(STATEHOUSE) Feb. 17, 2009 - If Reps. Tim Neese (R-Elkhart) and Jackie Walorski (R-Jimtown) have their way, sales of cargo trailers and recreational vehicles to out-of-state consumers would be exempt from state gross retail tax. House Bill 1490, authored by Rep. Craig Fry (D-Mishawaka), unanimously passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday. The two Elkhart County legislators have authored similar tax credits for recreational vehicles for the past three years. In each year, however, the Senate failed to pass the bill after it had been successful in the House. "This bill will help the RV business draw customers from out-of-state and stay competitive," said Rep. Neese. "The industry is important to many people in Elkhart and northern Indiana, and this bill will help stimulate Indiana's economy in these hard times." Reps. Neese and Walorski are more hopeful than ever the credits will be successful this year, considering Elkhart County's staggering unemployment rate. While both representatives have authored separate bills introducing the credit, Rep. Fry added Reps. Neese and Walorski as co-authors to his own version of the bill. "Northern Indiana needs this credit for RVs now more than ever," said Rep. Walorski. "This bill, if successful, will work hand-in-hand with the federal stimulus money to invigorate our economy and reduce the unemployment rate in our part of Indiana. "The RV industry affects so many people in Elkhart and Northern Indiana. We need to make sure it stays competitive, and this is the way to do it." -30- |
