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Proposition 7 on April Ballot Touches Military Widows’ and Widowers’ LivesProp 7 would provide property tax relief for spouses of soldiers killed on active dutyRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - For most people, home is where the heart is. And for Theresa Dayton it's no different, even without her other half. Dayton’s husband Master Sergeant Tom Cicardo with the Alaska Air National Guard, was one of four killed in a C-17 crash that happened back in July of 2010 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Since then, life has been anything but easy, especially financially. “To live on 20 percent of the income that I had prior to his death is an incredible feat,” said Theresa Dayton, widow of Cicardo. Dayton works part-time, and receives a monthly military stipend that will run out in five years. She won't qualify for her husband's pension until she's 62. She’s one of many widows or widowers who struggle to keep their homes. “It’s the only thing I have left that was his,” she said. Dayton is supporting Proposition 7 on the April municipal ballot, which would give a widow or widower of a person killed while on active duty a property tax exemption on the first $150,000 of their home. Assemblymen Dick Traini thinks the proposition is important so people who call Anchorage home won't be forced to leave. “There’s a few people this will affect every year; the vast majority of people here either live on base or rent or lease, because they don't know if they’re going to stay here,” said Traini. Anchorage Assembly Chair Debbie Ossiander said the measure is too broad and could end up costing taxpayers a lot more in the long run. But for Dayton it’s not about the money. “My family lives on this street, my sister and my brother live on this street, and so I have family right here,” she said. If the proposition is passed on Tuesday, it will still have to be approved by the Alaska Legislature before it can go into effect. |
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noway said on Friday, Mar 30 at 10:55 AM
How about we not do this. I feel for these folks, but giving them a special exemption is like handing out a WIC card. Someone else has to pay for the their share when the service are reduced or other taxes have to be raised in order to cover the loss from this exemption. BTW is it retroactive?
86024913Raven33 said on Friday, Mar 30 at 12:25 PM
To Noway... If someone else has to pay more to make up for what these spouses have lost than good! It'll mean that we all can give back to these people that are willing and DO give their life for thier country. Military members give their life and loved ones follow them all over the world sharing the burden of military sercvice. This can be your way of serving the service member and his/her family!
86033955Big Dan said on Friday, Mar 30 at 12:56 PM
It is pretty obvious noway was never in the military, and has no clue what active duty members and their spouses go through. I would say make the whole value of the home tax exempt.
86037565Tax said on Friday, Mar 30 at 2:25 PM
Get rid of proerty tax all together, Sales tax and spread the pain.
86046486Kevin S said on Monday, Apr 2 at 1:54 PM
This is the only proposition I'll be voting for.
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