Prop 130 would restore Arizona property tax exemptions for disabled veterans

PHOENIX – Proposition 130 asks voters to amend the Arizona Constitution in order to restore property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.

“This proposition is fixing the wording in the Constitution and then also giving it back to the state Legislature to be able to make future amendments in terms of increases in qualifications, dollar amounts, etc.,” Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar said.

No arguments against Prop 130 were submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.

“You have everyone from … the Arizona Tax Research Association to Pima County Democrats, Coconino County Democrats supporting it,” Benatar said.

“It’s across-the-board bipartisan support for this. Individuals are supportive of this. It makes sense and, honestly, it’s something that’s long overdue.”

The measure, which was referred to the ballot by the Legislature, would allow property tax exemptions for resident veterans with disabilities, widows and widowers regardless of when they started living in Arizona. Exemptions lower a property owner’s tax burden.

A previous veteran exemption was found to be unconstitutional by the Arizona Court of Appeals in 1989 because it only applied to veterans who lived in Arizona before entering military service.

“There’s been a lot of efforts though the years to clean up the Constitution to make that correction so that veterans are able to benefit from the exemptions that are written into the Constitution for them,” Benatar said.

Benatar, who serves as first vice president of the Arizona Association of Counties, said the number of people that would benefit from passage of Prop 130 is significant.

“It’s over 110,000 veterans who would benefit from this if the change is passed,” she said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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