Vote 'Yes' to afford tax relief to seniors

Tennessean.com
October 14, 2006

Any local government's tax structure should be rooted in fairness, and a referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot regarding property taxes demonstrates such fairness toward seniors.

Voters are urged to vote for the referendum, but they should do so with the full understanding of what the referendum will mean to tax debates in their communities.

It does not help that the proposed constitutional amendment has been mistakenly programmed in a truncated version on voting machines, with early voting about to begin. The state is working to give full notice to voters about the referendum.

The change in the Tennessee Constitution would allow cities and counties to freeze property taxes for residents 65 and older. If local governments take that opportunity, it would address the frequent concern that, when local property taxes are increased, it hits hardest among senior citizens who are living on fixed incomes. It's certainly a popular position to grant those citizens relief.

But special responsibilities will be heightened if seniors' property taxes are frozen. The loss of the revenue that would have come from those increases will have to be made up somewhere. Voters who choose to freeze those taxes for seniors must understand that the services and other obligations do not go away. A freeze on the property taxes of any segment of a community only puts additional burdens on other revenue streams. Responsible local governments will have to find those revenues in other ways.

It is also important for voters to understand that by approving the referendum it does not guarantee seniors' property taxes would be frozen across the state. The measure only allows cities and counties to take the step, not require them. And it is important for citizens to note that, even if the referendum passes, it would not mean seniors would no longer pay property taxes; it would only pave the way to keep them at their current rates.

A bright spot in the consequences of such a move is that when local governments are contemplating property tax increases, a measure that protects seniors could make their decisions much easier. People are getting squeezed financially on many fronts. This referendum addresses difficulties felt by seniors. It is a just, fair way of meeting that concern, as long as everyone understands the need to step up in other areas.