Brian Mahern, a Democrat on the City-County Council, plans to propose a study commission to examine the effectiveness of TIF districts, how property tax caps will affect them, and ways to increase transparency for the complicated financing vehicles.

Indiana homeowners and businesses have seen their tax bills cut by more than $655 million since the General Assembly approved property tax caps in 2008. But the savings have been tough for some local governments.

Indiana voters have overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that will make property tax limits more permanent.

Indiana voters headed to the polls Tuesday amid Republican hopes for big gains in the state's congressional delegation and Legislature, but it wasn't immediately clear whether voters were turning out in the numbers the party had hoped for.

Cuts in services, higher fees and consolidation of government units are possibilities, but advocates for the constitutional amendment say long-term certainty about property tax rates could benefit the economy.

A recent poll found that more than 60 percent of likely voters support the proposed constitutional amendment, and some of the measure's biggest opponents have given up the fight.

The property tax caps that are all but sure to become part of the Indiana constitution after a voter referendum this November are definitely good politics—and might prove to be good policy. We won’t know for sure until we see what becomes of two property-tax funded entities that are starving as the caps fully phase in.

The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library could close up to six branches or reduce their hours in order to close a budget shortfall.

The Indiana Senate has given final approval to a proposal that would allow voters to decide whether property tax limits belong in the state constitution.

What changed over the last year to make House Democrats so eager to allow Hoosier voters to amend the property-tax caps into the Indiana Constitution? The calendar.

Indianapolis property tax bills, paid in two installments due in May and November, should be sent without delay for the first year since 2006.

About the only certainty for the upcoming legislative session is that it will be over in March.

A group of mayors led by Tom Henry of Fort Wayne and Greg Ballard of Indianapolis is seeking new sources of revenue to replace the millions they’ll lose because of property tax caps.

The association representing 470 cities and towns wants lawmakers to pass legislation that would give municipalities the authority to adopt local option income taxes.

The solution to the property tax fiasco that swept Republican Mayor Greg Ballard into office in 2007 is making his job harder, and it could lead to his undoing.

Stimulus talk continues to dominate discussion at the Indiana Statehouse, creating indecision for lawmakers who were supposed to be devoting their full attention to assembling a two-year budget under difficult economic circumstances.

Soaring property taxes were arguably Indiana's biggest problem in 2007. In 2008, the Legislature approved property tax caps as a solution. But because the caps haven't been implemented, debate is still raging over the consequences the caps will have for local governments and whether they should be made permanent.

Property tax reform is now Indiana law. Hoosier homeowners are thrilled. But many corporate leaders grumble the historic deal was brokered on the backs of business. Topping their concerns is the new 3-percent property tax cap for commercial and industrial properties, which they fear will slow business expansions and discourage companies from moving headquarters to the state.

Local officials say a new state law that caps property tax bills for homeowners and businesses will send the city into a financial tailspin if legislators don't modify it in an upcoming session.