Indiana

STATEHOUSE UPDATE

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I’m in the House chamber this afternoon.  Lawmakers are concurring on some small bills, while HB 1001 (property tax reform) is at the printer.  There are a few more details this afternoon such as counties with more than 20 percent of their budget going to debt service are free from the tax caps (Lake and St. Joseph) are the only two impacted, but once the debt goes below 20 percent the caps kick in.  In addition, the referendum dollar amount on schools is $20 million for high schools and $10 million for elementary.   A vote is expected tomorrow.

There is supposed to be a conference committee hearing on the illegal immigration bill in about 30 minutes.  I spoke to conferee chair Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) who said he really didn’t see a need for the bill as there is a version waiting over in the Senate which could be passed today.

I’ll have more details later.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 13, 2008 (boomark / email).