DeLaney votes against SALTR report, average homeowner’s homestead payment increased by 92%

Today (Nov. 20), the State and Local Tax Review Task Force (SALTR) met to discuss its final report. Since 2011 when Republicans became the majority party, homestead property taxes have doubled from $1.9 billion to $3.9 billion. The average property tax per homestead has increased from $1,085 to $2,090, a 92% increase. The report passed with State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) voting against the recommendations.

DeLaney released the following statement on the report:  

“After two years of study, SALTR has managed to produce a proposed report that downplayed the impact of property taxes on homeowners. Homeowner’s property taxes have jumped by 92%. All the majority party could come up with to solve this problem was ‘more effective controls on property tax bills.’  Most of the tax cut proposals affect property that earns revenue. Owners of factories and apartments generate income to pay their property taxes. Senior citizens and new homeowners don't have that benefit.

“We’ve gouged the homeowners. This report prefers business interests over our homeowners who continue to lose. Ordinary Hoosiers are paying for complex maneuvers that allow businesses to pay less. This shifts the tax burden from businesses to ordinary homeowners. 

“A housing crisis is plaguing Hoosiers. Our young people can’t buy their first house, and our elderly can no longer afford to stay in them. Homestead property taxes are partly to blame. 

“We need to ask ourselves: Are the tax caps just another failed government promise?”

DeLaney holds press conference on status of education funding

Yesterday (Oct. 2), State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) held a press conference to discuss key findings from a report prepared at his request by the Legislative Services Agency (LSA). LSA is the nonpartisan agency responsible for assisting the Indiana General Assembly in matters of research and fiscal analysis. This report contains historical data for education expenditures dating back to 2011, the year that Republicans became the majority party in both houses of the state legislature. 

“In recent years, any discussion of education funding in Indiana turns into an argument of who is getting what between public, private and charter schools. The fact of the matter is that funding for education as a whole in Indiana has decreased since Republicans took over the legislature. According to the data in this report, total funding for schools of all types has dropped from 44.3% of the state budget in 2011, to 39.8% in 2024. 

“As stated in the Indiana constitution to which the legislature is beholden, we have two responsibilities: pass a budget and maintain a uniform system of public schools. Currently, public schools in Indiana educate nearly 90% of students. 

“It comes as no surprise that funding for traditional public schools has taken the biggest hit from the reduction in education funding, from 43.1% of the state budget in 2011, to 36.4%. As a result of cutting state funding for education, we have put pressure on property taxes charged to Hoosier homeowners. School districts have no choice but to turn to local property tax revenue to get adequate funding to continue providing students with an education.

“At the same time as these funding cuts, we have seen our state college-going rate drop alarmingly. Approximately 8,000 fewer Hoosier high schoolers each year go on to pursue post-secondary education today than would have been expected in 2011.

“The 2025 budget session is quickly approaching. While the legislature likes to get way off topic when it comes to education, it is essential that we address how much our state has devalued our education system. Instead of making teachers walk on eggshells while trying to discuss the topic of book banning, let's give them the funding they need to teach their students how to proficiently read and write. Instead of concerning ourselves with forcing university professors to pass ideological tests, let's instead focus on how to fill their classrooms with Hoosier high school graduates.” 

Click here to view the report. 

DeLaney congratulates Gov.Holcomb on his successful visit to Ukraine

Yesterday, Gov. Eric Holcomb visited Kyiv, Ukraine to create a future economic, academic and cultural partnership between the two governments. The governor met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Zhytomyr region and the state of Indiana. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement regarding the governor’s visit: 

“I’d like to congratulate our governor for visiting Kyiv. I’m proud of this show of support for the Ukrainian people. It’s clear that Indiana stands by the Ukrainian nation in the wake of Russia’s heinous invasion of their homeland. 

“Holcomb has enthusiastically cooperated with the legislature as we attempted to aid the Ukrainian nationals in Indiana under humanitarian parole status. 

“His visit creates the opportunity to help Ukraine rebuild post-war. Post-war reconstruction is a multidimensional process that requires the aid and resources of close political friends. 

“Holcomb's opinion piece in today’s IndyStar reflects the sentiments of thousands of Hoosiers. There’s an innate desire to help the underdog up against a global superpower. 

“I’m sure our governor will agree with me when I say: Slava Ukraini!”