Tax caps focus of panel discussion

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December 4, 2009

Head, Gutwein offer opinions on topic

By Jennifer Tangeman Pharos-Tribune Fri Dec 04, 2009, 11:02 PM EST

FULTON — Curious about what local legislators had to say about adding property-tax caps to the state constitution, a number of area residents gathered in the Caston school cafeteria Thursday.

At issue is a joint resolution that proposes a property tax amendment to the state of Indiana’s Constitution. Under that resolution, homestead taxes would be capped at 1 percent of the property’s assessed valuation, taxes on agricultural land would not exceed 2 percent and taxes on other real property would top out at 3 percent.

The caps need to be approved by both the House and Senate in the coming session to go before the voters next fall.

The resolution was approved by both houses in 2008. The state Senate approved the resolution this year, but it was not brought to a vote in the House.

“I would prefer, first and foremost, to get rid of property tax altogether,” said State Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport. “My second option would be a uniform tax for all property, and the third would be the caps as they are. The fourth option would be to do nothing and go back to the old system, which I believe would be intolerable.”

State Rep. Doug Gutwein, R-Rensselaer, said he believes if House Speaker Pat Bauer allows the resolution to be heard, it will pass the House and give Hoosiers an opportunity to voice their opinion at the polls.

“The people will have the ultimate say,” Gutwein said. “And we need to protect the taxpayers.”

Those attending the panel, which was hosted by the advocacy organization Indiana Watchdog, voiced concerns about the difference in caps for different types of properties and the increase in assessed valuation.

“We weren’t there yet when they first made this, so don’t blame us for the 1, 2, 3, but we will see what we can do,” Gutwein said.

Head agreed homestead owners received the best deals under the proposed caps, and said he had heard concerns from farmers in particular.

Under the proposed constitutional change, property owners would pay 2 percent of the assessed valuation on any land over one acre at their homestead.

“Everyone agrees it’s not quite right,” Gutwein said. “Homesteaders are getting more deductions than anyone else.”

Another concern was an increase in assessed valuation. A Rochester man said his rental property value, according to his local assessor, had increased 551 percent in one year. A local businesswoman said her business’ assessed valuation jumped by $4 million in one year with no improvements to the property.

“How can that be?” Gutwein asked. “Have you heard other horror stories?”

Head said that while the proposed tax caps might not be perfect and would have no effect on establishing assessed value, he believes setting any caps would be beneficial to Hoosiers.

“If you can make incremental progress, it is a wonderful thing,” he said. “If caps go into effect, we will be making a step in the right direction.”

• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.

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Tax caps focus of panel discussion

Head, Gutwein offer opinions on topic

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