State Representative Tim : Last week at the Indiana Legislature

INDIANA STATEHOUSE - Legislation is starting to move at the Statehouse. This week, the House Ways and Means Committee, which hears all property tax legislation, passed Gov. Mitch Daniels property tax plan to the full House of Representative for a vote. The House will begin hearing the bill this week, and hopefully it will pass, so the Senate can begin debate.

Another bill that was heard in committee this past week was House Bill 1242, which deals with business matters. The bill was heard in the House Small Business and Economic Development Committee, where I sit as the Ranking Minority Member. I am against HB 1242 because it would reinstitute the inventory tax. This could be detrimental to many of our local distribution centers. The Wal-mart and Dollar General Store distribution centers located in Grant County because of the repeal of inventory tax. I will vote against this legislation and any other legislation that would hurt local economic development.

This past week, I also signed on to co-author three bills. They are all awaiting a committee hearing, but here is a look at what they would do.

House Bill 1018 would freeze property taxes for senior citizens who are at least 65 years of age, and have an annual income that does not exceed $30,000.

House Bill 1039 would create a sales tax holiday. Any item purchased at retail with a sales price of $2,500 or less, during a two day period beginning on the second Saturday of August would be exempt from state sales tax. This date falls right before the beginning of the school year, and would be helpful for parents buying school supplies and clothing.

House Bill 1307 would cap state spending. The bill would limit state spending to the change in gross nonfarm personal income. Recently, there has been a lot of talk about limiting local spending. I support limiting all government expenses, and this bill limits the state too, since it has an extended history of ever growing spending.   

As these bills move through the legislative process, I will do my best to keep you informed. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any of your questions, concerns or comments. I can be reached at h31@IN.gov; by phone at 1-800-382-9841; or by writing me at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Source: State Representative Tim Harris Press Release

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