A Pittsburgh City Council debate on senior citizen tax breaks turned into a shout-fest this morning, ending in another delay for the long-stewing legislation.

Councilman Patrick Dowd has been trying since March to eliminate the requirement that low-income seniors reapply annually for their city property tax freeze. At the urging of other council members, he expanded his bill to rewrite the rules of the program, which now allows homeowners 50 and over to get the freeze, raising the age threshold to 60 to comply with state law.

Even though current recipients ages 50 to 60 would be grandfathered in, the change drew the ire of Councilman Jim Motznik. The council veteran, who won a May primary election to become a district judge, repeatedly opposed any move to bring the city into line with state law if it made 50- to 59-year-olds ineligible.

"So it's not in compliance with state law. Big deal," he said. "I don't give a damn if [the tax break] is illegal or unconstitutional if it supports the poor people of the city of Pittsburgh."

"You can stand here or sit here and grandstand about working for the poor," said Mr. Dowd. "I have waited patiently. I have been so patient on this bill, and I will continue to be, but before this year is done -- God damn it, if you want to talk that way -- this bill will pass."

Mr. Dowd said he will work with city lawyers to ensure that the bill makes the program legal.