Property tax break for elderly to be decided by voters

By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II, Tennessean.com and WSMV.com
April 6, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee voters will decide in November whether property tax increases for elderly homeowners should be halted when they turn 65.

The House voted 95-1 Thursday for a constitutional amendment that will allow voters to consider the measure. The Senate unanimously approved the proposal last month.

The passage is a victory for not only the elderly but lawmakers who have been pushing the legislation since a similar law enacted by the Legislature in 1979 was found unconstitutional.

"It's been a long road," said Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville. "I'm very grateful the House approved it on third reading today."

A measure must be approved by successive assemblies of the Legislature for a constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot. Both chambers passed the measure in 2004.

When placed on the ballot in the fall, the proposal has to be approved by a number of voters equal to the majority of those casting ballots in the 2006 governor's race to become part of the Tennessee Constitution.

If approved by voters, the amendment will allow county and city governments to freeze the assessed value of homes owned by elderly residents. But it wouldn't necessarily apply to all homeowners, because the Legislature could set income limits for those who receive the break.

Several states allow such tax relief for the elderly.

Tennessee House Majority Leader Kim McMillan believes the amendment will be a popular issue on the ballot, which will also have another amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

"I think senior citizens will very much appreciate the opportunity to have local government enact this kind of program," McMillan said. "Even those that haven't reached that level yet feel it's an important way for the government to give something back and recognize the important contributions senior citizens make to their communities."

However, Rep. Brian Kelsey, the only dissenting voter Thursday, said the proposal shouldn't just apply to senior citizens.

"I think we need to keep the property tax low for everyone and not just people over a certain age limit," said the Germantown Republican.

Nevertheless, 72-year-old Tracy Speake said residents his age are grateful for the amendment because many of them live on fixed incomes and can't afford property tax increases.

"We have a great number of people in Tennessee who are being hit with an amazing amount of increased property tax," said the Germantown resident, who headed a senior citizen commission to support the issue.

"This gives us an opportunity to see how people feel."

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