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Waterman: eliminate property taxes on homes
State Senator John Waterman
NEWS RELEASE 1.8.08
Contact: Carrie Zapfe
317-232-7184
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waterman: Eliminate Property Taxes on Homes
Committee members ‘intrigued, interested’ in new proposal;
Legislators want more details before panel vote will be taken.
(STATEHOUSE) –Republican state senators say they are “intrigued and interested” by a new plan unveiled at the Statehouse today that would completely and permanently eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes statewide. Senate Joint Resolution 8, which would eliminate property taxes, is co-authored by Sen. John Waterman (R-Shelburn).
Sen. Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood) and Mike Young (R-Indianapolis) offered their plan as an amendment to SJR 8 under consideration by the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee.
Waltz and Young asked fellow lawmakers to choose between sales or income taxes as “fairer, more modern ways” to fund schools and local government.
Expanding sales taxes on certain services was among several funding options the two lawmakers offered to replace the $2.95 billion needed to eliminate property taxes for homeowners, Waterman said.
“I co-authored this bill to ensure all Hoosiers – whether they are families with young children, empty-nesters, or senior citizens on fixed incomes – will not lose their homes due to outrageous property tax bills,” Waterman said. “We must make sure Hoosiers aren’t excluded from the American dream of home ownership.”
Originally, SJR 8 would have attempted doing away with all property taxes including those on income-producing rental and business properties. Critics had been skeptical of the resolution as originally written, because of massive replacement funding needed to continue operating schools, police and fire services, libraries and other local government units.
Sen. David Long (R-Ft. Wayne), who chairs the committee, said its members asked for additional time to study and discuss the resolution and amendment. Long said he expects the committee to reconvene in the coming days, but wants to “make certain the plan is workable and acceptable before asking colleagues to vote on the proposal.”
SJR 8 is being offered as an amendment to the Indiana Constitution, requiring passage by two separately elected sessions of the Indiana General Assembly and approval by voters.
Waterman serves Senate District 39, which includes Clay, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Owen, Sullivan and
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For your convenience, a high-resolution photo of Senator Waterman is available at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_republicans/newsroom/photo-gallery.htm
