House Republicans deny relief to homeowners, strike down ‘Back to Basics’ property tax plan

Today, April 9, House Ways and Means Ranking Democrat State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) proposed his plan for property tax relief. The House majority struck down all of Porter’s amendments to provide significant savings to homeowners and fund relief through the state. 

“They’re pushing their plan through without input,” Porter said. ”House Republicans will do what they want, even though Democrats represent many of the communities with high property tax revenue. Now they get to put $1.4 billion in tax cuts on their mailers while homeowners will save an average of $245. Those savings will be zeroed out with local income tax increases. Everybody, except manufacturers, loses with this proposal. 

“Our communities will lose over $939 million, and our schools will lose over $534 million. Maybe more since we don’t have the updated numbers for amendment 36, which has been a huge issue with this bill’s process. We had fire chiefs come and tell us they’ll have to close fire houses or let firefighters go. The House GOP gave $1 billion to the LEAP district, and we paid $1.7 billion in cash for a single prison. But we can only give homeowners about $245? They want people to move here for economic development, but they voted down a first-time homebuyer’s credit. I’m disappointed but not surprised.” 

A list of the amendments House Republicans voted down is below: 

• Amendment 14: Reinstates the first-time homebuyers tax deduction provision Senate Republicans included in Senate Bill 1. 

• Amendment 15: Removes language from the bill dissolving the Union School Corporation, which was included without the knowledge of the Union School Superintendent. 

• Amendment 16: Delays property tax revenue sharing with charter schools until 2035. 

• Amendment 19: Establishes a state-funded homestead property tax freeze for veterans with a moderate to severe service-related disability. 

• Amendment 20: Creates the home ownership expenses homestead credit, giving $300 to each homeowner to offset the rising cost of utilities and home insurance. The money would be sourced from the General Fund. 

• Amendment 22:  Caps increases in the property tax bills of qualifying seniors at 1%. 

• Amendment 24: Provides additional relief to renters by increasing the renter's deduction from $3,000 to $5,000. 

• Amendment 26: Deletes the provision prohibiting the South Shore Line from issuing new debt.