Protesters demand steeper property tax cut in Indiana

By GARRETT BERGQUIST
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

Frustrated homeowners on Monday said state lawmakers should restore a proposed rate reset in Gov. Mike Braun’s property tax plan.

The rally at the Statehouse came as state lawmakers continue to argue over the provisions of Senate Bill 1, the bill carrying Braun’s property tax relief proposal.

Brownsburg resident Sharlene Bersinger told News 8 her property tax bill is nearly $3,000 per year higher than it was four years ago. She said this has cut into her ability to buy things for her children and grandchildren.

“I’m not getting ready to sell my house,” Bersinger said. “I would like to leave it for my kids when I’m gone. But if taxes keep going the way they are, I don’t know if I can do that.”

The question of balancing meaningful property tax relief with the needs of public schools and municipal services has bedeviled lawmakers throughout the debate over SB 1.

Braun’s original plan would have reset all homeowners’ property tax rates back to 2021 levels. That proposal would have cost local governments more than $1 billion next year and more than $1.5 billion a year by 2028. This would have included losses in the tens of millions for some school corporations. The Senate removed that provision from the bill, prompting outrage from Braun’s supporters and a veto threat from the governor.

SB 1 is currently sitting in the House Ways and Means Committee, which discussed a potential amendment to the bill last week but did not vote on it. Committee Chair Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, has said he wants committee members to explore different options before they send the bill to the House floor. The committee has until April 10 to send the bill to the full House.

Braun headlined Monday’s rally, which also included Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, three House Republicans, and county commissioners from Brown and Marshall counties.

“I’m asking this state government to get back on track and run itself efficiently. It’s not like we’re asking locals and school districts to do anything more,” Braun said.

The governor did not directly address proposed amendments to SB 1 but said he expects the final version will be more favorable to homeowners while still funding local services.

Marshall County Commissioner Jesse Bohannon told the crowd he disagrees with what many of his fellow city and county officials have told lawmakers about the potential impact of SB 1. He said governments like his already have significant cash reserves, some of which he believes should be refunded to taxpayers.

“If we set the right priorities on the state and local levels, we can cut taxes and provide the effective, limited government that our people deserve,” he said.

A small group of Indianapolis Public Schools music teachers had a previously scheduled event nearby, to which they included signs decrying the potential impact of SB 1. IPS would have lost more than $19 million next year under the original version of SB 1.

“Right as I started playing, somebody shouted at me, ‘You’re taking our property taxes,’ and I just thought, what are you talking about? Public school bands, school bands are taking your property taxes?” music teacher Adrea McCloud said. “The savings of an average of $43 per homeowner isn’t really going to benefit the public but fully funding our schools will.”

Bersigner said she doesn’t believe the argument that SB 1 endangers schools or municipal services.

“I’m from Brownsburg, and they tried the scare tactic with the school referendum and they’re building like crazy,” she said. “So that was just a scare tactic and gaslighting. I don’t believe any of it.”

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/indiana-property-tax-reset-rally.

Reporter photos