Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2009
Sen. Reynolds discusses the killing of property tax cap
resolution with Sen. Debbe Leftwich, Sen.
Randy Brogdon and Rep. Mike Reynolds.
Oklahomans Denied a Voice on Property Tax Hikes
State Sen. Jim
Reynolds said he was extremely disappointed that Oklahomans
have been denied the opportunity to vote to slow increases on
their property taxes. Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said despite
the fact that Senate Joint Resolution 5 was approved earlier this
session by both the Senate and the House, it is unlikely that
the measure will be sent to the Secretary of State to be placed
on the ballot.
SJR 5 was sent to a conference committee after the Senate rejected
House amendments. While Senate conferees signed off on the final
version, the House members did not. Reynolds said it is unlikely
they will release the bill before the 2009 session ends.
“House Speaker Chris Benge must be credited with effectively
killing the bill. In doing this he’s denied seniors and
hard-working Oklahomans the opportunity to voice their opinion
on ever increasing property taxes,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds explained that in 1996, Oklahoma voters approved a five
percent cap on property value assessments. “The intention
was to keep the annual property tax increases under that cap,
but instead, numerous county assessors have raised property taxes
the maximum five percent each year.”
The lawmaker said if the situation remains unchecked, property
taxes will double about every 14 years. Reynolds said it is one
of the top concerns voiced by his constituents, especially those
on fixed incomes.
“This measure simply would have enabled the people to lower
the property value assessment cap from five percent to three percent,”
Reynolds said. “My constituents have been begging for relief.
I am devastated that we’re being prevented from doing anything
to help them this year. But this is not over. I’ll continue
to work through the legislative process, and if necessary we may
pursue an initiative petition.”
For more information contact:
Sen. Reynolds - (405) 521-5522
