What's better for workers than a higher minimum wage? A tax on vacant land and unoccupied premises. A higher minimum wage discourages hiring (even if, as some say, it doesn't encourage firing). But a vacancy tax on residential property makes the owners get residential tenants, so that the asking rents must be within reach of wages, while a vacancy tax on commercial property makes the owners get business tenants, who in turn will need workers, leading to higher *market* wages and more stable jobs.
What's better for business than a lower minimum wage? A tax on vacant land and unoccupied premises! A vacancy tax on residential property keeps nearby residential areas populated with prospective customers and workers, while a vacancy tax on commercial property keeps nearby business premises populated with complementary businesses, which will attract foot traffic to *your* business (and provide services for nearby residential properties).
Moreover, a vacancy tax is good for general taxpayers because *avoiding* the vacancy tax requires economic activity, which expands the *bases* of other taxes, allowing their *rates* to be lower!
And of course a vacancy tax is good for real-estate agents because it generates more rental-management fees or (if owners decide to sell rather than let) sales commissions.
