Indiana

48 HOURS

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

That’s about as long as Indiana lawmakers have to close up shop with a deal on property tax reform before they have to start all over.  From what I’ve been able to gather late this afternoon, it looks like a deal has been reached on caps but they won’t be included (for now) in the state Constitution.  Lawmaker are also, I’m told, working on which entities might be exempt from the caps.

It also looks like the state is going to pick up a number of levies, including the pre-1977 police pension fund which has socked Indianapolis for $25 million a year on average.  In addition it also looks like the city won’t have to repeal the increase in the local option income tax and instead will be able to provide residents with more property tax relief.

This is what I hear for now, as always this could change.  But this is what I know right now.

Other news:  Barack Obama will be here Saturday.   My sources tell me they don’t know exactly when, but it will be an event near the airport.

The State Election Commission met this afternoon to hear a number of challenges.  It turned down a challenge to John McCain appearing on the ballot by holding signatures gathered in Indiana’s 4th Congressional District did meet state requirements.

It also turned down a challenge to State Senator Brent Waltz’ residency and was split over whether to hear whether Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Schellinger violated campaign finance law through use of a private plane to make campaign trips.

We’ll be at the State House tomorrow morning broadcasting live so be sure to tune in.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 12, 2008 (boomark / email).