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. "With the motion to adjourn, House Democrats ignored the voice of taxpayers for the second night in a row," said Rep. Bill Davis (R-Portland). "House Republicans have tried time and time again to let the voices of Hoosiers be heard, and the majority leadership continues to refuse to listen. "I offered a motion (Tuesday) night to call down SJR 1 to the House floor, but the speaker refused to let me speak. Tonight, I offered a motion of protest for the speaker's not following the proper procedure with my SJR 1 motion. "Most Hoosier taxpayers wanted us to vote on the property tax caps tonight, but it doesn't appear they will get their wish." 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. "It is very distressing that the speaker did not allow SJR1 a hearing tonight, but House Republicans refuse to give up hope for Hoosier taxpayers," Rep. Davis said. "We will work that much harder to find another way to bring SJR1 to the House floor in these last two weeks. All Hoosier property owners deserve the certainty of knowing their taxes have a limit." The House must complete its work before the April 29 statutory deadline. -30- Contact Rep. Davis by e-mail at h33@in.gov; by phone at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing him at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. Those interested in receiving Rep. Davis' weekly e-newsletter may sign up at www.in.gov/h33. |
