North Carolina Senior Democrats

Many seniors now are being faced with increasing property taxes and their incomes have become fixed with no way of paying those increased costs on their homes. They are quickly becoming house rich and money poor. The COLAS are lagging behind because of runaway price increases and cannot keep up. Over the years the seniors have worked longer than any other group to pay for their homes while blazing a trail for those who are coming in behind them. This issue is a growing problem not only in our state but also across the nation.

May 3, 2007

Follow-Up Letter to the General Assembly

Except for the current NC Homestead Act, the NC General Assembly has NOT been friendly to seniors. The NC General Assembly has passed legislation to help seniors into nursing care facilities mostly by attaching their homes and other monetary assets. We all know that wipes out most of them if the senior remains in the nursing care facility more than three years. Tax deferments cannot help because that also attaches their homes in a very short time. Seniors deserve better than that.

House Bill 1917

AN ACT TO FREEZE THE APPRAISED VALUE OF THE PERMANENT RESIDENCE OF CERTAIN SENIORS AND TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO PERMIT A LIMITATION ON THE INCREASE IN THE APPRAISED VALUE OF CERTAIN RESIDENCES

My understanding is the General Assembly is considering putting forth a referendum asking the voter to amend the Constitution to authorize the General Assembly to limit the growth in the assessed value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying owner.

The North Carolina General Assembly unanimously passed House Bill 1499 on Wednesday, June20, 2007. Legislative Chair for North Carolina Senior Democrats, Shirley Wiggins of Gaston County announced today.

This bill short title An Act to Increase the Homestead Exclusion”, gives to NC seniors who are 65 years or older and those who are permanently disabled a property tax break if their yearly combined income is $25,000.00 or less. This cap will provide property tax relief for 80,000 or at least 8% more of the senior population in this state. This bill will help the lower middle class seniors who are now known as the “the working poor”.

Congratulations Senior Democrats!!!!!!!!!!

The NC Senior Dems has just changed the law regarding the Homestead Act on this day, August 2, 2007.  Our bill passed with a unanimous vote in the General Assembly today.

The Governors signature will make it law.

Dear Representative:

Beginning January 1, 2008, seniors 65 years of age or older or the permanently disabled CAN call their local tax office and ask to be qualified for property tax breaks.