On Tuesday, January 22nd at approximately 5:40 pm the Chairman of the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee, Senator David Long, started a public hearing on SJR 8, the Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Property Taxes and a new bill, Senate Bill 100, which would set up a study committee on the repeal of homestead property taxes. Senator Long is also the leader of the State Senate.
Committee Hearing Shuts Out Public!
Senator Long held a committee hearing on January 8th on SJR 8 that permitted the public to testify both for and against SJR 8. This was the right thing to do.However, on January 22nd Senator Long refused to let the citizens who came to the committee hearing to testify on either SJR 8 or the new bill, Senate Bill 100. After a long opening statement where he demeaned those who wanted to repeal property taxes, he proceeded to discuss the new bill, Senate Bill 100, which would set up a study committee. This bill had never been discussed in a public committee hearing prior to January 22nd. Senator Long abused his position as the Chairman of the Rules Committee and refused to allow any of the more than 20 citizens who came to the hearing to testify on Senate Bill 100.
Nothing Like This In Over 25 Years!
I have had the privilege of working with both Republican and Democrat Committee Chairmen in the House and Senate for over 25 years. I have never seen a Committee Chairman do what Senator Long did on January 22nd!
Senator Long Kills SJR 8! The responsible thing for Senator Long and the Rules Committee to have done on January 22nd was to have voted to send SJR 8 to the full Senate so that all 50 Senators could have had a fair, full and open debate. Additionally, all 50 Senators could have then cast a public vote on SJR 8 so that Hoosiers would have known where their Senator stood on this important issue. Unfortunately this didn’t happen!Senator Long knew SJR 8 would pass the Senate so he single handedly refused to even let the Rules Committee vote on SJR 8 so it could go to the full Senate.
Senator Long’s Actions Were Politics As Usual!
It was a shame and wrong that Senator Long did not permit all 50 Senators to have the opportunity to publicly debate and vote on SJR 8 to Repeal Property Taxes.
It Was Politics As Usual!
It was a shame and wrong that Senator Long prevented the citizens of Indiana the opportunity to know if their Senator supported the Repeal of Property Taxes. It was politics as usual!Senator Long knows the legislature has over 3 years before property taxes could be completely repealed. This is more than enough time to improve on Advance America’s Plan and come up with the best replacement plan.
But the Battle Is Not Over!
We will continue to work with Republican and Democrat Legislators to add language dealing with the Repeal of Property Taxes to another Resolution moving through the Legislature.
What Can You Do?
Step 1: Call or Email your Senator and Representative and ask them to support the Repeal of Property Taxes so you can finally have the right to own your own home, farm or business.*To find out who your Legislators are go to www.AdvanceAmerica.com and click on “Who are my Elected Officials?”
Step 2: Come to the Property Tax Rally on Friday, February 1st at noon at the State House.
Working together we can Repeal Property Taxes in Indiana and help you and your family!