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EYE ON THE PIE: Give tax relief to those who truly need it

September 24, 2007

No topic brings me more mail than property taxes. Some of this mail is silly, some is tragic. Many writers are concerned that they or their neighbors will lose their homes because of propertytax increases. This is a serious, legitimate concern. However, it is not a reason to abolish property taxes. Those who are hard-pressed to pay their property taxes are not different from those who have problems paying utility bills, medical bills, and the costs of other necessities. These…

Loss of institute may polarize Statehouse debate: Board considers shuttering respected government research organization

October 8, 2007

If the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute remains shuttered due to a lack of funds, the public won’t notice immediately. After all, the Indianapolis-based organization focused on long-term analysis of complicated communal questions, such as how to equalize property taxes, diversify state pensions or finance public schools. But taxpayers eventually will feel the impact. For 20 years, the institute has played a key role in Statehouse debate, helping frame major issues with hard facts and figures that conservatives and liberals alike…

VIEWPOINT: Reform won’t require constitutional rewrite

October 22, 2007

In July, when Gov. Mitch Daniels appointed the Commission on Local Government Reform to search for ways to streamline and modernize Indiana’s system of local government, he recommended considering every option for bringing government into the 21st century. And he raised one particularly dramatic option: convening a convention to rewrite Indiana’s constitution, a document that has been amended often, but never rewritten, in 156 years. Times were different in 1851, when Indiana enacted its constitution. The state had fewer than…

Commentary: Exclusion isn’t a Christian value

October 22, 2007

Here’s an idea. Let’s establish a chamber of commerce for whites only. Yep, just for “us.” Let’s join forces for further empowerment, more success and greater marketplace impact. It is time we came out of the closet and enjoyed the fruits that living white brings our companies, our employees, and our homes and families. Let’s call it the Indiana White Chamber of Commerce. We’ll get together to celebrate being white and to further our association, serve the community, enhance one…

Governor playing deal-maker with property-tax plan

October 29, 2007

The art of the deal is to get more than you give up. If Gov. Mitch Daniels convinces the General Assembly to pass his property
tax plan intact, he’ll meet the definition of deal-maker, and then some.

Businesses may swallow Daniels’ property tax plan despite initial grumbles about its implications:

October 29, 2007

Businesses are upset about the implications of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ plan to reform Indiana’s property tax system. And while they would certainly bear blows, executives may be discounting one of the proposal’s subtlest selling points: permanent tax stability. “I don’t know if it’s too high or too low. But I do know that it’s locked in stone. And businesses love predictability,” said Matt Will, associate dean of the University of Indianapolis School of Business and director of its Graduate Business…

EYE ON THE PIE: Many are fans of ‘the man’s’ plan

November 5, 2007

This is why I like Mitch Daniels. Speaking about his property-tax program, he said, “When Indiana acts this time, and act we must, our steps must be fair, far-reaching and final,” Look at that alliteration … “fair, far-reaching and final.” Who else in public life gives us sentences like that? Look at his idealism: “fair, far-reaching and final.” Our state is known for its persistent lack of fairness, its shortsighted special-interest legislation, and its neverending tinkering. Mitch thinks he can…

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: It’s time to use mass-appraisal model on state’s homes

November 5, 2007

In the 10 years since Indiana’s property-appraisal system was ruled unconstitutional, taxpayers have spent perhaps $1 billion to remedy the situation. That’s more than $350 per household, and more than we spend on environmental protection each year. “Wowser” is the only printable exclamation I can muster. Among other things, Gov. Mitch Daniels’ tax plan proposes the elimination of the township assessors (there are 1,008 offices statewide). According to a 2004 Chamber of Commerce study, streamlining the system would result in…

THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW: It’s standing-room only at the seat of justice

November 12, 2007

Based on a couple of recent Indiana cases, it seems someone has parked a “No standing” zone around the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The first case involved Indiana Right to Life and its judicial candidate questionnaires. The group claimed two provisions of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct violated the First Amendment by preventing judicial candidates from answering questions about topics such as abortion and other social issues. Although a federal district court judge agreed with the group’s arguments,…

STATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Politicos set framework for debate over property taxes

November 26, 2007

Lawmakers returned from their respective districts across the state for Organization Day activities Nov. 20, with many already weary of having their ears bent by constituents frustrated over property taxes. Instead of finding some respite in Indianapolis, they were greeted at the Statehouse by protests from both citizen activists and organized interest groups-such as the Indiana Farm Bureau-seeking substantive property tax reform and not simply another round of short-term property tax relief. The Libertarian Party of Indiana even bought Indianapolis…

Critics fear tax reform will favor suburbs

December 10, 2007

As legislators prepare to overhaul the state’s property-tax system, Marion County’s future hangs in the balance. Indianapolis
residents–particularly in the city’s older, urban core–already pay far higher taxes than their suburban counterparts. And
arguably get less bang for their buck. Changes on the table could make Marion County an even tougher sell.

