Senate Democrats Support Taxing Seniors Millions, Despite Voter Approved Amendment

McNulty Calls on Senate Democrats to Stand-up for Senior Citizens

DENVER—In a release issued by Senate President Brandon Shaffer’s, D-Longmont, office, Democrats in the Colorado State Senate took aim at Speaker of the House Frank McNulty today, for standing up for senior citizens during this economic recession. 

Last week, McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, announced that House Republicans would not suspend the voter approved Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption to balance the budget in 2012, resulting in $100 million in tax relief for many Colorado seniors.  Later in the week, a House Democrat leader told the Pueblo Chieftain that he aligned with McNulty’s position, and did not favor suspending the homestead exemption. 

“Colorado’s senior citizens, especially those living on fixed incomes, have been hit hard during this economic recession,” said McNulty.  “If Senate Democrats want to balance the state budget on the backs of Colorado’s seniors, that’s their business.  For our part, House Republicans will stand with Colorado’s senior citizens and say ‘no’ to more taxes on Coloradans affected so much by this recession.” 

In 2000, Colorado voters added the senior homestead tax exemption to the state constitution.  The amendment allows homeowners 65 and over who live in the same primary residence for 10 years to exempt 50 percent of a home’s market value of up to $200,000 when calculating their property tax.

Colorado Commission on the Aging member State Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, added:

"I am sorry that the political rhetoric with regard to the Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption has become such an issue. I thought it was appropriate for the Speaker to address the Colorado Commission on Aging concerning the discussion as it is of interest to seniors.

“I do not recall the Speaker ever asking the Commission for an endorsement. My observation was that it was only informational. Further, none of us in the Legislature speak for the Commission. However, personally I feel that our senior population, particularly those living on a fixed income would benefit from a reinstatement of the exemption. Therefore, I hope serious consideration is given when we enter into our budget balancing negotiations." 

Since 2000, the General Assembly has suspended the homestead exemption six times.  That doesn’t sit well with seniors citizens like, James Hague of El Paso County. 

“Being a senior citizen is not easy in times like these; tax relief for us that didn’t exist before will certainly be helpful to me,” said Hague, a retired Chief Warrant Officer Four in the Army, who served in Vietnam.  

Republican members of the House feel strongly about helping Colorado’s senior citizens, added Rep. Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster.    

“Coloradans passed the property tax exemption to help seniors and heroes like Chief Warrant Officer Four Hague,” said Ramirez.  “I’m proud to stand with House leadership, as we work to fulfill our constitutional obligation to senior citizens.” 

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