Press Release – August 27, 2007
* Miller Challenges Politicians To Put People Before Politics *
[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, August 27th 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 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 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.”
“With the crisis continuing to unfold, with the best of intentions Governor Daniels along with the leader of the Senate, Senator David Long and the Speaker of the House, Representative Pat Bauer issued a joint statement on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 that did not provide any permanent solution to the crisis and neither did they provide any immediate solution to help all property owners in Indiana this year.”
Miller pointed out that he has spoken to and heard from thousands of Hoosiers concerning the repeal of property taxes. Hoosiers want a permanent solution to the property tax crisis. Hoosiers want an immediate solution to the property tax crisis. Hoosiers do not want politics as usual.”
Miller stated 4 goals for property taxes. Goal #1 – Hoosiers deserve the right to own their own home, farm and business. Goal #2 – Hoosiers deserve the right to finally have a permanent solution to the property tax problem. Goal #3 – Hoosiers deserve the right to not repeat history. Goal #4 – Hoosiers deserve the right to be able to vote to repeal property taxes.
“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 spoke about the replacement of property taxes. “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 and business replacement revenue.” Miller mentioned the Property Tax Repeal Rallies coming up in Warsaw and Garrett.
Concerning an immediate solution, Miller called on Governor Daniels to call a Special Session and for legislators to serve without pay. He outlined three items for the Special Session:
- Convert the $300 million rebate into a credit on the fall bills to help this year.
- Use money from the state surplus to provide an additional credit on the fall bills this year.
- Use money from the recently passed 2 year state budget to provide an additional credit on the fall bills this year.
Miller stated that politics as usual was no longer acceptable to Hoosiers. He called for a full debate of the Constitutional Amendment in the House and Senate Committees next year and passage to the full House and Senate where the resolutions should be voted on by all 150 legislators. “Legislative leaders in the House and Senate should not use political games and political maneuvering to stop the resolutions from being voted on by the entire House and Senate.”
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 in 2007 and permanently.
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 or 317-684-3300
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