Maryland tax sale process must change to stop harming Black residents

The U.S. Supreme Court granted cert in January for a case arguing violations of the Fifth Amendment due to unlawful taking without just compensation by the government and the Eighth Amendment for excessive fines and fees (Tyler v. Hennepin County). The case based in Minneapolis challenges the government’s ability to seize a property because of delinquent taxes, and profit from any remaining equity. The case stems from a tragic circumstance, when Geraldine Tyler fell behind on her property taxes of $2,300 in 2010. By the time all penalties, interest and fees were added in 2015, she owed $15,000.