In case you want to read the whole article on how the Governor weighed in on the property tax issue, here it is:
12:33 PM February 28, 2008
Prop tax debate includes threat of special session
By Mary Beth Schneider
mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com
February 28, 2008
Gov. Mitch Daniels might call lawmakers into special session if they reach agreement on a property tax package but fail to pass a constitutional amendment permananently capping property tax bills, Senate leaders said today.
But Daniels, speaking to reporters shortly afterward, said he doesn't expect to have to make that decision.
"I dont think it will come to that," he said. "This is clearly something that a huge majority of Hoosiers believe is fair and want. I think the legislators know it. I think that in the end, given a free opportunity to do so, a big majority will vote for it."
But Daniels also made it clear he considers putting the caps into the constitution crucial.
"There aren't too many things that I think of as absolute musts in this bill, but that's one," he said. "I want to be as flexible as I can be about the specifics of the package. I welcome a lot of changes, but not this one. We need the caps."
Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, agree.
Those caps, initially proposed by Daniels in October, would cap homeowners' bills at 1 percent of their home's assessed valuation; rental and agricultural property at 2 percent and business property at 3 percent.
Democrats who control the House will vote on the proposed constitutional amendment later today, but have altered the caps so that for homeowners, the limits would be based in part on income. The goal, they have said, is to do more to help lower and moderate-income Hoosiers.
Kenley said he spoke to Daniels on Wednesday.
"He was very strong" on the need for the caps to be in the constitution, "and might even call us into a special session if we do everything else and don't have the constitutional cap," Kenley said. "I actually would applaud him if he stood to that level of strength on the issue, because I agree with that."
Long said Daniels told them the caps are "crucial."
Lawmakers have until March 14 to pass a property reform package. Daniels has warned that if they fail, he will call them into special session. Kenley and Long, though, said they are optimistic the legislature can reach an agreement that avoids an overtime session.