Want less sprawl and more urban infill? Try a land value tax!

A conversation with Greg Miller of the Center for Land Economics and Kitty Klitzke of the Spokane City Council.

First covered Jul 10, 2026 · 3:16 AM PT · 1 article

Coverage

1d Volts (David Roberts) Want less sprawl and more urban infill? Try a land value tax! — A conversation with Greg Miller of the Center for Land Economics and Kitty Klitzke of the Spokane City Council.

Primary sources

sightline.org Vibrant Cities Act Policy Explainer Sightline Institute 12 2025 (sightline.org)

More coverage from around the web

spokesman.com 'Everybody works but the empty lot': Some Spokane leaders eye property tax reform to promote building

spokesman.com Most Spokane homeowners would pay less tax under reform proposal. Here's who would pay more

landeconomics.org Center for Land Economics | Center for Land Economics

seattlered.com Spokane considers land‑value tax pilot program reform

kxly.com Spokane City Council explores land value tax model to promote community growth | News | kxly.com

Discussion

Bluesky: @volts.wtf David Roberts · 1d ago · 126 ♥ Today on Volts: Property taxes combine a tax on land value with a tax on the value of the buildings on the land. The latter discourages building and encourages land speculation. Shifting the tax to the former -- a "land value tax" -- produces better land use.

Appeared in: 2026-07-11 (#20)

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