Gordon seeks more funds for property tax refunds

Out of concern for constituents feeling the pressure, the Teton County delegation voiced its support this week for the line item in the governor’s 2025-26 biennium budget recommendation.

Gordon thanked Teton County lawmakers in his budget message for supporting the property tax relief program, which helped Wyoming residents struggling with rising property tax bills over the past three years.

In the last session, state lawmakers voted to expand the program but appropriated funding for only one year; Gordon is seeking funding for an additional two years.

“Voters will also have the chance to further reform property taxes in the upcoming election,” Gordon wrote. “We have made some progress on helping Wyoming families and those on fixed incomes survive this increased cost of living because this year, the Department of Revenue distributed $8.3 million to nearly 9,000 households.

“We delivered relief to people who needed it.”

Teton County saw the largest amount of property tax relief in the state after the tax refund expansion went into effect this summer, as county residents received a total of $1.57 million in property tax refunds. The amount made up close to 20% of the $8.26 million refunded in Wyoming.

This was largely due to the average 2022 median property tax being $8,486 in Teton County, as well as the 442 applicants approved. The average refund per application was $3,568.

Gordon said expansion of the refund program last year will help homeowners survive, but the 2023 second-quarter Wyoming Cost of Living Index is up 4.6% and housing inflation is up 6.1%. Expanding the program for the full biennium with $20 million would make a significant impact.

“I also look forward to working with legislators on a wise and forward-looking approach to property tax programs in statute,” the governor concluded on tax relief.

Rep. Mike Yin, a Jackson Democrat, said he applauded the governor’s desire to expand property tax relief. He said it was a short-term tool for immediate action on an issue that’s been affecting the Teton County community at large and pushing out residents.

But he said it hasn’t always been that way.

“My first year, we had to fight for just $2 million in the property tax relief program,” he said. “To see that we have $20 million now requested, I think that’s great.”

The same was said by Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, who sits on the Joint Appropriations Committee and will receive a budget proposal presentation from the governor in mid-December. He and former Rep. Andy Schwartz, also a Jackson Democrat, could barely get any traction in the past, Gierau said, and now there are more than 9,000 households taking part. He said it goes a long way, and not just for Teton County.

Rep. Andrew Byron, R-Hoback, said he believes this is an issue for more than 75% of Wyoming, and it’s been brought up at nearly every interim session committee meeting he’s attended.

The other freshman in the Teton County delegation has been working diligently on property tax issues, and she was excited to see the $20 million in targeted relief, which she called the most responsible approach currently available.

Rep. Liz Storer, D-Jackson, said other proposals to reduce property taxes would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars, whether that be a 50% exemption ballot initiative or a property tax cap bill via the Legislature.

At the end of the day, no matter the issue the budget addresses or appropriation made, she said sustainable tax policy in the long term has to be reevaluated.

This story was published on November 22, 2023.