STATEHOUSE UPDATE
With less than 11 hours to go, Indiana lawmakers are still haggling out the big issue of tax relief. House Republican Leader Brian Bosma says his caucus will not sign on to a bill that includes a 24-percent tax increase average statewide. Despite plans for a possible rebate by mail in November, Bosma says that’s not good enough and his members won’t support the measure. However, House Democrats say had Republicans provided the votes for an earlier property tax relief package three months ago, this entire matter could have been avoided.
Meanwhile, the Office of Mayor Bart Peterson is still hopeful that a deal can be worked out over government consolidation. State Rep. Bill Crawford and Senator Jim Merrit are still at odds over the matter. The Mayor is hoping all sides will agree on fire consolidation and pass that measure. Last night, Crawford reportedly said the measure was dead. Merrit says he’s still open to ideas.
A 44-cent increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes looks like it will happen. A vote in Senate is likely this afternoon.
And a tougher seatbelt law may run into a road block. Several lawmakers from both parties and both chambers are not crazy about it.
More later.
