Miller votes against Republican tax hike on Hoosiers

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill 1 with an amendment that will potentially increase Hoosiers' local income taxes by $1.1 billion annually while cutting police, fire, EMS and public school services by $1.4 billion over three years. While the bill was pushed through with very little time to review the possible fiscal impact, it's clear that SB 1 will provide minimal property tax relief to Hoosiers. Republican leadership told Hoosiers it's time to "tighten our belts" while discussing this legislation, despite House Democrats' concerns that SB 1 will choke the life out of vital services provided by local governments.

State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement after voting "no" on SB 1:

"Indiana Republicans just cost Allen County $89,253,000 over the next three years. Hoosiers in House District 82 are being played. This bill masquerades as a tax cut when, in reality, local governments have to raise taxes to continue making sure that critical services like police and fire can continue to operate. SB 1 is a bait-and-switch and I’m not willing to saddle residents of District 82 with higher taxes for some half-baked plan to give minimal property tax relief."

The bill now heads back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. During House session on Wednesday, April 9, Gov. Mike Braun signaled that this was the Indiana GOP's final property tax plan, despite House Democrats still working to make the bill better on the House floor via amendments which were all voted down by the majority.