As Howard County officials consider re-examining a senior tax-break law, the state legislature may soon weigh a similar tax cut for longtime county seniors.
“I think my plan is a better plan,” said Del. Gail Bates, R-District 9A, who plans to introduce the Howard County Aging in Place Act in the upcoming session.
Bates? legislation would give seniors over 65 and making less than the county?s median household income 30 to 50 percent off their property tax, depending on how long they owned their home.
“It really applies to people who have lived in their home for 20 years or more,” she said.
The County Council recently granted a 25 percent cut to seniors over 70 making less than $75,000. The current council is considering a task force to examine the law, which faced criticism.
Bates said she is aware of the county?s bill but that “they could go back and throw that one out, in which case there is nothing.”
Bates introduced the same cut last year, but it died when the legislators said it should be left up to the county. Howard County Council Chair Calvin Ball, D-District 2, is unsure how the state proposal would affect the county law.
“I am sure [Bates] will evaluate what is in place,” he said. “We are looking at a bill that we are evaluating today; she is talking about a bill that might be evaluated next session.”
