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---Forwarded Message---

From: Alexandra Hunt

Subject: How can the City Controller Tax the Rich?

Date: May 4, 2023 at 3:33 PM EDT

To: [email protected]

Dear John,

Ever since we announced our run for City Controller, I’ve been holding my breath on the hopes that after winning this election I’ll be able to bring a bit of justice into the corner of everyday people of Philadelphia.

I have a phrase I like to use - bringing democracy through the back door. As City Controller, I can come up with creative and clever ways to "tax the rich" by simply holding the wealthy accountable for taxes they owe.

The city budget is composed of tax dollars and a lot of it is brought in off the backs of working people who could use some of those tax breaks that seem to be in abundance for the wealthy. The Philadelphia School District is notoriously underfunded - we’ve had multiple schools close due to asbestos issues. Schools and classrooms have had to merge and high schoolers have been coming up to me and asking if I understand the pain that they feel being neglected and treated this way and if there’s anything I, as City Controller, could do to help.

They deserve a bold, brave, creative answer and I’ve got one. The GOP has kneecapped the School District and the Philadelphia School District is unable to raise its own revenue. The Mayor and City Council passed the Homestead Exemption to reduce Philadelphians’ real estate taxes. So where can we find the money?

It’s everywhere - it’s just protected by special interests.

For example, "nonprofit" organizations like the University of Pennsylvania have been abusing their tax exemption and not paying real estate taxes. Per a Supreme Court ruling in 1985, they have to pass a 5-point test to qualify for exemption from real estate taxes. All five parts of the test must be satisfied. Tower Health has several suburban hospitals that are now subject to real estate taxation after a recent ruling by the state court. No previous City Controller has had the courage or knowledge to send these "nonprofits" a bill, but I do. As City Controller, I will make sure these "nonprofits" pay real estate taxes.

And if they refuse? I'll take them to court.

For too long, Philadelphia has had a corrupt city government that looks the other way while people suffer as the rich and wealthy corporations make money off the backs of our struggle. I'm in this fight for the long haul and I'm prepared to build this movement from the ground up.

I hope I can get your support now. We are 13 days from Election Day. Will you invest in this campaign for City Controller with the understanding that this sets precedent for bringing a wealth tax to the national stage?

Yours in the fight,

Alexandra Hunt, MS, MPH, ACRP-CP

Democrat for Philadelphia City Controller

Alexandra Hunt is a public health researcher, a girls’ soccer coach, an advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, and a community organizer. 

She's the daughter of two teachers and a sister to a twin brother with a learning disability. Seeing the systemic obstacles her brother faced inspired Alexandra to become an advocate and challenge barriers on the basis of race, gender, class, and ability.

Now, Alexandra's running to be the Philly's next City Controller because the people in Philly work too hard for too little. And right now, line items in budgets create lines for food and health care. It's time to elect a City Controller who is going to prioritize the needs of the communities Philly's money comes from.

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