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?”