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State Rep. Joyce Mason tells Zion council Clean Energy Jobs Act is meant to deliver property tax relief
Summary
State Rep. Joyce Mason, author of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, told the Zion City Council the law was written to deliver property tax relief and nearly $15 million annually to support local taxing bodies; she urged clarity after recent media reports and answered questions from council members.
State Representative Joyce Mason, who helped craft the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CJA), told the Zion City Council on June 18 that the legislation’s intent was always to provide property tax relief and additional funding to local taxing bodies.
"This money is coming from state legislation that state legislators passed," Mason said, asserting that the legislative intent "has always been to provide substantial property tax relief to the people of our community." She said she negotiated language to ensure Zion received funding, including property-tax relief for residents and businesses, and described nearly $15,000,000 per year expected to flow into her community.
Mason introduced Andrea Hall, a new community-outreach staffer in her office, then described her work passing the bill and efforts to target funds toward schools, police, fire, parks and other local services. She said the legislation also includes programs to advance renewable energy and create jobs in the clean-energy sector.
The presentation was prompted by recent local reporting and public questions about what the law requires. Mason said questions and criticism should be met with facts and respectful dialogue. "Anyone who tells you differently is simply not being honest with you," she said, calling for clearer public discussion and offering to provide follow-up information to local officials and school boards.
Council members thanked Mason and asked that a copy of her statement be added to the meeting minutes and shared with the school board and superintendent. No formal council action followed the presentation; members instead used the time to request clarification and ensure the legislative intent is communicated to local taxing authorities.
What’s next: Council members said they will include Mason’s statement in the record and requested the representative attend a school-board meeting to explain the law’s intent to local educators and administrators.
