FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boots: bill eliminates all state property tax levies
(STATEHOUSE) –Sen. Phil Boots (R-Crawfordsville) believes state government can set a good example where property taxes are concerned if its meager share of that revenue is eliminated. Senate Bill 8, authored by Boots, takes the 0.1 percent of property tax revenue received by the state and returns it for use at the local level.
Current statewide figures show that while state government accounts for 0.1 percent of property taxes, schools account for 48.3 percent, county government 21 percent, cities and towns 18.4 percent, other local government functions 4.8 percent, libraries 4 percent, townships 3.2 percent and economic development .2 percent.
“This bill means that 100 percent of all property tax dollars are collected and spent at the local level,” Boots said. “Senate Bill 14 completely eliminates state government receiving any property tax dollars and guarantees that property taxes strictly fund local schools and government.”
The 0.1 percent of property taxes collected by the state provides funding for the state fair, state forestry and Department of Local Government Finance data base management. Boots, a supporter of these programs, proposes utilizing more appropriate state revenues in order to fund the three divisions. He is optimistic the state can wean itself from its portion of property taxes and find alternative revenue sources while at the same time cutting costs.
“I am committed to more closely aligning state responsibilities with state budgets and local responsibilities with local budgets,” Boots said. “Property taxes fund local schools and government– annually determined, collected and spent at the local level.”
“While Hoosiers acknowledge that property taxes are local taxes, property taxpayers are looking to the General Assembly and the governor to solve the problem,” Boots said. “This bill is a symbolic step in that direction.”
Boots’ bill eliminating property tax levies used by the state was introduced on Organization Day, and if passed, will take effect upon the approval of the next state budget.
Sen. Boots represents Senate District 23, which includes Montgomery County, Fountain County, and portions of Boone, Clinton, Warren and Hendricks counties.
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