Property Tax Plan Clears Key Committee

The House Ways and Means Committee took an unscheduled, unanimous vote today, approving Governor Mitch Daniels’ property-tax restructuring plan.  The committee did not consider any of the forty-eight amendments filed for the bill.  Committee chairman Bill Crawford of Indianapolis says instead, the bill will be considered by the full House next week.  Representative Steve Stemler of Jeffersonville says today’s vote, wasn’t an endorsement of Governor Daniels’ plan.

Crawford says the committee took lengthy testimony from the public during its hearings around the state.  The public cannot testify on amendments made before the full House.  The bill includes caps on property taxes for homeowners and businesses.  It would also use a one percent sales tax increase to offset revenue lost through property tax cuts. 

Committee Approves Tax Cuts for Model Homes

A bill approved by the House Ways and Means Committee today would five builders of show homes, such as those found in new subdivisions, three years without paying property taxes.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports. 

Daniels to Testify at Statehouse, Deliver State of the State

This week members of the Indiana General Assembly return to the statehouse to continue the short session.  Property taxes continue to be the focus of many committee hearings.  Also, Governor Mitch Daniels will play a very public role at the statehouse this week. He’ll deliver his State of the State address Tuesday and give his first ever legislative committee testimony on Wednesday.  Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Marianne Holland reports.