By Times-Mail Editorial Board, tmnews@tmnews.com
Sen. Luke Kenley is a Republican from Noblesville, chairman of the Senate Tax Committee and, apparently, one of few lawmakers blessed with common sense.
It fell to Kenley to "just say no" last week to a piece of irresponsible posturing passed by the House.
It happened like this.
The House was considering a bill that would grant homeowners some property tax breaks. But House members didn't stop there. By a unanimous vote, they added an amendment that would eliminate property taxes entirely by 2008. Then, on the final vote, they passed the whole mess 97-1 and sent it to the Senate.
Rep. Gerald Torr, R-Carmel, said the vote to eliminate property taxes was a symbolic statement.
We need a lot less symbolism, and a lot more realism, from our state lawmakers.
We dislike property taxes as much as any Hoosier. They often hamper growth, impede investment and hold back people who are working hard to earn their part of the American Dream.
But unlike lottery revenue or income taxes, property taxes are stable. Property taxes raise about $5 billion a year. That money helps pay for a host of local government services, from schools and police departments to libraries and courthouses.
So, how did House members plan to replace that $5 billion?
They didn't.
The amendment's sponsor, Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, said his proposal would force future Legislatures and the governor to find alternative funding sources.
Note that attitude. It wouldn't be up to this Legislature and these lawmakers to find the alternative funds. It would be up to "future" Legislatures.
Right.
So it fell to Kenley to note the obvious. The provision, he said, was "not responsible."
"We're going to stick to the mantra that if you want to cut taxes, you need to find a solution for whatever replacement revenue you think is appropriate," Kenley said in an Associated Press article.
That's a good idea. It seems a rather basic one for elected representatives who are allegedly looking after the interest of all Hoosiers.
Mind you, this came on the heels of a House meltdown earlier in the week. The House shut down as lawmakers debated whether they should deal with an amendment that many saw as a thinly veiled attack on gays.
We are certainly in favor of meaningful property tax reform. If a suitable alternative can be found, we would entertain eliminating property taxes entirely. And we know that issues of gender are important to many.
But this is a short session. Lawmakers are coping with hugely complicated issues, from leasing the Indiana Toll Road to reforming telecommunications laws.
This is no time for political posturing and empty symbolism. This is a time for hard work and prudent action.
We Hoosiers deserve better from our lawmakers.