Property-tax opponent Eric Miller didn’t seem to mind sharing the news cycle with Gov. Mitch Daniels’ announcement on the subject. He believes his own idea is better.
One hour after Daniels called for a “hard cap” on property-tax percentages, hundreds of Southern Indiana residents gathered in downtown New Albany to hear his primary election opponent in 2004 describe a five-year plan to abolish property taxes.
“I’m glad the governor has finally started talking about the need for a constitutional amendment,” said Miller, on stage at The Grand convention center along Market Street. “The only thing is, it’s the wrong constitutional amendment.”
He acknowledged that he shared Daniels’ view of the need to use state surplus to reduce the tax burden.
Miller is the most prominent mouthpiece of the nonprofit Advance America. The group proposes phasing out Indiana property taxes until their disappearance in 2012, replacing the revenue with a 2-cent sales-tax hike and a one-percentage-point income-tax hike, among other things.
Daniels would cap property-tax bills at between 1 percent and 3 percent of a property’s value, raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent and forego an income-tax hike. Miller cited unnamed elected officials as having employed the “scare tactic” of predicting nonproperty tax rates would need to be doubled.
Organizers estimated about 380 to 400 people attended the rally. Petitions for property-tax abolition were attached to clipboards around the hall.
Miller spoke from 7:10 p.m. to 8 p.m. The crowd was mostly quiet while he moved briskly through a slide-show presentation, though he got a widespread round of applause for suggesting that all local government construction projects be subject to approval by referendum.
Daniels’ plan calls for “significant” construction to be approved in such a manner, although the scope requiring public OK wasn’t defined.
Miller recognized elected officials and candidates in attendance, including former congressman Mike Sodrel, New Albany mayoral candidate Doug England and several city and county council members.
As Daniels prepares to lobby his plan to the state legislature, Miller told his audience he needs a handful of extra votes in each body to pass his proposal. Miller said 43 of 100 representatives and 18 of 50 senators back him.
So does Charles Roberson, a Floyd County owner of “more than five” residential and commercial properties.
“I’m not interested in anything the governor or any of the other politicians have to say,” Roberson said. “I’m for repealing under a constitutional amendment. They should let us vote.”
Tom Van Meter was “hoping there’d be more people here,” but the Elizabeth bus driver and retiree still took some yard signs and signed a petition. This year, the biannual bill for his farm rose from $391 to $465.
Van Meter said he preferred Miller’s plan over Daniels’, partly because as a retiree, an income-tax hike won’t affect him much.
Clark County
Miller renews push for tax abolition in Indiana
Event held in New Albany
-
-
Half of Jeffersonville Fire Department overtime budget already gone
During the closing moments of the meeting Councilman Matt Owen said he was shocked by Mayor Moore’s plans and comments pertaining to two Jeffersonville Parks and Recreation Department matters reported in the News and Tribune during the last week.
Continued ... -
Charlestown resident makes appeal for filtration plant
“I understand that manganese is a secondary contaminant and it’s not something that’s necessarily harmful to health,” Burchett said. “I would much prefer that the water that comes into my home have as little manganese in it as possible, as well as anything else. I just want water.”
Continued ... - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 7, 2012
-
Student sues to wear breast cancer bracelet
An Indiana eighth-grader sued his school district in federal court Monday for the right to wear a bracelet promoting breast cancer awareness with the message “I (heart) Boobies.”
Continued ... -
Elderly man robbed outside Jeffersonville bank
The man returned to his car and sat down to close the car door when Williams grabbed the door and reached inside the vehicle, Hollis said.
Continued ... -
A fair fee? Indiana imposing fees for 4-H participants for the first time
Allen said his hope is the fee being charged by the state and the county will be enough to cover costs and that 4-H members will not be asked to cover any more expenses.
Continued ...
“They have never had to pay a program fee,” Allen said. - News and Tribune briefs for Feb. 6, 2012
- Feb 5, 2012
-
CAPITOL CROSSROADS: Bauer tactics unite, divide outnumbered Dems
Democrats like Rep. Peggy Welch, who was drawn into a more Republican district last year, refused to boycott with Bauer.
Continued ... -
Greater Clark begins Fitness Calendar Challenge
Teresa Stengel, health services coordinator, said if other family members get involved with students, children might be more likely to continue with exercise routines and watching their diets.
Continued ... -
Man struck, killed on I-65
The preliminary investigation shows Jones was struck by a northbound Chevrolet Penske rental van driven by Patrick Shroering, 26, of Mount Washington, Ky.
Continued ...
-
