Prime Minister Dr Kieth Rowley says the UNC's legal challenge on property tax put the local government reform initiative on standby because the revenue that it would generate was going to be the lifeblood of reform.
But he told party supporters at the Exodus panyard in Tunapuna that the PNM will be bringing back the tax.
Kamla Persad Bissessar meanwhile said the UNC will not.
But Dr Rowley said the Opposition is making the property tax out to be a bad thing when it is done in most developed nations.
Dr Rowley said the revenue from the tax is to be used to pay for goods and services in regional corporations such as road maintenance, municipal police, drainage maintenance and garbage collection.
He said the UNC will again use its 'axe the tax' slogan this time around but he said the people of Trinidad and Tobago are right-thinking citizens who know that if you want services you have to make a contribution.
Dr Rowley said every time the government tried to do of value, the UNC blocks it.
He said part of local government reform would mean that regional corporations will have the authority to choose who will be there garbage collector and the UNC blocked it.
The prime minister said just days ago the government won that matter in the court and now regional corporations have that authority.