Senate approves constitutional change giving elderly tax relief
NASHVILLE (AP) — Senators overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday that would change the state constitution to grant property tax relief to the elderly, but it was only the first major step on a long road.
The resolution sponsored by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, still must go through the House committee process and be approved on the floor before lawmakers adjourn this spring. Then it would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the next two-year General Assembly before it could go to the voters in 2006.
It would allow county and city governments to freeze the assessed value of a homeowner’s property at age 65. But it wouldn’t apply to all elderly homeowners, only to those under an income limit set by the Legislature if the constitutional amendment is approved by voters.
“Senior citizens have contributed so much to society over the course of their lifetimes. They should never be forced to choose between paying taxes or paying for the critical necessities of life like prescription drugs,” Norris said.
Several states allow such tax relief for the elderly.
Lawmakers had approved a similar law in 1979, but it was struck down as unconstitutional the following year by a Shelby County court. In 1989, Monroe County officials tried to implement a similar tax relief program but it was declared unconstitutional by the state attorney general.
Ellen Chambers hopes Norris is successful in his effort.
The 81-year-old Collierville resident wrote him a letter saying that it could prevent her from having to sell her home. She said she’s been living on a fixed income since 1997.
“I have no savings, no emergency funds, so when something breaks down, like my furnace 3 years ago, I had to take out an equity loan against my paid-for home to pay for it,” said Chambers, who has lived in the home since 1988.
She said her property taxes have increased by nearly $1,000 in seven years.
“I am now at the point of having to consider the possibility of having to selling my home! But where to go? … Since I can still take care of myself, I would rather not have to live with my children. But the property taxes are putting my living costs in jeopardy,” she said.
“I certainly wouldn’t mind paying my fair share, but just this year, my property taxes went up $120.”
The resolution was approved 30-0, with Sen. Douglas Henry, D-Nashville, casting a vote showing him to be present but not voting.
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Read SJR71 at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us