Marion County property taxpayers could get some relief from their third installment property tax bills scheduled to come out this Spring. Governor Mitch Daniels says he’s open to allowing taxpayers to make their third payment in installments. In the wake of this summer’s property tax crisis, the Governor ordered a reassessment of property and froze […]

As we debate property taxes in Indiana, here are a few facts about local government. There are 2,370 property-taxing units of government many of which overlap. There is one unit of local government for every 2,600 Hoosiers. Indiana has 92 counties. Indiana has 1008 townships. Indiana has 564 cites and towns. Indiana has 293 school […]

State Representative Jon Elrod officially announced his run for Congress today. Elrod narrowly defeated Democrat Ed Mahern in the 2006 election. Elrod says he wants to be an alternative for voters in the 7th District. I honestly don’t think incumbent Julia Carson is going to run again based on her health, so while Republicans make […]

My Marion County Democrat friends just can’t seem to grasp the concept that they lost the Election and are debating whether to tinker with the public safety tax.  Repealing the tax would be illegal because the law says it can only be voted on once in a calender year.  The new talk is amending the […]

The Indiana Supreme Court this morning heard oral arguments in a case where the defendant claimed her January arrest by an IMPD officer was not valid because he was not sworn in when the department was created this year. Chery Oddi-Smith was arrested for drunk driving back in January, but a Marion County Judge threw out […]

Indiana lawmakers are unveiling proposals for property tax relief this afternoon.  The plans include the following: 1.  Provide permanent tax relief by cutting residential property taxes by up to 50%. 2.  Reduce growth in local spending, closing tax loopholes and restricting the  use of tax increment financing and abatements. 3.  Reforming the property assessment system […]

There are a lot of little things to report from across town today so here they are: State Senator Luke Kenley and his Property Tax Commission will unveil their plan for tax reform with a goal of cutting residential property taxes by 50-percent. Although Kenley is being tight-lipped about what they will unveil, he does […]

There are two pieces of news today that could give some relief to taxpayers. State Senator Luke Kenley will announce recommendations tomorrow from the property tax commission that he says will cut property taxpayers bills in half and give renters a 25-percent break. Also the Mayor’s office is announcing today that the city’s bond credit […]

In looking for someone to lead the City-County Council, Republicans have picked someone who was on the Council when they were last in the Majority.  Decatur Township’s Bob Cockrum will assume the mantle of Council President.   Newcomer Kent Smith will serve as Vice-President.  Lincoln Plowman will be Majority Leader and Ryan Vaughn will serve as […]

I told you there was a “Civil War” getting ready to brew in the Marion County Democratic party.  The first battle will occur at the City-County Council over the position of Minority Leader.  City-County Council President Monroe Gray is not accepting any responsibility  for the Election Day defeat his party suffered and will try to hold onto […]