The Government is here to HELP YOU! You just don't understand! Hurricane Sandy damaged homes in New York City see property-tax assessment increases in spite of damage

This is Lincoln's Birthday, Fat Tuesday and Fat State of the Union Agenda Day all mixed into one. 
This shark-like behavior is endemic in local and all levels of government. There is is chronic drive to seek more "rateables." Rateables are the items listed in the tax rolls to be taxed at the generally increasing annual, local tax rate. Most localities base their tax rates on the revenue needed to be raised to pay for their annual budget. The problem with this is governmental budgets are rarely based on responsible budgeting. These budgets should be called wish and spending lists. The spending list is developed and the tax rate is determined to pay the amount of the desired spending.

Tax Thief-in-Chief

A proper budget should be based on what was the basis for spending from the prior year (excluding special or emergency spending). Controlled spending has to be based on past requirements, not on added laundry lists for desired items. Proposition 13 in California in was based on that proposition. It worked for about two decades before it was completely undermined by its return to profligate, uncontrolled spending, a long string incompetent  Governors, including Davis, Schwarzenegger and the disastrous return of Gov. Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown (who was the Governor in the late 1970s when Prop. 13 was the Ballot Initiative passed and enacted, in part due to his spending at that time).
In all these cases tax rates are a serious case of  the "tail wagging the dog." 

The tax assessments should have been adjusted to reflect the loss and damages to the improvements of the properties affected by Hurricane Sandy. Unfortunately, the taxpayer will have to take the initiative and make application for reduced assessments. It is rare that the local government will act to reduce assessments for damaged properties on its own initiative when faced with loss of potential revenue. m/r

EXCLUSIVE: Hurricane Sandy damaged homes in New York City see property-tax assessment increases in spite of damage - NYPOST.com

• By RICH CALDER
• Last Updated:  February 11, 2013
• Homeowners in an exclusive waterfront enclave in Brooklyn thought Hurricane Sandy was as cruel a blow as they could suffer — until the taxman proved them wrong.
  The city is claiming that property values have actually shot up for many homes in Manhattan Beach and it’s going ahead with hefty tax hikes for the houses devastated by the October superstorm, shocked property owners told The Post.
  Homeowners in other neighborhoods hit by Sandy, including Coney Island, the Rockaways and parts of Staten Island, also said they’ve received increases.
  “This is totally insensitive and heartless,” said Ira Zalcman, president of the Manhattan Beach Community Group, which has received more than 30 complaints from residents about the hikes.
  -go to link-