A proposed constitutional amendment aiming to pump the brakes on growing residential property taxes got an icy reception from legislators last week, who on Friday opted to postpone a vote on the complex proposal as a related court battle plays out.

Volunteers started collecting signatures earlier this month in the hopes of placing the constitutional initiative on the ballot in November. A court hearing is scheduled next week in a case that will determine whether the petition effort has gone through the proper legal channels, or whether the organizers of the petition drive might have to start over. A hearing in the case is scheduled to take place in Lewis and Clark County District Court on Jan. 24.