STATEHOUSE -Rep. Woody Burton (R-Greenwood) rallied today in support of passing permanent property tax caps to bring certainty back to Hoosier homeowners. "The citizens of Indiana are challenging us to finish what we started," said Rep. Burton. "Hoosiers are demanding House Democrats and Speaker Bauer to let Senate Joint Resolution 1 be heard to give them a voice on property tax caps. SJR 1 will not only cap property taxes and provide certainty to homeowners, but it will also stabilize a home's value during a time when homeowners need the most assurance." House Republicans are urging the legislature to pass constitutional property tax caps, which would make the current caps permanent. Property tax caps set residential property taxes at one percent of the property's value, while farmland is capped at two percent and commercial property taxes are set at three percent. "Passing property tax caps would also protect and encourage homeownership in Indiana." The Indiana Senate has passed a resolution to make the caps part of the Indiana constitution. House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) has not yet decided if the Indiana House will hear the legislation. The rally was held by the Hoosier Property Tax Alliance. The alliance is comprised of citizens and corporations who encourage property tax reform that preserves and grows Indiana's economy, helps homeowners and is permanent. The group is also concerned with fairness and government accountability in property tax policy. To drive home the point that property tax caps need to be considered now, House Minority Leader Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) has installed countdown clocks in his office and outside the House of Representatives chamber. The clocks count down the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until it's too late to pass property tax legislation in the 2009 session. Rep. Burton encourages his constituents to contact him with any questions or comments concerning this legislative session. Contact Rep. Burton by phone at 1-800-382-9841, email to h58@iga.in.gov or write to 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
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