Jay, You are correct about the drain on taxes, but consider that all of these employees will be spending money here, and sales tax revenue will spike. Fees in lieu of taxes are important here also. Having Hopkins is better than a Wal-Mart. PS-- Zurich was a lousy corporate citizen

Hopkins role in the economy is more far reaching than what it can quantifiable bring in terms of tax revenue dollars.

Property is just one single fixed asset investment class

The collective presence of collaborative researchers, research federal grants, and human manpower/brainpower that Hopkins brings to B-more is undescribable.

// The collective presence of collaborative researchers, research federal grants, and human manpower/brainpower that Hopkins brings to B-more is undescribable. //

So, what if they still did all that stuff, AND paid property taxes to pay for the infrastructure that we all use, but only some of us pay for?

It's disappointing that so many people can't see the forest through the trees when it comes to nonprofits in Baltimore City. The good that they provide goes far beyond the "services" offered.

The economic impact of nonprofits is tremendous--from salary to personnel (which includes payroll taxes that go directly to the City) to direct business expenses (which also often include taxes that go to the city--like the tax on phone lines).

And not to mention the number of people that Hopkins employs who are property owners in the City. In that way can you imagine what would happen to the property tax revenue if Hopkins weren't here?

The City's line that nonprofits need to help shoulder some of the burden to help close the budget shortfall and pay for more of the services they enjoy is totally off base. If nonprofits in Baltimore weren't here to do the work they do, the City would be obligated to cover it, and just see how much it would cost.

You could argue that taxing business is counter-productive because of all the benefits businesses produce, such as giving people jobs that in turn pay taxes. However, I don't think too many people would argue that a business shouldn't pay property tax. Corporate taxes maybe, but property taxes.

As to non profits provide services that the city would otherwise have to provide, I think that depends. Something like Our Daily Bread I would agree with. Johns Hopkins University probably not. Catholic Relief Services, which provides international aid, definately not.

Finally, as to taxes paid by nonprofits, telephone and energy taxes are very small. Local government is mostly about three things: property taxes, income taxes and state aid. As noted the non-profits aren't paying property taxes. State aid to local government (not schools but local government) has been largely eliminated this year and next, and it may never come back. So that leaves income tax. Income tax is collected where the person lives not works, so the city only sees revenue from a fraction of the non-profit workforce.

I think Hopkins is good for Baltimore, but the Zurich building will simply condense offices they have throughout the city, so I don't see how this will add to the tax base, spending, etc as the one person suggested.

Your swooning over the 25th Street Station development is getting nauseating. We get it already that you support the project. Anything could happen in 10 years, so trying to connect Zurich sale into support for the Walmart project is pretty uncreative. You won't have to live by the thing, so why don't you leave the 25th Street Station discussion to those who do.