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Senate Democrat pushes back on 'tripling' property-tax claims, highlights rent-stabilization and credits for seniors
Summary
Jamie Peterson said claims that the property-tax proposal would 'triple' taxes are inaccurate and highlighted Senate Bill 5798's proposed full credit on state property tax for low-income seniors and disabled veterans; he said public discussion and sample-home examples will be used to clarify effects.
At a press availability, Jamie Peterson (speaking for Senate Democrats) defended the property-tax proposal under discussion and said the party will use public outreach and sample calculations to show how the plan would affect different households.
Peterson pushed back on repeated assertions that the proposal would "triple" property taxes, calling such characterizations "completely inaccurate and false." He said the state portion of property taxes is a relatively small share of a homeowner’s total bill and that most of the increases residents notice come from voter-approved levies and bond measures.
"There's a lot of demagoguery about, about that proposal," Peterson said, and later: "to get to $1,000 change, I mean, I think you have to be talking about a home that's probably worth, what, $5,000,000 at least?" He emphasized the caucus plans to publish sample-home scenarios to show the actual impact of proposed growth-rate changes.
Peterson also pointed to a provision in what he identified as Senate Bill 5798 that would, for qualifying low-income seniors and disabled veterans, provide a full credit on the state portion of property tax. He described that element as "significant tax relief" for vulnerable residents and said the caucus will look closely at how rates play out across districts.
The press availability included questions about public pressure related to the proposal; Peterson acknowledged Republican-organized public events pressing concerns and said members heard similar feedback during town halls. He said Democrats remain sensitive to affordability concerns and that rent-stabilization legislation moving through the process is meant to respond to those pressures.
Peterson signaled the Senate has made some adjustments to the rent-stabilization bill to build support — including shortening a sunset provision and adding a study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) — and said those changes have eased concerns among some members. He said further changes may be considered between committee and floor to address safeguards.
No formal motion or legislative action occurred during the availability; lawmakers described ongoing interchamber negotiations and next steps for committee and floor action.
