Senator Alers pitches optional 1¢ sales-tax to offset county property-tax share

Senator Alers told the Senate Finance Committee he was presenting an “alternative host” vehicle that would allow counties, if voters approve, to add a one‑cent sales-tax option to eliminate the county portion of homeowners’ property-tax bills.

“They’ll add a penny to the sales tax to basically eliminate the county portion of their home taxes,” Senator Alers said, describing the measure as a tool some counties could use to shift revenue streams away from property tax. He said the provision would require voter approval and that he included a 10‑year sunset to guard against future misuse.

Committee members asked how broadly the option would apply and whether it included a direct dollar-for-dollar rollback; the sponsor said the measure includes a roll‑back mechanism and noted that not many jurisdictions would actually be eligible under the bill’s structure. Members also discussed effective-date mechanics: without an explicit effective date, a law would generally take effect July 1, and a local ballot on the measure would be scheduled for the next applicable election (the sponsor said that, if adopted, it would appear on the November ballot).

A motion to advance the sales-tax vehicle was made and seconded; the committee approved the vehicle by raised‑hand vote, recorded as unanimous in the transcript (exact roll-call counts not provided). The committee adjourned after this action.