OP-ED: Setting priorities straight for Hoosiers

I’ve spent most of my career at the local level working alongside first responders, small-town mayors, school officials and families who just want their roads paved and their neighborhoods safe. In local government, we don’t have the luxury of playing politics. We fix what’s broken, answer the phone when people call and make sure the lights stay on at the fire station.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1), passed by the General Assembly earlier this year and now being implemented by local governments. It’s being sold as major property tax relief for homeowners, but when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. SEA 1 promises property tax “relief,” but the fine print tells a different story - one that puts public safety and local services at risk.

While homeowners may eventually see a one-time property tax credit of up to $300, renters won’t see a dime while potentially having their income tax rate hiked. And because this law was rushed through the legislative process, the full extent of the financial impact remains unknown - and local governments need those numbers to plan for essential services and predictable funding.

As a past president of the LaPorte County Council and, as of October, your state representative for House District 9, I bring a perspective few lawmakers in Indianapolis share. This fall, the LaPorte County Council was asked to considered raising our local income tax to offset the funding cliff SEA 1 introduced. My conversations with state officials leading up to that decision did not inspire confidence that the law was well thought out. In public, they patted themselves on the back for providing “relief” to homeowners. In private, they told local officials we had the tools to offset shortfalls - by raising taxes elsewhere.

Let’s be clear: leadership is not passing the taxation buck to local officials so you can run victory laps on “cutting taxes.” It’s smoke and mirrors - making state lawmakers look good while forcing local governments to make unpopular decisions. Because at the end of the day, most Hoosiers agree that public safety, education and local government need to be funded.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Schools and libraries are warning of significant shortfalls. Some will delay maintenance, freeze hiring or cut programs altogether. Public safety departments across Indiana are already stretched thin. Recruitment is difficult, fuel and equipment costs are up and small towns are being asked to meet big-city challenges with less resources. SEA 1 will affect emergency response times, training and the ability to protect Hoosiers when it matters most.

Tax reform can be a good thing - but it must be done with care and transparency. Hoosiers deserve to know where their money is going, and local officials deserve stability so they can plan ahead. Too often, legislation like this is rushed through with talking points that sound nice but don’t match the reality on the ground. That’s not how we should be governing.

A few weeks ago, Gov. Braun called for a special session focused on redistricting, under the guise of tax issues. I’ll be honest. I don’t think that’s where Hoosiers’ heads are right now. Folks in our communities aren’t asking about district lines or Washington’s tax code. They’re asking if their kids are safe at school, if their police department has enough officers and if their township fire trucks will make it another year without breaking down.

I’m new to the legislature, but not new to serving Hoosiers. I’ve seen what happens when state decisions don’t line up with local needs. My promise is this: I’ll fight for common-sense priorities - for the firefighters, teachers, police officers, small-town leaders, farmers, unions and families who keep our communities strong.

It’s time Indiana stops chasing headlines and starts governing with purpose. Let’s make sure every dollar, every vote and every policy serves the people who call Indiana home. That’s what Hoosiers expect, and that’s what I came to the Statehouse to do.