AUGUSTA (AP) – A pitch to keep Maine families from having to leave their longtime homes because they can’t afford skyrocketing property taxes failed to persuade enough senators Thursday to pass a constitutional amendment that seeks to ease the burden.

The 22 Senate votes fell two shy of the number needed to send the amendment on to voters for final authorization. The bill, submitted by Gov. John Baldacci, remains alive in committee for possible action later in this year’s session.

The amendment, which accompanied a major property tax relief bill enacted two weeks earlier, would allow municipalities to limit changes in tax rates applying to properties that remain principal residences.

Democratic Sen. Dennis Damon of Trenton said the amendment seeks to preserve the fabric of small Maine communities where property values are being ratcheted up as part-time residents buy and develop neighboring lots.

The measure would enable towns to address situations “where valuation is rising to such levels and with such rapidity … that families are being forced from their homes because of their inability to pay property taxes,” said Damon.

In many cases, families are forced to sell properties they’ve occupied for generations, said Damon, adding, “We’re trying to save families.”

But Sen. Richard Nass, R-Acton, said the proposed amendment is no easy fix.

“The reality of this is that this is a shift” to taxpayers with less income and fewer assets, said Nass.

Sen. Peter Mills, who has also been prominent in legislative tax reform debates, acknowledged that the amendment could bring about a shift, but said the state allows similar shifts benefiting those who own woodlands and farmlands.

Mills, R-Cornville, added that the amendment – if approved by voters – does not mandate any action by municipalities or Legislature to limit property tax rates.

“All this does is say you, the Legislature, may have the authority to begin these discussions,” said Mills.

Despite Thursday’s 22-13 vote, that and three other proposed amendments remain alive after being sent to the Taxation Committee.

The governor was pleased, noting that the amendment he submitted and one aimed at keeping a lid on values of waterfront land used for commercial fishing activities won big enactment votes in the House and came close to passing in the Senate.

“Changing the Constitution should be taken seriously and the governor is pleased the Legislature is taking their time,” said Baldacci spokesman Lee Umphrey.

The other two amendments that remain alive seek to allow municipalities to adopt property tax assistance programs that reflect residents’ ability to pay, and to exempt from property tax a portion of the value of homesteads.

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