STATEHOUSE - House Democrats ran out on permanent property tax relief today before the GOP Caps Clock did.
Today was the deadline for the third reading of bills in the House. House Democrats voted to adjourn until Monday. Unfortunately, Tax Day came and went without Hoosier taxpayers getting their wish for permanent constitutional property tax protection.
According to a poll taken earlier this month by Public Opinion Strategies, almost three-quarters of Hoosiers support the permanent constitutional property tax caps. Political leanings are irrelevant, the poll showed: 66 percent of Democrats support the caps, 72 percent of independents support them and more than 80 percent of Republicans would like the caps adopted.
"Once again, the House Democrats ignored the overwhelming majority of Hoosier taxpayers," said House Republican Floor Leader Bill Friend (R-Macy). "The House Democrat leadership has rejected Hoosiers desire for permanent property tax caps. Many are not fairly representing their district's wishes.
"We have tried everything to have SJR 1 heard in the House. I don't understand what is so bad about saving taxpayers money. Speaker Bauer has emphasized his point of never giving permanent property tax caps a fair chance before the voters."
If the House had passed Senate Joint Resolution 1, already passed by a bipartisan majority of the Senate, Hoosier voters would have had the opportunity in 2010 to vote on whether to permanently include the caps in the Indiana Constitution. The property tax caps would limit bills to 1 percent of the property's assessed value for homesteads, 2 percent for residential rental property and farmland and 3 percent for other business property.
Without permanent property tax caps, Hoosiers lose the stability and certainty of knowing their taxes have a limit. Businesses do not have the predictability they need to plan budgets. Local governments do not have the incentive to find money-saving efficiencies in their operations.
"I am disappointed with session today," Rep. Friend said. "If we can find a way to bring SJR 1 to the House floor in these last two weeks, we will. Hoosiers deserve to know their taxes have a limit. We are not serving the public well so long as this goes on."
The House must complete its work before the April 29 statutory deadline.
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