Moed: ‘Hoosiers need utility relief now’

This session, State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) authored House Bill 1213 to eliminate the 7% sales tax on household utility bills.

“People can’t afford their utility bills, yet the rates keep going up,” Moed said. “You can’t opt out of electricity or water. You need them. But people have been hit with increase after increase; meanwhile, the government is profiting off these increases through the sales tax.”

Hoosiers’ annual spending on utilities increased by 16%, the highest out of all 50 states. The average Indiana household pays $406 per month for utilities, providing nearly $350 in savings each year by cutting the sales tax. 

“The state decides whether utility companies can raise their rates,” Moed said. “They shouldn’t get windfall profits in the state sales tax revenue when these increases take place. We don’t tax food and medicine because they’re essential, just like keeping your water running and lights on. 

“We should be more concerned that people cannot afford their utility bill than whether the government can afford to give up this double taxation.”