The Four Tops
Indiana’s four legislative leaders today are showing unity on state finances, but differing on property tax caps.
Speaking at the Indiana Chamber 2010 Legislative Preview Lunch Senate Pro Tem David Long, House Speaker Pat Bauer, Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson and House Republican Leader Brian Bosma all agreed that with Indiana’s $310 million revenue shortfall, there was no room in the upcoming session for new spending. However Bauer and Simpson said the state should protect education and programs that create jobs.
The four leaders were split however on property tax caps, but appeared to all believe that there would be a vote next year. House Speaker Pat Bauer, as reported here earlier, said the tax caps were not enough to provide Hoosiers with property tax relief and he wanted to see safeguards put into the assessment area. Long said he did not oppose that idea, but thought a tax cap vote should stand on its own merit and not be tied to any other issue. Bosma said the caps were necessary to protect taxpayers and encourage government efficiency. Simpson said she opposed the caps because the hurt local governments’ abilities to provide services.
The four leaders also did agree that there would be some government reform measures passed, but they would be small.
Tomorrow is Organization Day.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
The tax caps didn't protect me. Bosma is an idiot. I'm already having to make due with less left over because of property tax. Why shouldn't the state?
November 16th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Melyssa, honey, you listened to an idiot. The fact that he's an idiot is not new. He has much company in that legislature, on both sides of the aisle.
That said, one more time Abdul…it's PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, not “Pro Tem.”
Otherwise, an excellent post. I'm glad they agree on something. How about mass agreement on Sine Die? Like Jan.2?
November 16th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Name…I didn't (and don't) listen to Bosma and always knew that the caps were a way for the politicians to keep their hands well inside our bank accounts. I am not alone in knowing that they would come along and raise our assessments to whatever they wanted.
There might be maybe 10 state legislators worthy of serving the citizens of our state. The rest? Sociopaths, who serve first and foremost, themselves.
November 17th, 2009 at 4:27 am
Amen, sister. Amen. Harrison Ulllman, God rest his soul, must again be credited with with this:
“America's worst state legislature. Corrupt, lobbyist-owned, anti-average-citizen whores.”
November 17th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
“I am not alone in knowing that they would come along and raise our assessments to whatever they wanted.”
Yeah…kind of like how government sold the income tax to the American people. “It will only affect the rich”, or “Less than one percent of Americans will be affected”.
Yeah, right !!!!
November 17th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
A letter sent to Senator Simpson:
Dear Senator Simpson,
How upsetting it is to read your quote that property tax reform is bad public policy. Here is your quote:“This is not good public policy,” Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, said of the tax caps. “But it’s good politics.” What a disappointment voting Democratic has turned out to be for so many in this state. Here where I live many were forced to flee the city, my taxes on my home are 6,656 dollars a year and to you it is just an item to play politics with! Nice and you are a leader none the less. It's nice to know where homeowners need protection from. All along I wondered if it was the democrats that really favor this crazy tax. Over 8000 vacant structures in Indianapolis alone. What do you think you are taxing an endless gold mine? Tax sales are beyond huge where they have them as Hoosiers are just walking away from their property! Again an issue so important to all Hoosier homeowners and its just politics and a joke to you. I will save your comments and make sure we get them posted so we can have a public vetting of your quote.Lets let homeowners weigh in on your thoughts.
Disappointed, Bill
November 17th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
“I am not alone in knowing that they would come along and raise our assessments to whatever they wanted.”
Yeah…kind of like how government sold the income tax to the American people. “It will only affect the rich”, or “Less than one percent of Americans will be affected”.
Yeah, right !!!!
November 18th, 2009 at 12:42 am
A letter sent to Senator Simpson:
Dear Senator Simpson,
How upsetting it is to read your quote that property tax reform is bad public policy. Here is your quote:“This is not good public policy,” Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, said of the tax caps. “But it’s good politics.” What a disappointment voting Democratic has turned out to be for so many in this state. Here where I live many were forced to flee the city, my taxes on my home are 6,656 dollars a year and to you it is just an item to play politics with! Nice and you are a leader none the less. It's nice to know where homeowners need protection from. All along I wondered if it was the democrats that really favor this crazy tax. Over 8000 vacant structures in Indianapolis alone. What do you think you are taxing an endless gold mine? Tax sales are beyond huge where they have them as Hoosiers are just walking away from their property! Again an issue so important to all Hoosier homeowners and its just politics and a joke to you. I will save your comments and make sure we get them posted so we can have a public vetting of your quote.Lets let homeowners weigh in on your thoughts.
Disappointed, Bill