Expect a legislator to introduce a state constitutional amendment that could freeze property tax levels for state residents when they become 65.

Sen. Roger Pine, R-Lawrence, told about 50 people Thursday night at the Dole Institute of Politics that he was unsure how far the proposal would get in the Statehouse but that a colleague was planning it as a way to address property tax relief for seniors.

Pine said he would have to look closely at the plan and how it could affect state revenue before making his own decision.

The legislative forum, sponsored by the Lawrence Branch of the American Association of University Women, was the same day Gov. Kathleen Sebelius introduced her proposed budget. Some legislators said the property tax relief proposal as a constitutional amendment would go too far.

“We live in a community. I’ve always felt that those who have an ability to pay to contribute toward the community’s needs, need to contribute regardless of their age,” said Rep. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City.

Holland said he was working on tax relief to help low-income senior citizens who feared being taxed out of their homes but that a broad measure would shift too much of the tax burden to someone else.

Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, said the state needs a better way to determine who would be most vulnerable to fluctuations in property tax.

Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, agreed that legislators need to address tax relief for senior citizens but also said comprehensive tax reform was needed to keep the state from relying mostly on property tax.

Genevieve McMahon, Lawrence, left, speaks with Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, after a legislative forum Thursday night at the Dole Institute of Politics. The forum was open to the public and allowed legislators to address proposals for 2007.

The legislators discussed a variety of issues, including health care and energy.

While discussing the state’s wind energy potential, Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, spoke briefly about the proposed coal-fired plant expansion near Holcomb that would send power mostly to Colorado.

“We would be far better off to focus on energy efficiency and really reducing our need and not having to build any new types of power. Then also if we are going to be exporting electricity, then focus on those investments in wind and wind turbines,” Francisco said and received applause.

Representatives Ann Mah, D-Topeka, and Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, also participated in the forum.