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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Beacon Center of Tennessee, an independent organization which provides empirical research and advocates for sound public policy in the state, is pushing a new bill which would require property tax hikes to be approved by voters.
Tennessee is one of only four states that does not have some sort of property tax cap, an issue quickly becoming more and more relevant to voters as property taxes across the state skyrocket and residents receive climbing tax bills.
Beacon Center President Justin Owen said taxpayers are being stretched thin.
“We’re raising revenue off the backs of hardworking people. If families have to live within their means, government should too,” he said.
According to Owen, the Center’s proposed bill would trigger a countywide referendum any time local officials want to raise property taxes.
“If you say it’s for something important then go convince voters to pay for it. That’s accountability,” Owen said.
The Beacon Center expects strong opposition from city and county lobbies and officials like Democrat Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell who is against a voter referendum and argues a limit on property taxes could cripple city services.
“With properties increasing in value as much as they did, we chose a tax rate that accounted only for the 5-year impact of inflation on the cost of government, which was 26%,” said O’Connell. “Further state limitations would devastate the ability to deliver even limited municipal services.”
Long time advocates for limiting property taxes and policies to encourage housing affordability, this is the latest of several pushes by the Beacon Center supporting legislation on the topic.
Their 2024 listening tour identified climbing property taxes as an issue across the state, and a Beacon poll from January of 2025 showed an overwhelming 81% of respondents support a statewide cap on property taxes.
That percentage reflected a 7% increase from 2024, where 74% of Tennesseans supported a cap. Only 17% of voters approved of the current system which allows mayors and local legislative bodies to determine increases.
At this point, there are no additional details on the tentative legislation, nor has a bill sponsor or title been mentioned for the Tennessee House or Senate on the measure, but the filing deadline for legislation will not close until after the 2026 legislative session begins.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
3 Responses
Property tax is rent payment to the state. It’s robbery.
My Lincoln County Property tax rose by 49% in 4 years. Absolutely ridiculous theft of taxpayers money!
Yeah, there’s been a ton of buzz about taxes in Tennessee lately—mostly cuts, relief programs in jeopardy, and big debates in the legislature as of November 10, 2025. TN is always prided itself on low taxes (no state income tax, remember?), but with revenues flattening post-corporate cuts, things are getting spicy.
Here’s the rundown on the hot topics:
Grocery Tax Elimination Push Republicans (like Rep. Elaine Davis & Sen. Bo Watson) filed bills (HB 21/SB something) to fully repeal the state’s 4% sales tax on groceries starting July 1, 2025 would save families ~$400/year avg. Dems like Rep. Aftyn Behn pushed similar (fund via closing corp. loopholes), but GOP flipped from holidays to full repeal support.
Gov. Lee? No dice in his $59.4B FY25-26 budget no grocery cut or holiday funded (tight revenues blamed). Bills competed but stalled; X is full of “end the grocery tax” vs. voucher fights.
Property Tax Drama Relief Program Crisis: State’s low-income elderly/disabled/vets program (~100K people) is broke needs $10M+ by spring or cuts coming. Lawmakers underfunded despite warnings; seniors/vets freaking (Davidson Co. reimburses most).
Blame prior corp. tax cuts shifting burden to sales/property.
Freeze & Relief Apps Open: For 2025 taxes (apply by April 2026), elderly/disabled income cap $37,530; vets no cap up to $175K value. Counties like Knox/Shelby matching state aid.
2026 Ballot Ban: Constitutional amendment to prohibit state-level property tax (dormant since 1800s) passed legislature voters decide 2026.
Chatter’s wild and posts roasting the GOP for corp. cuts while grocery tax lingers and seniors are/will suffer. Trump’s “make America like TN” got slammed for high grocery taxes/underfunded schools. If you live in TN, hit your rep. for relief deadlines are looming. Grocery repeal is dead for now, but 2026 session could revive. What’s your worry….. grocery, property, or biz taxes?