Renters’ Credit Bill for Elderly Stalls in Senate

Legislation boosting the renters’ tax credit for low-income elderly people while stripping it from couples earning more than $50,000 a year and singles making at least $40,000 stalled Wednesday in a Senate committee.

The bill, by Assemblyman Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles), fell two votes short of the five needed for passage in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. But Roos was immediately granted permission to have the measure reconsidered at the committee’s meeting this week.

After the hearing, Roos said two of his fellow Democrats who did not vote Wednesday “are so excited about doing something for renters” that they may put the concept into another measure.

Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) confirmed that he and Sen. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), chairman of the committee, believe that the idea for supplementing the renters’ credit ought to be included in one of two other bills also moving their way through the Legislature. Garamendi could not be reached for comment.

Lockyer said the concept might be added to a bill to make California’s tax laws conform with the federal system, or it may be included as part of a larger rebate due taxpayers because state revenues have exceeded a constitutional limit on spending.

Roos’ bill would increase the credit by at least $114 for people aged 65 or older who earn no more than $6,720 a year and spend 60% of their income on rent. The credit now is $137 for married couples, heads of households and surviving spouses and $60 for other individuals.