Local governments in Indiana say they are going to face extraordinary pressures because of property tax caps and an expected drop in income tax revenues, so they're asking legislators to be cautious about putting the caps into the state constitution:
Rep. Terry Goodin, D-Crothersville, said the confluence of pressures should force lawmakers to take some action to help local governments.
“Local government is going to have to survive,” Goodin said. “Local governments provide the services that people want and people demand.”
But even if the General Assembly approves the amendment putting the caps into the constitution, it won't take effect unless voters approve it in a November referendum. Indiana citizens will, in effect, be voting on what services "they want and demand," or at least the ones they're willing to pay for through property taxes. As a referendum approached, I presume local-government representatives would attempt to educate voters about what services they receive, what they cost and what might be in jeopardy if funds were diminished.
Or are Hoosiers too dumb to be trusted with their own fate?
