Daniels to highlight tax plan in annual address

This year’s State of the State address will differ from the traditional speech delivered by the governor, said one local legislator. \nState Sen. Vi Simpson said Gov. Mitch Daniels is expected to focus almost exclusively on his proposal to solve Indiana’s property tax crisis during today’s address. This topic contrasts the typical outlining of a broad range of initiatives for the year. \nLast October, Daniels initially laid out his plan to increase the state’s sales tax by 1 percent, while slashing property taxes. According to The Associated Press, the plan calls to cap tax bills at 1 percent of a home’s assessed value, with a 2 percent cap on rental property and a 3 percent limit on business property.\nDaniels is expected to sell his plan to the public during today’s speech, which will be aired at 7 p.m on local news networks and online at www.in.gov/gov. Simpson said she expects Daniels to refine his policy after he received feedback from state lawmakers during the past few months. \n“The governor put out his proposal a couple of months ago and it wasn’t received particularly kindly in a lot of quarters,” she said. “He might be softening his position now, and it is important to get that discussion going.”\nSimpson said she hopes the governor saves some time to discuss other issues relevant to the state’s economic condition, not just the property tax plan.\n“The economy in some Indiana communities are in very sorry circumstances, and the development is very unequal,” she said. “I’m hoping that we will hear that he will do something to incentivize the economy to continue to grow.” \nSeveral students interviewed said they will not likely view the address. The students said the sole focus on property taxes and a lack of general interest in the speech will cause them to tune out. \n“I will occasionally watch something like the State of the Union, but it’s not likely I’ll watch (the State of the State address),” said sophomore Steve Salinas. “It’s just something I’m not particularly interested in.”\nSimpson said it is unlikely that funding for IU and the state’s other public universities will be discussed because the budget process has already been detailed. However, she said she hopes the governor will mention the state’s commitment to higher education. \nIn many ways, today’s address also marks an important stage in the reelection campaign for the governor, but Simpson, a Democrat, said this speech should not be used as a political tool. \n“This is not a time for political grandstanding or any of that foolishness,” she said. “This is time for the governor and legislature to roll their sleeves up and get something accomplished.”