Lawmakers press Department of Revenue on property tax relief fund balance and fire company allocation
Loading...
Summary
Members of the House Appropriations Committee questioned whether a proposed $1.057 billion homeowner relief allocation still leaves a multi-billion-dollar fund balance and asked why $30 million is earmarked for fire companies rather than additional homeowner relief.
Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee asked the Department of Revenue on March 11 whether the governor’s proposed homeowner property tax relief allocation leaves a large closing balance and why the budget includes a modest transfer to volunteer fire companies.
Representative Brown (speaker 21) noted the governor’s proposal to allocate $1.057 billion for homeowner relief and asked whether the fund would still show a balance of more than $2 billion after disbursement. Secretary Brown (speaker 2) said he would confirm the exact closing balance but explained the department’s focus is on the sustainability of the fund across the out-years and noted the fund also supports property tax and rent rebates.
Representative Nelson (speaker 24) criticized a longstanding practice of directing a portion of gaming-derived property tax relief dollars to fire companies, asking: “Why is the governor pitting fire companies against property owners?” Secretary Brown said the allocation to fire companies has been bipartisan and longstanding since gaming proceeds first supported relief and that the legislature and governors historically approved modest allocations for community organizations.
The exchange underscored differing priorities among members: some urged using any surplus to expand direct homeowner relief, while the administration emphasized maintaining a sustainable balance and preserving the fund’s dual role in rebate programs. Brown said the department would perform further forecasting to assess potential additional disbursements.
No formal decisions or transfers were made during the hearing; members signaled they would continue to press for clarity on balances and potential reallocation options during budget negotiations.
