Latest news with #IndianaGeneralAssembly
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana's property tax reform delivers relief while preserving local growth
Indiana's 2024 elections sent a message to leaders that Hoosiers across the state were concerned about getting squeezed out of their homes by skyrocketing property taxes. The angst I heard talking to members of our community came, of course, with an acknowledgement that rising taxes were a result of increased home values, but a lack of transparency around home assessments and some frustration with a seemingly endless chain of school referenda made it clear that many Hoosiers were demanding relief. Heading into the 2025 legislative session, it surprised no one that this issue was front and center for lawmakers. After months of negotiations and input from residents, the Indiana General Assembly delivered one of the most significant changes to local taxation we have seen in nearly two decades. No one got exactly what they wanted — it would take you three minutes on social media to know that — but the result is a bill that provides immediate relief to nearly every Hoosier and, when fully implemented, allows homeowners to deduct two-thirds of their assessed value to lower their property tax bill while reining in $54 billion in local government debt. We transformed some tax deductions into tax credits, a change that will result in lower actual tax bills for thousands of taxpayers; moved school referendums to even-year general election ballots to ensure better participation; and lowered the amount of local income taxes governments can collect by $1.9 billion. In short, while changes to tax policy can be complicated, Senate Enrolled Act 1 not only gives Hoosier homeowners tax relief today, but also moves Indiana to a fairer, simpler and more balanced local tax system in the near future. One of my goals as a state legislator is to ensure the voices of growing communities are represented in these debates. It was important that we find a balance between needed relief and the resources upon which communities like mine have come to rely, resources that represent critical investments in quality of life, amenities, infrastructure and key services. Hicks: Braun cut taxes for businesses, but most Hoosiers will pay more Carmel and Westfield, the cities I represent at the Statehouse, have enjoyed forward-thinking, fiscally responsible leadership for years. The results are demonstrative. Carmel, for example, was ranked No. 2 on the list of the Best Places to Live in 2025 by Livability & U.S. News, and both communities are consistently ranked among the best in the country. Indiana, moreover, is now ranked 7th nationally for net in-migration, with the high-earning, talented individuals Indiana needs flocking to cities in Hamilton County. That's not an accident. The strategies that Carmel and Westfield have implemented should be celebrated and enhanced by the policies coming from the Statehouse. That balance was not easy to strike and local governments and schools will, no doubt, be faced with difficult decisions in the future. But SEA 1 represents much-needed reform to a convoluted property tax system that disincentivizes these hard decisions today at taxpayers' expense. Even with these changes, schools in my district will receive more money from property taxes over the next three years, and the new state budget increases tuition support for students. I am proud of the work we did this session on this issue, and I am equally grateful for the perspectives, insights, and counsel shared by our incredible local leaders who helped legislators avoid harmful unintended consequences. As with any bill this complex, property tax reform will remain a topic of discussion in the General Assembly, and we will be making tweaks to the law moving forward. But SEA 1 is a strong step forward to helping homeowners while improving accountability in local government spending. State Rep. Danny Lopez, R-Carmel, represents House District 39, which includes a portion of Hamilton County. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana property tax reform delivers relief for homeowners | Opinion
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana's property tax reform delivers relief while preserving local growth
Indiana's 2024 elections sent a message to leaders that Hoosiers across the state were concerned about getting squeezed out of their homes by skyrocketing property taxes. The angst I heard talking to members of our community came, of course, with an acknowledgement that rising taxes were a result of increased home values, but a lack of transparency around home assessments and some frustration with a seemingly endless chain of school referenda made it clear that many Hoosiers were demanding relief. Heading into the 2025 legislative session, it surprised no one that this issue was front and center for lawmakers. After months of negotiations and input from residents, the Indiana General Assembly delivered one of the most significant changes to local taxation we have seen in nearly two decades. No one got exactly what they wanted — it would take you three minutes on social media to know that — but the result is a bill that provides immediate relief to nearly every Hoosier and, when fully implemented, allows homeowners to deduct two-thirds of their assessed value to lower their property tax bill while reining in $54 billion in local government debt. We transformed some tax deductions into tax credits, a change that will result in lower actual tax bills for thousands of taxpayers; moved school referendums to even-year general election ballots to ensure better participation; and lowered the amount of local income taxes governments can collect by $1.9 billion. In short, while changes to tax policy can be complicated, Senate Enrolled Act 1 not only gives Hoosier homeowners tax relief today, but also moves Indiana to a fairer, simpler and more balanced