1,2,3 GO!!...

The push is on by a lot of folks to convince the Indiana Legislature to pass the Constitutional caps on property taxes, one of the steps necessary to allow the caps to go before the voters in 2010, and possibly become permanent. The proposed caps would limit property taxes to 1% of the assessed valuation of owner occupied homes, 2% of that value on rental properties, and 3% of that value on business properties.

A lot of folks think it's a good idea, and I suppose some limitation on taxes is better than no limitation on taxes. But.... some neighbors over in Henry County have received their new property assessment values. One farmer reports that the assessed value of all of his properties has increased over the last assessment. Another farmer reports that a grain bin he built for $3500.00 several years ago is now assessed at $14,000.00.

It's not to much of a stretch to imagine that even with the caps in place, the assessed values of homes, rentals and businesses will be increased to meet the growing appetite of government, supplementing the new and increased state and local taxes that were implemented to replace the supposedly lower property taxes.

Property taxes allow the government to seize your home.

The government couldn't make them fair even if it tried.

Or even if it wanted to.

It's past time we eliminated them.