A look at the senior tax cut proposal

Lawmakers are pushing a bill that would let cities and towns exempt senior citizens earning less than $60,000 a year from the overrides. Supporters say the bill is a tax break for seniors, but critics say it is just a way to help push through property tax increases.

The bill links the tax breaks to the property tax override itself, and that is irking some critics, who say the bill is just a way to entice seniors to look the other way.

"Seniors are our first line of defense against overrides," said Barbara Anderson of Citizens for Limited Taxation. "Senior citizens are defeating these overrides, and they are trying to give them a reason not to vote."

The idea is generating chatter on local blogs, including Blue Mass Group.

One Blue Mass poster writes:

"I've worked on three property-tax overrides in my town. It's not that I like paying taxes, rather because the services the taxes pay for are important. There is not an override proponent who, if handed a windfall or other solution that would fund these services, would say, Oh no! Now we'll never get to raise taxes!

Am I surprised that Barbara Anderson is against these tax cuts? No, but her honesty--usually concern for the poor seniors is the first crocodile tear shed when schools need cash--is noteworthy."