In the waning days of the General Assembly session, Republican state Senate leaders plan to take a final swing to push doubling homestead exemptions.
Last week, House Democrats were able to block a bill doubling the statewide homestead property tax exemption from $2,000, to $4,000 dollars. They say local governments would be forced to cut services and raise assessments to make up the shortfall.
But Republican Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers took issue with assertions from some Democrats that his party hasn’t done enough with property tax relief. He says instead of the homeowners tax relief grants which cost the state over $428-million, the homestead exemption should be doubled.
Last week, House Democrats were able to block a bill doubling the statewide homestead property tax exemption from $2,000, to $4,000 dollars. They say local governments would be forced to cut services and raise assessments to make up the shortfall.
But Republican Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers took issue with assertions from some Democrats that his party hasn’t done enough with property tax relief. He says instead of the homeowners tax relief grants which cost the state over $428-million, the homestead exemption should be doubled.
"We are stepping forward in cleaning-up what can only be characterized as a messy situation of granting property tax relief by sending a check to local governments...with real property tax relief in the form of increasing the homestead exemption statewide. We will be the party of cutting taxes, as we always have."
Rogers vowed to give House Democrats one more chance to pass the homestead exemption this week.
