In this essay you are mainly focused at the local level. Notice that you are reading pieces addressing property taxes, local finances, housing markets, and trying to figure out how they all fit together-which is what I want you to do in this assignment.

You will notice how the housing market affects property taxes and, in turn, that affects school district budgets. Property taxes are a major concern at the local government level. One of the pieces you will open shows you how much local governments depend on the property tax.

As a result of working your way through these readings, what can say about the financial squeeze placed on local governments (which also means placed on school districts)? You will see how much local governments and school districts rely on the property tax. How do you look at the housing market in the context of these readings? What you think the future (maybe the next few years) holds for local governments and school districts?