Biz issues move to back seat: Property-tax reform leaves little time for other work

December 10, 2007

Reforming the state’s property tax system will consume so much of the legislative session that the Indiana General Assembly isn’t expected to give much attention to other issues pertinent to the business community. Compounding matters is the fact that the session, which runs from mid-January to mid-March, is of the short variety, meaning legislators have less time to debate issues than they would during the long, odd-year meetings. “I think [property tax reform] is the most intense and voluminous issue…

Amendment for houses of worship

December 13, 2007

State Sen. Pat Miller says sheâ??s looking to the future by proposing a constitutional amendment that would
protect churches and other houses of worship from someday being taxed.

Itâ??s not a â??crisis today,â?? but could become a problem in the future…

A&E: ‘Scoundrels’ con at Clowes; we play games at home

December 17, 2007

This week, thoughts on “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at Clowes Hall,” new games from Indiana manufacturer Fundex, and a handful of holiday movie releases. The con game musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” jauntily bounced into Clowes Hall on Dec. 11 for a week-long stay and withstood a lifeless opening 15 minutes or so before at last making a connection with the crowd. Swinging charts, clever lyrics, relatively foolproof physical comedy moments and a patient crowd willing to chuckle at every smutty line…

EYE ON THE PIE: Tying up the loose ends of 2007

December 31, 2007

I prevailed on Evelyn Elkhorn to meet at the new Dunkin’ Donuts. “Doughnuts are both fattening and addictive,” she protested. “Doughnuts are delightful, and life should not be conducted as if its extension is its objective,” I insisted. She yielded, ordering a coffee and two over-sized doughnuts. As we found a convenient table, she asked, “What subject haven’t you covered this year that you wish you had?” That was a tough one. I am free to write what I wish….

Naked in Carmel

January 9, 2008

Few would object, on the one end, to a Norman Rockwell painting being hung in an art gallery window.

Few, at the other end, would approve of a city park screening of a Jenna Jameson skin flick.

But where is the line…

SPORTS: College football playoff is, suddenly, on the table

January 14, 2008

In the aftermath of the Bowl Championship Series’ “championship” game, University of Georgia President Michael Adams didn’t just lob a grenade. He dropped a bombshell. Like many of his presidential colleagues, Adams has long been an opponent of the continued calls for major college football to go to some kind of national championship playoff. But on Jan. 8, just hours after two-loss LSU claimed the title with a one-sided victory over Ohio State, Adams unveiled a plan calling for an…

STATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Property-tax abolition isn’t off table after all

January 14, 2008

Lawmakers had their individual and collective eyes opened last summer by scores of organized and impromptu property tax rallies across Indiana. While many who carried a sign, marched in the streets, or wrote a letter to the editor about the situation simply thought their individual taxes were too high, a good number of them (and several of the organizers of such events) had a special goal: the elimination of property taxes. Even after the municipal elections woke up the few…

Property-tax plan shifts tab for poor relief from counties to state

January 14, 2008

Here’s a political hot potato that so far has received little discussion in the rancorous debate over property-tax reform:
Should the enormous costs of helping impoverished Hoosiers continue to be funded county by county, or spread to taxpayers
statewide?

Spotlight on Hamilton County

January 21, 2008

Spotlight on Hamilton County Named for Alexander Hamilton, a member of the Continental Congress and a framer of the U.S. Constitution 5 LARGEST CITIES/TOWNS population Fishers ………………………………………61,840 Carmel ………………………………………60,570 Noblesville ………………………………….40,115 Westfield ……………………………………13,444 Cicero …………………………………………4,400 5 LARGEST EMPLOYERS employees Sallie Mae…………………………………….2,300 Conseco Inc. …………………………………2,300 Marsh Supermarkets Inc………………….1,650 Resort Condominiums International ….1,200 EDS Corp. …………………………………….1,200 COUNTY […]

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2,293 results for 'indiana constitution'

Articles

EYE ON THE PIE: Give tax relief to those who truly need it

Loss of institute may polarize Statehouse debate: Board considers shuttering respected government research organization

VIEWPOINT: Reform won’t require constitutional rewrite

Commentary: Exclusion isn’t a Christian value

Governor playing deal-maker with property-tax plan

Businesses may swallow Daniels’ property tax plan despite initial grumbles about its implications:

EYE ON THE PIE: Many are fans of ‘the man’s’ plan

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: It’s time to use mass-appraisal model on state’s homes

THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW: It’s standing-room only at the seat of justice

STATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Politicos set framework for debate over property taxes

Critics fear tax reform will favor suburbs

Biz issues move to back seat: Property-tax reform leaves little time for other work

Amendment for houses of worship

A&E: ‘Scoundrels’ con at Clowes; we play games at home

EYE ON THE PIE: Tying up the loose ends of 2007

Naked in Carmel

SPORTS: College football playoff is, suddenly, on the table

STATEHOUSE DISPATCH: Property-tax abolition isn’t off table after all

Property-tax plan shifts tab for poor relief from counties to state

Spotlight on Hamilton County