Rep. Slager’s legislation helping Calumet Township signed by Governor
STATEHOUSE - State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) played an integral part in what had taken years to accomplish for Griffith. Rep. Slager joined Gov. Pence today for the signing of House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1585, which allows the town of Griffith to vote by referendum to opt out of Calumet Township in Lake County. “This law will result in lower property tax bills for Calumet Township and give tax relief to the individuals in our community who need it most,” said Rep. Slager. “I have been listening to the struggles of our community for years. As a former town council member, I know the difference this law will make in providing Griffith with the tools to continue to create a prosperous and thriving community.” HEA 1585 establishes maximum spending guidelines for the administration of township assistance. In the event that the township cannot achieve the established budget restraint by 2015, HEA 1585 will allow the town of Griffith to join a different township with a lower tax rate. The town of Griffith in Lake County is partially included in Calumet Township, and Calumet Township’s assistance tax rate is 22 times higher than the state average township assistance tax rate. Current law prohibits a town or city to remove itself from a township or apply to join a new township by referendum. In order for Griffith to remove itself from Calumet Township and apply to join a new township, residents must petition for a referendum, and the referendum must pass by a two-thirds margin. If the referendum passes, the town will apply to join an adjacent township. “This legislation will give Griffith the ability to have more control over its tax rate, giving our community more resources to grow. I will continue to fight for legislation that benefits our economic growth,” said Rep. Slager. HEA 1585 is coauthored by Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) and Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon (D-Hammond). -30-
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