Senator proposes freezing property taxes for those over 65

The republicans in the state Senate who proposed erasing income taxes for Iowans under the age of 30 now propose freezing property taxes for Iowans over the age of 65. Senate Co-President Jeff Lamberti, a republican from Ankeny, says it’ll help seniors afford to stay in their own homes longer. “We want to make sure no senior in Iowa has to choose between paying their property taxes and moving out of their home,” Lamberti says. But if property taxes for seniors are capped, wouldn’t other property owners see an increase in their taxes for schools and other local government budgets? Senate Co-Leader Stewart Iverson, a republican from Dows, disputes that. “What it means is maybe the cities and counties don’t have as much money coming in as they wanted,” Iverson says. “But I think that’s it’s important that we don’t want to drive ’em out of their homes.” Lamberti says Senate Republicans also want to lift some of the restrictions on who may provide in-home or adult day care services so more Iowa seniors have access to care outside of a nursing home. Lamberti says that will save money for the state as it’s cheaper to help the elderly get care in their own home rather than more expensive nursing home care that they may not really need. Senator David Miller, a republican from Libertyville, says nursimg homes should be allowed to offer adult day care, too, within the faciility. “A lot more people could stay in their home if they had a place to go to during the day,” Miller says. The G-O-P senators also propose incentives for Baby Boomers who purchase long-term care insurance.