NATIONAL
Bed Bath & Beyond store closures make room discount retailers
Morning Brew
In the wake of the company's bankruptcy filing, Bed Bath & Beyond is closing all 360 of its locations (and all of its Buybuy Baby stores). But those giant, fluorescently lit buildings will be filled soon enough as retail landlords are swimming in potential tenants.
Repurposing and revitalizing empty mall spaces for civic use brings them closer to creator's original intent
West Central Tribune
By all accounts, Victor Gruen grew to despise the very thing for which he was best-known — being the creator of the American indoor shopping mall — a staple of the suburban lifestyle from the 1960s through the early 2000s.
COLORADO
Property tax relief bill expected early next week at state Capitol
CBS Colorado
The state legislature is in the final stretch. The general assembly adjourns May 8 and there are still hundreds of bills left on the calendar. One major piece of legislation yet to drop is a bill to address new property tax assessments that show increases of 30%,40%, and 50% in some cases.
INDIANA
Legislature backtracks, offers property tax relief
Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana's Senate stripped out the House's solution to high property tax bills more than two weeks ago. But on Thursday, lawmakers reversed course, offering up what they said was more than $100 million worth of property tax relief in compromise provisions.
KANSAS
Kansas lawmakers adopt property tax break for restaurant, child care and fitness club businesses
Kansas Reflector
The Kansas Legislature sent Gov. Laura Kelly a bill bundling elements from more than a dozen bills, including a property tax exemption for fitness, restaurant and child care businesses able to demonstrate they were in direct competition with operations of state or local government.
MICHIGAN
Walmart shoppers fear ‘devastating' million-dollar bill protest as entire city sues retailer over 'dark store' theory
The US Sun
A city has sued a retail giant due to shoppers' fears of a bill that allegedly threatens the livelihood of other establishments. The "devastating" million-dollar bill has reportedly incited small protests in Houghton, Michigan, and several cities around the United States have called out Walmart on a "dark store" theory.
TENNESSEE
Tenn. ALJ Says Leased Property Tax-Exempt on Federal Lands
Law360
A Tennessee local assessor can't levy tax on a construction company's leased personal property because the company was contracted by the U.S. government to do work on federal land, a Tennessee...
TEXAS
Texas House bill rewards companies at expense of our schools
Beaumont Enterprise
After the Texas Legislature allowed a controversial corporate property tax rebate known as Chapter 313 to expire last year, House Speaker Dade Phelan vowed lawmakers would return to Austin this year with a better plan to lure big business to the state.
Brazos County property tax appraisals expected to increase by 20 percent
KBTX
Property appraisals started hitting Brazos County mailboxes on Monday. Residents may be surprised when they see the values of their property increase by around 20 percent this year. This is a larger jump compared to 2022 when it was just 15 percent. Brazos County Appraisal District Chief Appraisal Officer Dana Horton says this year's appraisals are a sign of today's economy.
WASHINGTON
Why King County is facing a $100 million revenue shortfall
king5.com
King County leadership is warning of a $100 million revenue shortfall by 2025 due to a limitation on property tax collections. The county expects the shortfall to impact the 2025-26 general fund, which could impact programs and services supporting the region's health and safety.
King County voters approve Crisis Care Centers Levy
king5.com
King County voters have approved a levy that will create a network of five crisis care centers with an increase in property taxes. County canvassing boards will certify and transmit election results on May 5. KING 5 called the race Friday. Approval of the levy received 57% of the vote.
Washington legislators change tax exemption income levels for seniors, disabled homeowners
Spokane Public Radio
This session Washington lawmakers expanded who is eligible for property tax exemptions. Spokane County's assessor says some Spokane County residents could benefit. The state grants tax breaks to seniors with low incomes and to disabled homeowners, including veterans. The income levels differ from county to county. In Spokane County, people in those categories who make less than $40,000 a year qualify.