"We did what we said we were going to do, and that was to get to work right away," Rep. Crouch said. "We're not even a week into session and today we passed important legislation out of the House. I look for the Senate to take quick action in passing the bill through their chamber. All of this quick work means Hoosiers should get the opportunity to vote on making property tax caps permanent and constitutional in November." -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. 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. Today, I voted in favor of 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. |
