House Passes Immediate Relief and Permanent Reform
HB 1001 and SJR 1 Pass General Assembly
STATEHOUSE (March 14, 2008) — Hoosier taxpayers will see immediate property tax relief, and the process for permanent property tax reform is under way. The Indiana General Assembly adopted a property tax plan that includes most of the House Republicans’ 10 Standards for Success.
The immediate relief is in the form of homestead property tax credits at a  statewide average of almost 30 percent, $1 billion removed from property taxes, strict caps on property tax rates and controls on public spending.
Permanent reform is contained in Senate Joint Resolution 1, which begins the process of adding permanent rate caps to the Indiana Constitution.
The vote on HB 1001 was 82-17, and the vote on SJR 1 was 79-20.
“House Republicans began this session determined to bring Hoosier taxpayers immediate relief and permanent reform, and we built our Standards for Success on that foundation,” said House Republican Leader Brian C. Bosma (Indianapolis). “Throughout the legislative session, House Republicans presented solid policy ideas and worked with other caucuses to make this the strongest property tax plan in a generation.
“Most of our Standards for Success are included in this legislation, including immediate property tax relief for homeowners, statutory caps for property tax rates and giving taxpayers referenda to control local spending. And we are on the way toward permanent constitutional property tax caps through Senate Joint Resolution 1. This plan is a home run for every homeowner.”
House Bill 1001, which was based on the House Republicans’ Standards for Success and Gov. Mitch Daniels’ property tax blueprint, empowers voters to control local spending through referenda, and it closes spending loopholes and improves oversight on local budgets.
These are highlights of the property tax plan:
Help for Hoosier homeowners. The plan features $620 million in immediate relief for 2008, $1 billion removed from property tax levies, referenda that empower voters to control or allow spending and a constitutional guarantee of property tax caps. There also is $140 million of relief in 2009, and $80 million of relief in 2010.
Help for all Hoosier property-tax payers. Cut now and cap forever. The plan, in addition to immediate relief, forwards the process of permanent caps through a constitutional guarantee of property tax caps. SJR 1 begins the process of permanent caps of 1 percent of assessed value for homesteads, 2 percent for rental and agricultural properties and 3 percent for business and other property.
Help for local governments. The plan, at the county level, removes from property taxes the costs of four child-welfare levies, juvenile incarceration and health care for the indigent. At the municipal level, it removes the remaining pre-1977 police and fire pensions from property taxes, and it includes support for police and fire services.
Help for Hoosier schools. The plan removes school operations and special education preschool costs from property taxes. It also includes $120 million in circuit-breaker relief and $400 million in tuition reserve fund money.
Help for low-income Hoosiers. The plan includes an overall decrease in taxes for low-income taxpayers, renters’ deductions, caps for low-income senior-citizen homeowners and earned income credits.
HB 1001 now goes to Gov. Daniels, who has expressed support for the plan.
SJR 1 will be presented to the next General Assembly. If the same version passes that Legislature, it will be placed on the statewide ballot for all Hoosier voters. If they approve it, the caps will become part of the state Constitution.
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