FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE					FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 
November 9, 2004			 		Leonard Sullivan or Larry Stein
(405) 713-1203 
(405) 361-9307 cell

                         State Question to Help Seniors 
                        Goes into Effect January 1, 2005

“Oklahomans overwhelmingly passed State Question 714 which will help ease the property
tax increases for senior citizens by increasing the income senior citizens can make to
cause a freeze on their assessments,” said Oklahoma County Assessor Leonard Sullivan.

“While some may wonder when the lottery or Indian gaming issues will start, assessors
around Oklahoma will begin immediately the process of getting updated information to
homestead property owners so they can begin saving money beginning on January 1, 2005,”
Sullivan said.

“The law still requires homeowners fill out a form to list total household income and
must be returned by March 15th, 2005 to be eligible, so watch your mailboxes,” Sullivan
explained.

“SQ 714 increases the income for senior citizens to be eligible for the assessment
freeze which limits property tax increases.  Prior to SQ 714 senior citizen’s property
valuation was frozen as long as the total household income was less than $25,000.
Passage of SQ 714 amends the Constitution to allow the valuation to be frozen when the
total household income is below HUD’s estimated median income for each county.  The 2005
amount in Oklahoma County would be approximately $52,200, statewide the proposal would
raise the qualifying income levels in every single county ranging from $32,600 in
Pushmataha County to $54,500 in Tulsa County,” Sullivan said.

“Passage of SQ 714 is a tremendous help to many senior citizens throughout Oklahoma.
This bill resulted from the Senior Citizens Summit in Oklahoma County last year where
senior citizen and non-profit groups were asked what the county could do to help them
stay in their home and maintain an independent lifestyle.  Oklahoma County helped write
SQ 714 and the issue earned the support of all 616 county elected officers statewide,”
Sullivan said.

“State Question 714 will provide some much needed property tax relief for our deserving
seniors,” Sullivan said. 



State Question 714 Passes
Effective January 1, 2005

--State Question 714 increases the income for senior citizens to be eligible for the
  assessment freeze which limits property tax increases  

--Right now a senior citizen’s property valuation is frozen as long as the total household
  income is less than $25,000
  
--SQ 714 amends the Constitution to allow the valuation to be frozen when the total
  household income does not exceed HUD’s estimated median income for each county 

--The income level will change each year to take into account inflation

--This amendment raises the qualifying income levels in every single county ranging from
  $32,600 in Pushmataha County to $54,500 in Tulsa County

--The 2005 income level in Oklahoma County would be approximately $52,100. 
 
--This will be a tremendous help to many senior citizens throughout Oklahoma to reduce
  property taxes 

--At the Senior Citizens Summit in Oklahoma County, senior citizen and non-profit groups
  were asked what the county could do to help reduce or eliminate property taxes 

--Oklahoma County officers helped write the question and 616 county elected officers
  statewide supported SQ 714