SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California voters could be asked during the November election whether homeowners age 60 and older should be exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residences.
This is the proposal of a ballot measure, just cleared by California’s Secretary of State to gather signatures in support.
Supporters say such a move would help seniors stay in their homes, but critics warn it could, on the contrary, devastate local government budgets.
If approved by voters, the measure would eliminate property taxes for eligible seniors who have lived in their homes for at least five years or have resided in California for at least a decade.
“We see the movement happening across the country,” said Rishi Kumar, the initiative’s proponent. “There are 16 states that have already done something to address the angst of seniors.”