Every so often, a story comes along that reminds us of what’s at stake in our shared civic life. The recent article about the wide gaps in Baltimore’s property tax bills is one of those reminders (“ Wealthy Baltimore homeowners underpay on property taxes while poor overpay, studies find ,” Nov. 1). It’s a sign that something in our system of funding city services isn’t working the way it should.

What we’re seeing is a reflection of deep inequities. This imbalance is felt most acutely in the Black Butterfly, where decades of redlining have hollowed out neighborhoods, leaving blocks of vacant homes beside those still struggling to hold on. Much like the divide between vacant and occupied homes, those with the least often end up carrying the greatest burden.

Fixing that imbalance will tak

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