(STATEHOUSE) Jan. 30, 2008 - Property tax reform in Indiana took a blow Tuesday night as House Democrats refused to hear House Joint Resolution 1, the bill containing constitutional property tax caps for homeowners, rental properties and businesses. "I am shocked that the House Democrats killed both the elimination of residential property taxes and the Defense of Marriage amendment last night and adjourned," said Rep. Woody Burton (R-Greenwood). "The constitutional cap is the only way to ensure that property taxes never get out of control again like they did last summer. "I am disappointed Hoosiers will not have the right to vote on these issues. It is obvious the Democrats never intended for that to happen. When House Bill 1001 passed out of this chamber, it was clear a constitutional amendment was part of that deal. The Democrats did not hold up their end of the bargain." HJR 1 would have amended the Indiana Constitution to cap property taxes for homestead properties at 1 percent, rental properties at 2 percent and commercial properties at 3 percent. House Bill 1001, the property tax reform package, passed the House last week in a 93-1 vote, and HJR 1 was set to ensure that property tax cuts remained permanent. |
