Vote to decide senior tax aid

Plan would allow property tax freeze

By Richard Locker, The Commercial Appeal
April 7, 2006

NASHVILLE -- Tennesseans will vote Nov. 7 on a state constitutional amendment allowing cities and counties to freeze property taxes for homeowners 65 and older.

The House of Representatives voted 95-1 Thursday to send the amendment to the ballot. It joins another constitutional proposal up for ratification: to prohibit same-sex marriage in Tennessee, which is already banned by state law.

The tax proposal was sponsored by state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Reps. Tre Hargett, R-Bartlett, and Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville. It passed the Senate 33-0.

If it's ratified in November, the state legislature could pass enabling measures -- as early as next year, Norris said -- authorizing local governments to freeze property tax bills on the primary residence of taxpayers 65 and older.

For example, a homeowner whose property tax bill is $3,000 the year he turns 65 would continue to pay $3,000 as long as he owns the home, despite rising property tax rates and property values. But improvements to the property could increase its taxes proportionally.

The amendment gives the legislature authority to set an income and wealth ceiling on eligibility after the amendment passes. The state already administers a property tax-relief program for elderly homeowners whose household income is $12,980 or less, but Norris said the freeze will likely be available to higher income households.

"This is the culmination of many years of effort and it's an answer to the prayers of so many seniors who have been looking for some hope of relief," Norris said. "Now the campaign begins to educate the public to make sure they understand this opportunity to change our constitution to address these special needs. These folks are forced to choose between paying their taxes or their prescriptions, and that's not a choice Tennessee seniors should have to make."

Hargett explained on the House floor that lawmakers will have to set up parameters of the program next year. "It will have to be the primary residence and local governments will have to opt in to participate. It won't be mandatory."

Rep. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, cast the only "no" vote, saying the program could raise property taxes for others. "This amendment could theoretically freeze property taxes for people making $200,000 while raising them for people making less than that because it doesn't specify any income level."

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