The American Dream

Most of our ancestors came to this country because of economic or religious freedom. A key component of that dream is the thought of property ownership. That ownership may consist of a house, land, or a business. Since the beginning of recorded history, governments have levied taxes against the value of property that individuals own. Other taxes like income and sales have arrived to supplement property tax.  However, property taxes have not only survived, but seemed to have grown over time. Kansas now ranks as having the 14^th highest property tax in the nation.

The goal of owning a home is realized by about two thirds of the people who live in Kansas. That percentage is declining slightly every year. Part of the reason that home ownership is becoming more difficult is the rising property taxes associated with increasing valuations. Coupled with flat or increasing mill levies overall property taxes have increased faster than inflation. The two counties I represent have worked diligently to keep budgets down so that property taxes do not increase. This makes home ownership more affordable; however, it doesn’t help enough to keep elderly homeowners on a fixed income from being overwhelmed by the portion of their retirement required to fulfill the tax burden levied against their long-term ownership.

The legislature this week started working on property tax initiatives designed to alleviate this perennial issue. Senate bill 402 combined several previous pieces of legislation into a program called the “Kansas Golden Years Homestead Property Tax Relief.” This legislation would adjust the value of a senior citizen or disabled veteran’s home appraisal that would be primarily exempt from property tax. Individuals who make less than 120% of the federal poverty level are eligible for this relief. The qualification amount will be adjusted every year for inflation. Once an individual meets the qualification, increases in their home’s valuation will not disqualify them. Similarly, their residency will not be revoked because of long-term absence due to medical or emergency situations. Senate bill 402 passed the senate, I voted for it, and now it will be up to the House and the Governor to make it law.

We have several proposals that will help the general population deal with the hardships put on them by property tax that makes realizing the American Dream more difficult.  In the meantime, we need to address the issues that our most vulnerable citizens are faced with. For example, those who are unable to seek employment to compensate for tax increases struggle with their finances.  The Kansas Golden Years Homestead Property Tax Relief Act should help those individuals maintain that dream through the remainder of their lives.