Amendment 2 Getting Far Less Attention

NewsChannel5.com
November 3, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Supporters of a Tennessee constitutional amendment that would help older homeowners are worried it will be overshadowed by a more controversial amendment to ban gay marriage.

The second amendment on the ballot would allow local governments to freeze property taxes for homeowners 65 years old or older.

But unlike the flashier gay marriage amendment, there aren't any radio ads running on the property tax question, and religious leaders haven't spoken for or against it.

Still, state Senator Mark Norris of Collierville, who sponsored the resolution, thinks Tennesseans should be aware and educated about this amendment as well.

Currently the state constitution prohibits discrimination when counties and city governments apply property taxes. The amendment would insert language that would allow local governments to exempt elderly homeowners from year-to-year increases in property taxes.