local tax system in the near future. One of my goals as a state legislator is to ensure the voices of growing communities are represented in these debates. It was important that we find a balance between needed relief and the resources upon which communities like mine have come to rely, resources that represent critical investments in quality of life, amenities, infrastructure and key services. Carmel and Westfield, the cities I represent at the Statehouse, have enjoyed forward-thinking, fiscally responsible leadership for years. The results are demonstrative. Carmel, for example, was ranked No. 2 on the list of the Best Places to Live in 2025 by Livability & U.S. News, and both communities are consistently ranked among the best in the country. Indiana, moreover, is now ranked 7th nationally for net in-migration, with the high-earning, talented individuals Indiana needs flocking to cities in Hamilton County. That's not an accident. The strategies that Carmel and Westfield have implemented should be celebrated and enhanced by the policies coming from the Statehouse. That balance was not easy to strike and local governments and schools will, no doubt, be faced with difficult decisions in the future. But SEA 1 represents much-needed reform to a convoluted property tax system that disincentivizes these hard decisions today at taxpayers' expense. Even with these changes, schools in my district will receive more money from property taxes over the next three years, and the new state budget increases tuition support for students. I am proud of the work we did this session on this issue, and I am equally grateful for the perspectives, insights, and counsel shared by our incredible local leaders who helped legislators avoid harmful unintended consequences. As with any bill this complex, property tax reform will remain a topic of discussion in the General Assembly, and we will be making tweaks to the law moving forward. But SEA 1 is a strong step forward to helping homeowners while improving accountability in local government spending.
Indianapolis Star
5 days ago
- General
- Indianapolis Star
Gov. Mike Braun signals he's open to debate on future of death penalty, execution methods
Following two state executions of death row inmates in less than six months, Gov. Mike Braun said June 3 that Indiana does not have any more of the drug used and he does not "intend to put another one on the shelf." Braun additionally signaled he was open to hearing debate on whether Indiana should continue capital punishment and if so, if there are other execution methods the state should consider besides lethal injection, currently the only option Indiana allows. Indiana paid $900,000 last year to acquire the drug pentobarbital, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle. The high price tag for the drug used to carry out death sentences is part of Braun's reasoning for hearing more debate about the death penalty in Indiana, he said. "We've got to address the broad issue of, what are other methods, the discussion of capital punishment in general, and then something that costs, I think, $300,000 a pop that has a 90-day shelf life, I'm not going to be for putting it on the shelf and then letting them expire," Braun told reporters at the Indiana Statehouse. Authorized execution methods in states across the country, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, include lethal injection, electrocution, lethal gas and firing squads. There has been national debate over whether lethal injection is a humane way to execute someone. Two inmates in South Carolina this year chose to die by firing squad, but an autopsy found the man who was executed in April likely suffered after shooters missed his heart. The Indiana General Assembly would have to approve any change to execution methods. One Republican lawmaker during the 2025 legislative session sought a repeal of the death penalty, but the bill died without a hearing. Repeal the death penalty?: Despite bipartisan support, bill to end death penalty died without a committee hearing Braun's comments come two weeks after Indiana executed Benjamin Ritchie, who was sentenced to death after the murder of Beech Grove police officer William Toney. Ritchie's was the first state execution during Braun's administration and the second since former Gov. Eric Holcomb and Attorney General Todd Rokita announced last summer that Indiana had acquired pentobarbital. Indiana used the drug in December to execute Joseph Corcoran, who was found guilty of a quadruple murder he committed in 1997. It was the first execution in the state since 2009. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ivy Tech will be laying off 202 employees. What that means for Indy campus
More than 200 employees are expected to be laid off at Ivy Tech campuses across the state as a result of the Indiana General Assembly's decision to cut funding to the college system. This announcement was made by Ivy Tech's president, Sue Ellspermann, on May 30, as she broke the news to many who were affected by this sudden development. Layoffs began the same day and continue into next week. Emily Sandberg, Ivy Tech's assistant vice president of communications, confirmed in an email to the IndyStar that the Indianapolis campus is expected to lay off seven faculty and 14 staff members, and the Hamilton County campus is expected to lay off two staff members. In Ellspermann's letter, she notes that the Indiana government's decision to cut 5% of the school allocated fund, on top of the 5% cut from the state budget agency, would equate to an expected loss of $54 million over the next two years. These cuts, coupled with Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education recommending a 0% tuition increase for all state educational institutions, left the school with another revenue option. "Because the college's primary revenue sources are state appropriations, tuition, and fees, these developments