Law Commons^™

Insuring Floods: The Most Common And Devastating Natural Catastrophes In America, Christopher French

Journal Articles

Flooding is the most common natural catastrophe Americans face, accounting for 90% of all damage caused by natural catastrophes. Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, for example, collectively caused over $160 billion in damage, but only approximately 10% of the Hurricane Katrina victims and 50% of the Hurricane Sandy victims had insurance to cover their flood losses. Consequently, both their homes and lives were left in ruins in the wake of the storms. Nationwide, only approximately 7% of homeowners have insurance that covers flood losses even though the risk of flooding is only increasing as coastal areas continue to be developed and …

Insuring Floods: The Most Common And Devastating Natural Catastrophies In America, Christopher French

Christopher C. French

Land-Value Taxation As A Method Of Encouraging Growth In Baltimore, Michael Safko

University of Baltimore Journal of Land and Development

The events that occurred last May have left many residents of Baltimore wondering what can be done to rebuild their city better than it was before.1 One particular suggestion is the elimination of all current property taxes along with the implementation of a land-value tax (LVT).2 An LVT would tax property owners based on the unimproved land they own, rather than on the improvements and structures that have been built on the land.3 The argument follows that this method of taxation would incentivize property owners to develop their land, rather than leave it undeveloped so they can pay less in …