Senate Democrats Urge Plan for Immediate Delivery of Rebate Checks

“We need to get these refund checks to the taxpayers in time to help with their November tax bill,” Young said. “The state is in the fortunate position to make that advance from our surplus, and I think we need to make it happen.”

Under the Senate Democratic Caucus plan, funds advanced from the state’s general fund would be reimbursed by revenue received from on or before November 1 from the horse track licensing fee payments. The checks could be issued as soon as the remaining counties submit their assessment data.

Young said Indiana homeowners do not have the time for argument and blame, they need action and relief.

“While the blame for the current situation can be spread among many different individuals, it is not productive to engage in partisan finger pointing regarding past transgressions,” Young said in the letter. “We need to look prospectively at bipartisan solutions that are in the best interest of our constituents.”

Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus have been long-time advocates of property tax reform in Indiana and see the current situation as an opportunity to dramatically improve our taxation system in this state.

Young said he hopes to see serious consideration of permanent solutions in the upcoming General Assembly, including use of state revenue to pay for certain state expenses currently paid for with local property tax money. Also on the caucus’s agenda is a plan to provide targeted exemptions to mitigate the impact of reassessment for deserving property owners, including homeowners with limited incomes and historic properties.