Mar. 19--Supporters of property tax reform filled the Capitol rotunda Wednesday afternoon in support of a Senate resolution that would cap the annual property tax increase at 3 percent.

Holding signs saying "How do you spell relief? Property Tax Reform," and other slogans, nearly 60 people filled the rotunda to show support for Senate Joint Resolution 5, filed by Sen. Jim Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. The rally also included a man dressed as a pig, standing next to a banner that read, "Don't Pig Out on Our Taxes."

SJR 5 passed the Senate and now moves to the House. Now, property tax hikes are capped at 5 percent. Reynolds said in some parts of the state, property taxes under this formula have more than doubled in 14 years.

"Property tax relief is due for Oklahomans," he said. "It affects everybody, senior citizens, baby boomers and newlyweds."

The measure also has the support of some Oklahoma County officials. County Assessor Leonard Sullivan said he is in favor of the cap.

The 5 percent cap on property taxes has saved Oklahoma County taxpayers nearly $500 million since 1996, Sullivan said. Property taxes only increase by 5 percent when the overall amount of annual property sales increase.

Oklahoma has had a 5 percent cap on property tax increases since 1996, when voters approved a state question that put the property tax cap in place.

District 2 Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan also attended the rally in support of a decrease in property tax increases.

"The county has enough money; we can afford the decrease," he told the cheering crowd.

Rep. David Dank, R-Oklahoma City, said he was in favor of freezing property taxes for seniors and encouraged the crowd to talk to their elected officials about Reynolds' resolution.

"We need a ground swell," Dank said. He said he plans to donate his legislative salary to help efforts to cut property tax increases. Representatives get an annual salary of $38,400.

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