Press Release – July 23, 2007

[Indianapolis, IN] Eric Miller, Founder of Advance America, appeared before the Commission on State
Tax and Financing Policy of the Indiana General Assembly on Monday, July 23 to offer solutions to the
property tax crisis.
After stating that Hoosiers are tired of political rhetoric and finger pointing about the property tax crisis,
Miller stated, “The American dream – to buy a home – has become a nightmare for homeowners around
the state.”
“With the best of intentions, however ill advised, local and state elected officials in both parties helped
create the current property tax crisis. They either created the problem through excessive government
spending or they stood by and watched it happen.”
“With the best of intentions, however ill advised, the 2007 General Assembly and Governor Daniels did
not provide any permanent solution to the property tax problem and neither did they protect homeowners,
senior citizens, farmers and businesses from the massive property tax increases they are receiving this
year.”
“After the crisis began to unfold, with the best of intentions and continuing to be ill advised, the proposals
from Governor Daniels and legislative leaders offered in the past several days and weeks will not provide
any permanent solution to the crisis and neither will they provide immediate relief this year to all property
owners in Indiana.”
“The only permanent solution is a Constitutional Amendment to repeal property taxes. In Indiana you
never really own your own home. If you buy a home, pay off your mortgage, live in your home for 10,
20, 30 years or more and then can’t pay your property taxes the government will take your home and sell
it.” Miller added, “Hoosiers deserve the right to own their own home.”
“Hoosiers deserve the right to vote to repeal property taxes.” He pointed out that the government has no
money to spend except the people’s money and that politicians have had decades to solve the property tax
problem but they’ve not been able to do it. “It’s time for the people to have the opportunity to vote to
repeal property taxes,” Miller explained.
“History can not repeat itself! For over 70 years whenever politicians raise one tax or create a new tax in
exchange for temporarily lowering property taxes, property taxes go right back up. The only way to not
repeat history is to repeal property taxes.”
Miller pointed out that the two major bills from the 2007 General Assembly did not provide a permanent
solution. “Both bills passed the Senate and House and were signed by the Governor.” House Bill 1001
creates a rebate of approximately $240 in 2008 for homeowners who filed a homestead exemption. “This
is an administrative nightmare costing millions of dollars that is nothing more that a political ploy
because a letter commending the legislators is to be included with the rebate check.” None of the money
will reach homeowners this year.
The second bill, House Bill 1478, repeats history by permitting local government to raise income taxes in
exchange for lowering property taxes. “History tells us that property taxes will go right back up,” Miller
warned.
Miller stated that his plan to repeal property taxes with a Constitutional Amendment is supported by 41
Representatives and 18 Senators. He pointed out that the list of legislators along with details for his plan
including the benefits of repealing property taxes and how to replace the revenue is on his website at
www.RepealPropertyTaxes.com. “The key is to control state and local government spending and then
only after the voters vote to repeal property taxes to pass a 1% income tax increase and 2% sales tax
increase.” Miller informed those present about the Property Tax Repeal Rallies coming up in
Greenwood, Muncie, Goshen and Madison.
Miller then presented a comprehensive plan to provide immediate relief to all property owners in Indiana:
1. Governor Daniels would order a new reassessment of all counties where the average homeowner
increase was 25% or more, or there was a question about the accuracy of the reassessment.
2. All property owners where a new reassessment was ordered would pay the amount they paid in
2006.
3. Any extra amount paid by the property owner would be refunded.
4. All local taxing districts would review their budgets in the next 30 days and identify areas to
reduce spending with the money being made available for immediate property tax relief.
5. Legislators and the Governor would review the next two year state budget during the next 30 days
and identify places to reduce spending with money going to immediate property tax relief. Each
would also make a recommendation about how much of the state surplus to use for immediate
relief.
6. Convert the $300 million rebate to a credit this year.
7. Governor to call a special session immediately after Labor Day to give local and state
government officials the opportunity to identify money to use for immediate property tax relief.
Legislators would serve without any additional pay during the special session.
8. Special session to implement immediate solution of Advance America and pass Constitutional
Amendment to begin the process of providing a permanent solution.
Miller concluded his remarks by stating that there can be a real permanent solution to the property tax
crisis and a real immediate solution but it will require the Governor to call a special session and for the
legislators to put aside their political differences and end the political rhetoric and focus on helping the
people of Indiana.
More information on Advance America’s plan to repeal property taxes, as well as upcoming Rallies, can
be found at www.AdvanceAmerica.com or by calling 1-800-448-8683. Additional Rallies will be held
around the state after property tax bills are received.
Advance America is a non-partisan educational organization that does not endorse any candidate or
political party. Advance America was founded by Eric Miller in 1980.
Miller is an attorney and the Founder of Advance America, a conservative pro-family and pro-tax reform
organization started in 1980.

Media Contact: Jeff@AdvanceAmerica.com or 317-684-3300

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