Some local lawmakers say property tax relief bill is flawed

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — You will get a break on your property taxes, but some lawmakers say the plan is flawed.

The Indiana House and Senate voted overwhelmingly for the plan. It would cut taxes by an average of 28 percent statewide. The plan caps taxes to 1 percent of a home's assessed value.

In St. Joseph and Lake counties, there will be slightly less relief, because the tax caps will not count against those counties’ debts.

The plan would mean the average St. Joseph County homeowner's property taxes would be capped at anywhere from 1.1 percent to 1.5 percent of assessed value, depending on the township. Elsewhere in the state, taxes would be capped at 1 percent.

Some local lawmakers voted against the plan.

See how members of the House voted on the property tax relief and reform plan.

See how members of the Senate voted on the property tax relief and reform plan.

Members of both parties voted against putting the tax caps in the constitution. They said it wasn't fair to not only give St. Joseph and Lake county taxpayers less relief, but also to make that disparity permanent in the state's constitution.

See how members of the House voted on the legislation to amend the state constitution to include limits on property tax bills.

Rep. Jackie Walorski objected to placing the debt exemption for St. Joseph and Lake counties in the state's constitution.

"House Bill 1001 is going to be changed. I guarantee you the St. Joseph County language will be changed next year, because the language is temporary," said Rep. Walorski, R - Lakeville. "I'm not going to vote for something you can't change if St. Joseph and Lake County are in there."

Democrats also objected to the plan, saying it is a tax shift, not a tax cut.

The plan would increase the state sales tax by 1 percent, and also give local counties the option to raise local income taxes.

Rep. Ryan Dvorak called the plan little more than an election year stunt.

“People voted for this knowing full well this wasn't going to work,” Dvorak said. “People need to grow up and be more serious about tax policy.”

Dvorak says lawmakers are already saying they will be back next year fixing what they did this year.

The plan does include money for school corporations that would lose revenue under the plan. The state would also assume a lot of the costs for which county governments are responsible. Lawmakers say that should cut property taxes even more.

Taxpayers will see property tax cuts this year. The bill placing the tax cuts in the state constitution would have to be voted on again next year. If it passes, it will be added to the Constitution in 2012.

Governor Mitch Daniels said late Friday afternoon that he will sign the bill on Monday.

Tuesday, Mar 18 at 8:18 AM Jerry DeMyer wrote ...

Keep an eye open for your new tax bills coming in the mail, folks, as your home value will be going up, to cover St. Joe County’s loss of revenue. Regardless of where you live in St. Joe County and what price range your home is in, the value of your home has been declining since 2004, but the assessed values have been steadily increasing. Make sure you look it over good and get a appraiser, or local Realtor to value your home, so you can file your appeal accordingly. Comments from Realtor.

Monday, Mar 17 at 6:28 PM James Cook wrote ...

Everyone needs to come to terms with the fact that most of our decent paying jobs and population have been leaving Indiana for generations. Same could be said for many of our surrounding, neighboring states too. Anyone unfortunate homeowners left behind in Indiana are shouldered with the responsibility of picking up the tab for our government making poor choices and spending money they do not have. No more excuses from our cities, counties and state for not knowing the word "Budget"!

Sunday, Mar 16 at 12:16 PM James Madison wrote ...

In the next elections, let's send them all a strong message and put all of them out of office, democrats and republicans alike. We are the only ones that can make a permanent change with our votes. Inform yourself and check out my links. http://www.in.gov/dlgf/pdfs/proptax/St_Joseph.pdf http://getrealindiana.net/extras/fixlocalgov.pdf http://getrealindiana.net/extras/Assessme.pdf http://getrealindiana.net/extras/GETREALQ.pdf http://getrealindiana.net/

Sunday, Mar 16 at 2:54 AM HH wrote ...

Everyone needs to write and call Bauer, Luecke and Rea and thank them for a job well done....Since we are living in St Joe county we can all pay off the debt the county has by ourselves...We don't want the state of Indiana helping to pay our debt like they will be doing in all the other counties in the state. But I will gladly help pay the Debt off in those other counties through my increased sales tax and county option income tax increase that will be coming very quickly. Well done guys

Saturday, Mar 15 at 11:50 AM john wrote ...

look at south bend tribune webb site.you will find p.bauers reletives are moving water softner bussiness from granger to niles michigan.there tiff must be running out or maybe insider information.the artical is titled granger bussiness moves to border.we need to take our county back and pay the same as the rest of the countys of indiana this cannot stand!!!!

Saturday, Mar 15 at 11:02 AM Nick wrote ...

Bauer fought hard to get the St. Joseph county clause in the bill. Then he tried to appease his constituents by not voting at all. What a slime ball. Lets recall him and make him get a real job

Saturday, Mar 15 at 9:19 AM tax poor wrote ...

Anonymous you right...how much would we save if we just turned out the decoration on Grape road....perhaps Mishawaka could save some money...and keep selling land for $1...Soon we will be Mishaharbor....

Saturday, Mar 15 at 6:08 AM Bill wrote ...

WHAT.. We in St Jo County get to pay 1.1 to 1.5%, while the rest of the state pays 1.0%? Something wrong here, I will sell and move to Elkhart, not because of the .1 to .5%, but for more representation, this is BS people. Is your voice is not heard now, then forever keep quiet!!

Friday, Mar 14 at 10:52 PM KARI wrote ...

All you people who live in B. Patrick Bauer's District have no one to thank but yourselves. You keep voting him in and now everyone gets to suffer the consequences of his decision. After all the businesses, rental property owners and homeowners decide to leave St. Joe county and go elsewhere we'll see how well city and county governments operate with what's left. South Bend will be a ghost town with more vacant homes and businesses that'll just end up getting vandalized and look like trash.

Friday, Mar 14 at 10:05 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Dvorak is one of the biggest problems. What's he yammering about? You're a short-termer too, Dvorak.

Friday, Mar 14 at 6:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Two words, TIFF DISTRICT, The grape road area tax dollars stay in the grape road area and are not spread throughout the community. This is a cash cow for our local government that they keep secret. This money would more than make up for any lost revenue lost in St. Joe county.... People start asking question about it.. TIFF DISTRICT.... WHERE IS ALL THAT MONEY GOING, to bring in palm trees every summer for decoration.. PLEASE....

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