A Republican state lawmaker wants to eliminate property taxes for financially strapped senior citizens who own their homes free and clear. Representative Bill Kidd, of Independence, says too many fixed-income seniors are burdened by higher property-tax obligations than what their mortgage payments were.

Kidd’s proposal would authorize the phase-in of a 20-percent reduction in seniors’ property taxes annually over five years to equal 100 percent.
However, the measure would reduce money for public schools statewide by between 75 and 300 million dollars. Branson Superintendent Brad Swofford says finding money for public education is hard enough without the burden the bill would present.

Kidd, who has filed his proposal twice before, is confident the bill will move further toward passage in the next legislative session.

—MISSOURINET