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Property Tax Deal Near, Governor Asks Democrats To Sign

Last updated on Friday, March 7, 2008

(STATEHOUSE) - House and Senate Republicans have agreed among themselves on a final property-tax deal and Governor Daniels is prodding Democrats to sign on.

Daniels credits fellow Republicans with working to address Democrats' concerns the package will hurt schools and low-income Hoosiers.

Their proposal increases the earned income tax credit, gives schools 100-million dollars in transition money, and allows referenda on breaking the tax caps. Daniels says he'll sign the bill if it's passed in that form.

House Speaker Patrick Bauer (D-South Bend) says he's discussed elements of the plan with Republicans, but says they're jumping the gun to roll it out publicly before formally presenting it to Democratic negotiators.

Democrats have made a concession of their own, agreeing to base any circuit breaker on your home's value, not your income.

House Ways and Means Chairman William Crawford (D-Indianapolis) says Democrats would prefer to limit the circuit breaker to homeowners. He says caps on farm and business taxes are the biggest threat to local government and school budgets.

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