The Hoosier Property Tax Reform Alliance was formed because we have repeatedly heard from our friends and family, our neighbors and co-workers - that if we stand idly by while our property tax system fails us, we are failing ourselves. We need substantial reform now and have joined together to provide support for meaningful, responsible, real and lasting property tax reform; for progress in Indiana.

We are comprised of concerned citizens and corporations alike, is seeking to bring together Hoosiers – from many different walks of life – through a grass roots effort and contribute " real" solutions amid concerns that could, adversely affect the state's housing market and its economic well being.

We stand for an immediate and lasting change in Indiana's property tax system with six guiding principles:

Property tax reform must help homeowners;
Property tax reform must include a fair and modernized assessment system;
Property tax reform must be permanent and predictable;
Property tax reform must make government spending accountable;
Property tax reform must preserve and grow Indiana's economy;
Property tax reform must be now.

It is our hope that you will stand with us.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM MUST HELP HOMEOWNERS

Buying a home is a substantial investment. Not only are you investing in your future but when you own a home, you own a piece of your community and expect that investment to grow and enrich the lives of you, your family and your community.

An immediate reduction in the property tax burden must be realized for all Hoosier homeowners.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM MUST INCLUDE A FAIR AND MODERNIZED ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

Homeowners expect property taxes to be based on a fair assessment of their home. The Alliance strongly supports a fair and modernized assessment system, and encourages further modernization of state and local government consistent with the types of proposals put forth by the Kernan-Shephard Commission. The Alliance believes progress must be made in this regard as soon as possible.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM MUST BE PERMANENT AND PREDICTABLE

For decades, the state has undergone the cycle of short-term property tax relief followed by longer-term property tax crisis. The only way to break this cycle is to place permanent limits on property taxes into the State Constitution. To that end, the group is encouraged by Governor Daniels' effort to cap property taxes.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM MUST MAKE GOVERNMENT SPENDING ACCOUNTABLE

The Alliance believes that public input must be increased as it involves government spending. Any plan that makes a real difference in property taxation will have to address our complex and confusing tax structure. Our current property tax system is so convoluted that elected officials are free to act without any real accountability. Each local taxing district determines it budget in relative isolation and sends you its part of the bill, which is only added up when it hits your mailbox. As a result our taxes continue to grow out of control.

The Alliance supports any effort to strengthen taxpayers' voice in local government spending through local control boards and public referendums. The Hoosiers who pay the bills should have a voice in how high their tax bill will be.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM MUST PRESERVE AND GROW INDIANA'S ECONOMY

The solution to Indiana's tax issues must preserve and grow Indiana's economy. Substantial progress has been made in the past several years and property tax reform should preserve this progress. The property tax system – as it is – is an unfair tax for all taxpayers, and reform must be more than an exercise of shifting a tax increase from one taxpayer to another.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM MUST BE NOW

If not now, then when? This problem has been ignored and solutions postponed for too long. Now is the time to make real change happen. Any plans that delay tax reform into later years should be viewed skeptically. Our officials need our support in making courageous decisions for the future of our state, and they need our support now.