House OKs bill giving break from overrides

Would let seniors over 65 apply for tax abatements

By Hillary Chabot, hchabot@lowellsun.com, Lowell Sun

BOSTON — Low- to moderate-income senior citizens could get a break from Proposition 2 1/2 overrides thanks to a bill passed by state representatives yesterday.

The bill would allow seniors 65 or older to apply for an abatement on their property taxes if they make $60,000 a year or less, provided the community approves it. The seniors would also have to ensure that their real-estate taxes exceed 10 percent of their receipts.

“The seniors who live in my towns should be entitled to an abatement,” said Rep. Jim Miceli, D-Wilmington. “It’s also a local option. It’s up to the locals to decide whether or not they want to adopt that law.”

Opponents of the bill argue that it’s an end-run around Proposition 21/2, a law aimed at controlling high property taxes.

“Senior citizens are our first line of defense on defeating overrides,” said Barbara Anderson, executive director for Citizens for Limited Taxation. “If they don’t have to worry about paying the additional taxes, they’d stay home and overrides would pass.”

Communities can get rid of the abatements whenever they want, which is why Rep. Colleen Garry, D-Dracut, voted against the bill.

“It could be taken back after the first year and those seniors would be hit with the increase,” Garry said. “It also doesn’t take into account those who are disabled on fixed incomes who aren’t seniors yet, doesn’t take into account low-income families just hoping to hold onto their houses.”

Anderson was instrumental in the passing of Proposition 21/2 more than 20 years ago. The law ensures that homeowner taxes don’t rise more than 21/2 percent of the last years’ tax unless the town approves an override.The number of communities pushing for overrides has skyrocketed in the past year as fixed costs have grown and state aid has stayed mostly level. Most of the overrides have not passed, however.

Many House lawmakers who represent communities where Proposition 21/2 is often pushed have voted against the bill, such as Rep. Bill Greene, D-Billerica, Rep. Tom Golden, D-Lowell, Rep. Dave Nangle, D-Lowell, and Rep. Robert Hargraves, R-Groton.

Rep. Charles Murphy, D-Burlington, Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover, and Rep. Miceli voted for the bill.

Anderson also suggested that the bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Ruth Balser, D-Newton, was filed to help pay for the $186 million Newton North High School. Balser denied the charge.

Similar bills have been introduced before, but have either died in the Senate or been vetoed by the governor.

“If we have to, we’ll go to the governor and ask him to veto it,” said Anderson.

Gov. Deval Patrick said he wants to review the bill.

“This is really the first I’ve heard about it, but we’ve had property-tax relief and reform in both of the budgets I’ve filed so far last year and this year,” he said.