Deevers Calls for Property Tax Reform, Joins Jett’s Property Tax Interim Study

OKLAHOMA CITY– Senator Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, announced Wednesday a partnership with Senator Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, on an interim study regarding property taxes in Oklahoma. The proposed study focuses on recent increases in ad valorem taxes assessed on property that potentially exceed the caps established by the people’s affirmation of State Question 676 in 1996 and State Question 758 in 2012.

SQ676 and SQ758 require that “the fair cash value of any parcel of locally assessed real property shall not increase by more than five percent (5%) in any taxable year” and “if such property qualified for a homestead exemption or is classified as agricultural land, any increase to the fair cash value of such locally assessed real property in a taxable year shall be limited to three percent (3%).”

It provides exceptions to the caps for years in which the property was sold or otherwise conveyed to another person, or when improvements have been made to the property.

“I hear more about property taxes from my constituents than any other issue, and for good reason,” Deevers said. “This is a fundamental issue that makes living in one’s own home difficult for Oklahomans, especially seniors and young families trying to buy their first home.

“This issue gets to the heart of what it means to be a free citizen. Permanently paying rent to the state is a fundamental alienation of the very God-given rights we swear an oath to protect. It is an egregious violation of the principles of liberty and private property for the state to extract ‘revenue’ in perpetuity from people simply for living in their own homes. Your property is not truly yours if the state can tax and take it.”

Around the country, especially among states that have recently achieved income tax reform, conservatives are turning to property tax relief as the next objective.

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong proposed in January a path to zero property taxes on primary residences within 10 years, using the state’s Legacy Fund to offset the revenue losses. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed in March a State Constitutional amendment for 2026 to immediately eliminate property taxes on primary residences in addition to a bill to give a $1,000 rebate to all Florida homeowners for 2025.

Wyoming citizens are leading a petition initiative to cut property taxes by 50% for all individuals who have lived in Wyoming for at least one year. The Republican Party of Texas has long called for the abolition of property taxes, with numerous state legislators introducing bills in recent years to do so and Governor Greg Abbott including property tax relief among his priorities for the current special session which began on Monday. President Trump has endorsed efforts to eliminate property taxes for senior citizens.

“I am honored to work alongside Senator Jett in this interim study. This is the direction the conservative movement is headed and Oklahomans need legislators who will not leave them behind citizens of other states while their fundamental rights are stripped,” Deevers said. “We must protect the promise of liberty for our people, and that means once again making it possible for them to truly own their own land.”

The interim study has been assigned to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee chaired by Senator Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and vice-chaired by Senator Deevers.

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