Property tax measure could affect schools
Property tax measure could affect state schools

Comments Comment on this article7

By John Greiner
Published: March 6, 2008

A proposed constitutional amendment to reduce the cap on property tax increases on homes headed to the state House on Wednesday after winning state Senate approval.

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Senate Joint Resolution 59 by Sen. Jim Reynolds would lower the cap on property tax increases on homes from 5 to 3 percent.

Reynolds' proposal would require a statewide election and approval of voters to make this constitutional change in property taxes. It would not affect the 5 percent cap on business properties, said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.

Under current state law, a county assessor can increase the value of a home by up to 5 percent a year.

Property taxes are based on the assessed valuation of a home.

Schools fear funding impact
Public school officials holding a news conference at the state Capitol said this proposal could reduce revenues to schools by $25 million if it became law.

"Firstly, do not forget this is for homestead,” Reynolds said. "This is for every Oklahoman who said, ‘I choose to live in Oklahoma.'”

Also, it is fair and responsible to let voters speak on the issue if it passes the Legislature, he said.

Several Democrats spoke against it, saying it will affect economic development efforts.

They said education is a major factor in economic development and will lose money under this proposal.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, said senators always are talking about fixing roads and bridges in their counties, but this proposal would reduce money for county roads.

"We're going to continue to erode the revenue base in this state. How can we be serious about recruiting jobs?” he said.

Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne, said, "We have less money this year to appropriate than last year. Why? Because of tax cuts. This is just another in a line of continuing tax cuts.”

He said people don't mind paying taxes when they get services, but this will affect state employee raises, teacher raises and other agencies, he said.

The measure now moves on to the House of Representatives.


 


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Just how much do they want out every dollar earned. Their way of thinking has to end. I am sick of hearing about this and that on education. Let's get some relief on taxes for a change. I've had to tighten my budget, and now it is time for these ignorant lawmakers to do the same. Tired of all their whining.
dennis, oklahoma city - Mar 6, 2008 at 11:32 am
Lets extend the tax after the 15month Ford center face lift for the schools,teachers,ect might as well they will find another way to extend it anyway
sheila, Oklahoma City - Mar 6, 2008 at 10:13 am
sheila, Oklahoma City - Mar 6, 2008 at 10:11 am
When property taxes go up, it makes my house payment go up . So I do not give a damn if the teacher gets their raise I would like to be able to keep my house. If the democrats can't see where this can cause financial hardship on a family then they need to cough up the money out of their pockets & quit digging in mine.
Jimmy, Sandy Shores - Mar 6, 2008 at 10:04 am
The bill might be unconstitutional -- remember, the lottery amendment has a provision which forbids the legislature from reducing revenues to the schools based upon lottery income. Now, I'm sure the legislature isn't dumb enough to make a finding to that effect, but that may very well be the case.
Kevin, Oklahoma City - Mar 6, 2008 at 9:26 am
Just like a liberal to say an annual tax increase will "reduce revenues to schools by $25 million".
c, Oklahoma City - Mar 6, 2008 at 8:35 am
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Just like a politician to twist a 3% increase into a tax cut.
B, Oklahoma City - Mar 6, 2008 at 8:24 am
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