The Four Tops
Indiana’s four legislative leaders today are showing unity on state finances, but differing on property tax caps.
Speaking at the Indiana Chamber 2010 Legislative Preview Lunch Senate Pro Tem David Long, House Speaker Pat Bauer, Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson and House Republican Leader Brian Bosma all agreed that with Indiana’s $310 million revenue shortfall, there was no room in the upcoming session for new spending. However Bauer and Simpson said the state should protect education and programs that create jobs.
The four leaders were split however on property tax caps, but appeared to all believe that there would be a vote next year. House Speaker Pat Bauer, as reported here earlier, said the tax caps were not enough to provide Hoosiers with property tax relief and he wanted to see safeguards put into the assessment area. Long said he did not oppose that idea, but thought a tax cap vote should stand on its own merit and not be tied to any other issue. Bosma said the caps were necessary to protect taxpayers and encourage government efficiency. Simpson said she opposed the caps because the hurt local governments’ abilities to provide services.
The four leaders also did agree that there would be some government reform measures passed, but they would be small.
Tomorrow is Organization Day.
