Andrade votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, April 10, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill (SB) 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and public school services by $1.4 billion over three years. 

While the bill was pushed through with very little time to review the possible fiscal impact, it's clear that SB 1 will provide minimal property tax relief to Hoosiers. Republican leadership told Hoosiers it's time to "tighten our belts" while discussing this legislation, despite House Democrats' concerns that SB 1 will choke the life out of vital services provided by local governments.

State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

“Today, I voted against Senate Bill 1 because Hoosiers deserve the truth, and this bill does not deliver it. SB 1 is being sold as ‘property tax relief’ but in reality, it shifts the financial burden onto hard-working Hoosier families. This is a bait-and-switch that will leave our communities struggling.

“Local governments will be forced to either raise income taxes or cut essential services, including funding for our public schools, fire departments, police and libraries. In Lake County alone, we stand to lose nearly $235 million dollars by 2028.

“Our children, our safety and our future are being put at risk to give another tax break to big businesses. Hoosiers want real tax relief, not a plan that drains our schools and weakens our neighborhoods in the false promise of ‘real property tax relief.’”

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During the House session on Wednesday, April 9, Gov. Mike Braun signaled that this was the Indiana GOP's final property tax plan, despite House Democrats still working to make the bill better on the House floor via amendments which were all voted down by the majority.