A New Hope for Taxpayers
Marion County Taxpayers got a major victory yesterday when Governor Daniels ordered a reassessment and froze property rates at 2006 levels. However, if you will indulge the science-fiction part of my nature, this reminds me of the Star Wars triology. When Luke Skywalker blows up the first Death Star the Rebellion has a big party, however the Empire Strikes Back in the second film, and it’s only until the Jedi returns in the third film, do they finally beat Emperor Palpatine. I know this sounds like a bit much there is a point here.
The point is the tax freeze and new assessment is a small part of a much bigger issue. Hoosiers need to decide how much government they want and how much they are willing to pay for. There is one unit of local government for every 2700 hundred people. Indiana has more government per capita than New York State and California. There is no reason that there are 67 taxing units in Marion County.
The Governor has commissioned Chief Justice Randall Shepard and former Governor Joe Kernan to look at restructuring and reforming Indiana local government. And until the day Indiana has less government that takes in less of the taxpayers’ money, what Hoosiers got yesterday was a small victory. And like in the final Star Wars film, the Empire will be back with more powerful ways to separate you from your hard-earned money.
May the force be with you and the government as far away as possible.
