TUCSON, Ariz. — Paying property taxes after retiring may be difficult for some to keep up with. But one new initiative, aiming to be on the 2020 ballot, is looking to make it easier for those over 65 to stay in their homes longer.
Its called the American Dream Act Arizona. The proposition was officially filed with the Arizona secretary of state in December, and supporters are now hitting the pavement to collect 360,000 valid signatures.
"We think this is a great way to help people stay in their homes, because it is an expense that has no relationship whatsoever to the ability to pay," said Lynne Weaver, Prop 13 Arizona chairman.
American Dream Act Arizona aims to get rid of property taxes on the primary residence of those over the age of 65.
"Our property taxes keep going up and most seniors have a social security check, maybe a 401(k), and they're having trouble keeping up with the property tax increases. So it is a problem and this is how we decided to address it," said Weaver.
Weaver says instead of going through foreclosure or selling and resorting to renting, this proposition will allow the state's senior citizens to stay in their family homes for as long as they financially can without worrying about rising property taxes.
"This is actually a very popular proposal that we're making. And its non-partisan because people on both sides of the aisle have that problem with paying property taxes or their parents have or know of someone that has. It does have pretty good appeal, and we're very confident of getting it on the ballot. But we have a lot of work ahead of us, that's for sure," said Weaver.
However, counties like Pima County, depend on those taxes for all the services it provides.
Here is a break out from the Pima County web page:
