Senior Citizens’ Homestead Exemption Bill Passes Senate Unanimously

March 31, 2006

NASHVILLE --- Senior Citizens’ Homestead Exemption legislation, sponsored by Senator Mark Norris (R-Collierville), passed the Senate unanimously Thursday, moving senior citizens one step closer to property tax relief.

Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 1, first introduced by Senator Norris in 2003, calls for a referendum on amending the Tennessee Constitution in November 2006 to allow property tax relief for Tennesseans 65 years of age and older.

“I believe Tennesseans deserve the opportunity to vote on this important issue and that our senior citizens should not be forced to choose between paying for property taxes and other necessities such as prescriptions,” Norris said.

Norris read a letter he received on the issue in 2003 from an eighty-one year old Collierville resident named Ellen Chambers.

“She wrote that these changes could save her from having to sell her home after her property taxes increased by nearly $1,000 in seven years,” Norris said. “We haven’t been able to reach her since then, but I hope Mrs. Chamber is well and didn’t have to sell her home.”

The Constitution requires that proposed referenda be adopted in two, consecutive General Assemblies to be placed on the ballot in the next Gubernatorial contest. Norris passed the Resolution by overwhelming majorities during the 103rd General Assembly.

“Those on fixed incomes are hit hardest because they do not have extra income to pay the increased tax assessed upon the appreciated value of their home,” Norris said.

Upon passage through the House, the measure will be placed on the ballot in the next Gubernatorial contest this November.

Mark Norris Official Web Site

Mark Norris Personal Web Site

Tennesse Senate Republican Caucus

Senator Mark Norris
303 War Memorial Building,
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0232
Phone 615-741-1967
1-800-449-8366

Email: Sen. Mark Norris