Seniors Demand Preferential Tax Treatment.

We received this email from Bob Jackson of AARP Texas:

There's some incorrect information going around about what's on the ballot in May 2012. An email has been circulating warning voters that the homestead tax cap for people 65 and older is up for a vote. This isn't true.

The May election will not include a repeal of the homestead tax cap for seniors.

Here are the facts: In 2006, The Texas Legislature passed a law reducing property taxes for all homeowners. However, the legislation left out senior and disabled citizens whose property taxes were already "frozen." As a result, seniors and people with disabilities didn't receive the same reduction until, with your help, AARP Texas urged the Texas Legislature to fix this in 2007. That May, Texas voters passed an amendment extending property tax relief to seniors and disabled Texans.

This problem was solved five years ago. There’s no constitutional amendment election scheduled in Texas next month. Seniors and disabled Texans can rest easy, knowing their homestead tax cap is not at risk.

Please help us fight the misinformation. Forward this to ten friends or family now.

Here's luridtransom's response:

Dear Bob,

Thanks for passing this along. We believe the homestead tax cap for those 65 and older should be limited to the first $500,000 of a homestead's appraised value. Do you agree? Look, we don't want to force seniors out on the street. But at the same time, it makes no sense for the rest of us to subsidize the opulent mansion lifestyles of Millionaire Seniors, does it? Please let us know if you agree. And feel free to explain your position all you want. America's blog audience is waiting anxiously for your reply.

Regards,
luridtransom