Published: January 08, 2008 09:03 am            

Tribune-Star editorial: Tax agenda requires public attention

Citizens must bring heat on legislators

Part 3 of a series

This is the third in a series of three editorials concerning Indiana’s need to reform its property tax and local government system. The series is a collaboration of Indiana newspapers owned by CNHI, a national newspaper ownership group. The editorial series was created by the Tribune-Star, Kokomo Tribune and Anderson Herald Bulletin. Today’s editorial is by the Tribune-Star.

A heavy weight of anticipation will hang in the Statehouse air today as the short session of the 105th Indiana General Assembly is gaveled to order.

The eruption of a full-blown property tax crisis last summer, when residential property owners encountered startling increases in their tax bills, ensured that high tension would greet lawmakers in 2008.

There are only 30 official session days allowed by law this year, so legislators face an ominous task: Make significant progress toward improving Indiana’s property tax system, and begin the process of reforming local government to make it more cost-efficient and effective.

Such an agenda would be daunting even in a long legislative session, when the biennial budget is crafted and adopted. Accomplishing major change in the way government does business in an abbreviated session poses an even more difficult challenge.

With the looming election season — which includes a gubernatorial race — politics will never be far from center stage. Hoosiers who understand Indiana politics are not naive about the situation. They know impending elections have major impact on legislative deliberations. How much of an impact this time remains to be seen.

The question facing the Hoosier citizenry is clear. Given the complex circumstances that threaten to tie this session in knots, will legislators be able to muster the political will to trigger dramatic change?

The answer should be equally clear. They can. And they must.

As always, there is devil in the details. While consensus exists over the need for change in the property tax and governmental system, the exact methods by which change can be implemented remain subject to hot debate.

The fear of political fallout at the ballot box also complicates the process. In the past, important legislation was blocked because of concerns over who might get credit — or blame — for specific actions.

But engaged citizens can help keep their lawmakers on course. It is essential that legislators hear from their constituents early and often this session.

How can you do that? Write letters. Make phone calls. Send e-mails. Keep track of legislative progress, or lack of it, by reading newspapers and visiting the state’s legislative Web site (www.in.gov/legislative). Information is out there. Make an effort to pursue it.

Legislators have an obligation to represent their constituents. It’s up to constituents to hold them accountable. We urge you to do so.

Contact your legislators

• By phone: Representatives can be reached toll-free at 1-800-382-9842. Senators can be reached at 1-800-382-9467.

• By mail: Mailing address for representatives and senators is 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

• By e-mail, use the e-mail form on each legislator’s page, which can be reached from the state’s legislative Web site, www.in.gov/legislative. Click on the “Legislators” button on the left side of the main page.

        

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