By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Some long-enduring campaigns seem a part of our Hoosier fabric: The Cubs covet a World Series win and Indiana Farm Bureau hammers at their quest for property tax reform, both to no avail.

But there may be light at the end of the tunnel for IFB during these closing days of the Indiana General Assembly.

Though it does not entirely eliminate property taxes, HB 1478 would provide permanent property tax relief for all taxpayers while providing local government the tools to replace lost revenues and make future reliance on property taxes modest.

The bill is now under consideration by a House-Senate conference committee. Among the provisions of the bill are removing the school general fund from the property tax rolls and giving local units of government the option to increase income taxes.

It would also create a local review board to evaluate large public building projects.

The board would be made up of school, county and municipal elected officials plus two elected citizen members. The review board would have the power to approve, disapprove or modify construction of all schools and other municipal buildings with a cost of $7 million or greater that would be backed by property taxes.

The bill also reallocates the responsibility of paying for services between state government and local government and provides a funding mechanism to pay for additional state responsibilities.

The provisions of the bill are in accordance with IFB policy, which has been reaffirmed repeatedly over the years by IFB delegates.

“The plan now under consideration may not be perfect, but it’s not just tax relief – it’s the beginning of tax reform,” said Katrina Hall,

IFB tax and local government specialist. “There’s an urgency to take some action, not only because of farmers but because of what could happen to homeowners.”

The urgency, according to IFB, is that the current property tax system, which has been troubled for years, is now broken.

Most property owners still haven’t gotten their tax bills for this year because almost every county is running behind on this process.

Farmers are also worried about what will happen in 2008 when the base farmland value goes up from $880 to $1,140 per year.

“Most people don’t have any idea what their tax bill (payable in 2007) will be,” Hall said. “It’s not fair for property taxpayers to be in the dark.”

Farm Bureau urges farmers and other property owners to call their legislators and tell them how property taxes are affecting them now and about their concerns for the future. Contact senators at 317-232-9400 or 1-800-382-9467 or representatives at 317-232-9600 or 1-800-382-9842.

To find a legislator online and send an e-mail by visiting the Indiana Farm Bureau website at www.infarmbureau.org and clicking on “Contact Your Legislator,” or visit www.in.gov/legislative