Property Tax Caps Clear Major Hurdle Rep. Borders optimistic that caps will pass this session STATEHOUSE-Constitutionally protected property tax caps passed a significant hurdle today in the House of Representatives, in spite of House Democrats filing three amendments in an attempt to delay passage of the caps. The property tax caps constitutional amendment, also known as House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1), passed today on second reading, without amendments, and will be eligible for third reading and final passage on Monday. "There's no doubt that the Amendments that the majority offered would have derailed the property tax caps," said Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville). "Our state's constitution makes it clear that a constitutional amendment must be the same one offered by the previously elected legislature. "By amending HJR1 the majority party would have made the property tax caps protection null and void. I'm glad we defeated their amendments, and we'll now charge forward in providing property tax protection for our Hoosier friends and neighbors." -30- In response to the property tax crisis that homeowners experienced in 2007, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation in 2008 that capped homeowner's property taxes at one percent, rental and agricultural property at two percent and business property at three percent. The bill passed with an 82-17 vote in the House and 41-6 vote in the Senate. House Republicans pledged to add this reform to the Indiana State Constitution. In order for a new provision to be added to the state constitution, it must be passed by two separately elected General Assemblies as well as the public before it can be amended to the constitution. In the 2010 legislative session, House Republicans look forward to supporting HJR 1 and giving Hoosier voters the opportunity to decide whether permanent property tax caps should be added to the state constitution. If the constitutional amendment to permanently cap property taxes passes both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly during the 2010 legislative session, Hoosiers will be able to vote on this issue in the November 2010 election. |
