Voters Weigh Property-Tax Caps

Indiana voters moncler jacke are likely Tuesday to enshrine new property-tax caps in the state constitution with an amendment that would make them permanent, adding to pressures on municipal budgets already hit by declines in incomes and housing prices.

Gov. Mitch moncler jacken Daniels, a Republican considered a potential presidential candidate in 2012, has been campaigning in favor of the amendment. Otherwise, he said in an interview, it will be too tempting for lawmakers to raise tax rates.

"Human nature and the bureaucratic instinct for self-preservation very rarely reform, absent some pressure to do so," Mr. Daniels said.

A majority moncler jackets of voters seem to agree. A survey released Friday by the nonpartisan Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics found that 52% of likely or actual voters favored adding the tax caps to the Indiana constitution. Other polls have shown larger majorities supporting the amendment.

The Indiana moncler coats debate reflects concerns about property taxes among homeowners nationwide. As the recession has slashed income and sales-tax revenues, states have cut funds for local governments.In response, some cities, towns and school districts have raised property taxes—their main source of revenue—to partially fill gaps, even as property values have fallen.

On Tuesday, Colorado voters will consider an initiative that would sharply cut local property taxes.11.03