Officials in Kokomo and Howard County are in a tough spot. The “new” Chrysler created after its bankruptcy
sale to Fiat contends it‘s no longer on the hook for $12.9 million it owes various local taxing bodies this year and
$12.3 million it will owe next year.
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is so desperate for more marketing funding, the organization charged
with promoting the city as a convention and tourism destination is considering taking out a loan. While that
would be the last resort, ICVA CEO Don Welsh said it is one he will have to consider if the money can’t be raised through
local taxes.
“Most people hate to pay taxes,” Gregory Goad said. “They don’t appreciate the services taxes support,
they don’t understand why taxes are necessary, or they don’t like to help people in need.”
To use a gardening metaphor, have the courage to prune back in a tough economy, and plant new seeds before the weather improves.
The process of assessment could be simplified and performed uniformly and inexpensively.
Put some progressivity into Indiana tax rates when passing the Indiana state budget.
If a city really wants to attract people to its city (to live and visit), it has to become a better city, but to become a better city it has to know what it is and what it wants to be and what it can be.
The Indiana Recycling Coalition scored big in the just-concluded session of the Indiana General Assembly with the passage
of House Bill 1589, which requires that electronics manufacturers help pay for recycling of their old televisions and computer
monitors.
The Central Indiana Land Trust anticipates bringing nearly 800 acres valuable to conservation under its protection this year,
thanks to a generous tax incentive for property owners.
Well-intentioned or not, competent or not, the so-called “leaders” [sports columnist Bill Benner] referenced in your [May 4] column failed miserably in representing the best interests of taxpayers and instead presided over an unconscionable transfer of wealth from “We the people” to a small number of professional sports owners and players.
Critics say the Legislature’s plan to shore up the insolvent Indiana Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund places the bulk of the financial
burden on already ailing businesses with the least ability to pay.
With a town government behind them, Fairland-area residents hope any future growth will be to their benefit.
When we read that all the Democrats in the House voted against all the Republicans in the House on a given issue, we know independence has been cruelly killed by the leadership of each party. The same applies to the Senate.
If an honest case for the general good cannot be made (as in the case of most education services, and, sports, entertainment and tourist facilities), government revenue streams should not be used to support private enterprises.
The Marion County Capital Improvement Board’s bailout depends on the success of Indianapolis’ new downtown JW Marriott convention hotel.
The state’s overreliance on gambling, what once seemed like easy money, is becoming a major concern to taxpayers.
The solution to ending the current recession is not more trillion-dollar debt on future social health care, education and energy ideas, nor any increase in taxes.
House Bill 1338 introduces a change to many (but not all) of our state’s tax incentives, adding what is known as a “clawback” provision, offering a reasonable and fair adjustment to our current tax incentives.
Whether it’s structuring local government to fit the 21st century, financing sports stadiums, achieving property tax reform or putting the state’s unemployment fund on sound footing, our leaders consistently show their failure to lead.
Raising Indianapolis’ tax on hotel rooms — already one of the highest rates in the nation — could be the tipping
point that causes conventioneers to bypass Indianapolis, some industry experts say.