have had an immediate effect on our planning," Ellspermann said in her letter. "We have reached the difficult decision to adjust our staffing levels, in addition to efforts to reduce our operational expenses." During the 2023 budget session, the General Assembly appropriated about $243 million and $245 million for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, respectively. For 2025-26 and 2026-27, that will drop to about $236 million each. That doesn't count additional reductions. Laid-off Ivy Tech workers will receive separation packages, according to Ellspermann's letter. However, details regarding the separation packages were not provided in the email, noting that laid-off employees will meet with human resources representatives to determine their package. In total, 202 people will be affected by these layoffs across Ivy Tech's 45 locations in the state. "This is a challenging moment for our college, but I know Ivy Tech is strong," the letter reads. "I remain confident in our resilience and in our commitment to our students and to one another." Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@ follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @ Courier & Press reporter Jon Webb contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ivy Tech will lay off over 200 employees due to Indiana budget cuts
Chicago Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
SSCVA hears how Indiana legislative action will affect tourism, region
At its monthly meeting Thursday, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority board heard how items passed during Indiana's legislative session will affect the region's tourism. 'More questions came out of this session than answers,' said Andrew Miller, managing principal for Bose Public Affairs, which prepared the presentation Thursday. Miller and Phil Siscuso, principal for Bose Public Affairs, highlighted four items that were part of Gov. Mike Braun's agenda during the legislative session: tax reform, government efficiencies, economic growth and health care. Government efficiencies take a business-like approach to government, Miller said, and he believes the Braun administration made that a priority. During the Indiana General Assembly, Miller said officials focused on how to prepare for a 'data center economy' and energy costs. 'Data centers are huge consumers of energy,' Miller said. 'Is Indiana prepared for that?' Energy conversations also tie in with economic growth, Miller said. Miller and Siscuso also highlighted the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, which was created this legislative session as part of House Enrolled Act 1292, written by Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago. The commission will be tasked with exploring and implementing strategies to attract sports franchises to the region. According to Post-Tribune archives, the commission would have 17 members, including mayors from East Chicago, Gary, Hammond, Michigan City, LaPorte, Portage and South Bend, while the remaining members would be appointed by various people, including the executive director of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, and Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph county leaders. Both Miller and Siscuso said the commission will be beneficial for Northwest Indiana. Miller also mentioned Senate Enrolled Act 1, which creates property tax reform in Indiana. The effects of Senate Enrolled Act 1 are still yet to be fully known statewide. The group highlighted economic growth and government efficiency because this legislative session fell during a budget year, Siscuso said. The Indiana General Assembly creates a two-year budget every other year. 'One thing that came at the end of session that's more evident was that we're running a bit lower on tax revenues than the state had anticipated, and government efficiency took over the statehouse for the last two weeks,' Siscuso said. This year, the Indiana Destination Development Corporation's budget was cut to $3 million from $20 million, he added. The IDDC is Indiana's state tourism organization. Phil Taillon, president and CEO of the SSCVA, said it's more important than ever that the organization is more efficient with money from its innkeepers tax. Nicole Wolverton, chief financial officer, said Thursday that the reported innkeepers tax for April — which reflects February's numbers — was more than $50,000 less than it was in 2024. The SSCVA also received about $23,000 less in gross payments, bringing the organization more than $70,000 down from what was collected in 2024. In January and February, Wolverton shared that numbers decreased for the final two months of 2024 as well. Although innkeepers tax numbers decreased, Wolverton said the organization is still on track for appropriations. When Braun was in Munster for a chamber of commerce luncheon, Taillon said they talked about tourism in Northwest Indiana. 'I told him that we're really focused on how we get dollars from Chicago to Northwest Indiana,' Taillon said. 'Tourism dollars are so important for driving and growing communities or regions, and (Braun) feels the same way.' At the SSCVA's March meeting, the board reduced funding for Festival of the Lakes in Hammond and Pierogi Fest in Whiting, according to Post-Tribune archives. The board approved a $15,000 sponsorship of Festival of the Lakes when they usually pay $20,000. The reduced funding came as result of a lawsuit with former President and CEO Speros Batistatos. The organization has spent almost a quarter of a million dollars in the ongoing legal battle, which only covers one law firm involved, Barnes and Thornberg, according to Post-Tribune archives. Batistatos sued the SSCVA one month after it fired him, alleging the organization violated the law while handling his contract renegotiations due to his age and misspent federal Payroll Protection Plan funds in violation of the CARES Act, which the board disputes.
