Idaho Senate gets bill to keep older owners in their homes

By KEITH RIDLER
Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A proposal to expand a property tax reduction to higher valued homes that backers say will keep older, low-income Idaho residents in their homes is headed to the full Senate. The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee approved the bill Tuesday. The bill alters a law passed last year by increasing the maximum value of a home that qualifies for the property tax reduction program, called a circuit breaker. That will allow more low-income homeowners to qualify for the property tax reduction. Several county assessors told lawmakers that making the change would allow many older homeowners with limited incomes in their counties to remain in their homes despite soaring home values and rising property taxes.