State’s chief legal officer opines on high property taxes

Attorney General Todd Rokita calls for property tax relief. (Screenshot from video)

Even Attorney General Todd Rokita wants state lawmakers to tackle rising property taxes.

The state’s chief legal officer released a video Monday on the matter, which has become a key issue in the governor’s race and will be debated in the 2025 legislative session.

“You’ve given me the privilege to travel to every corner of the state, and our neighbors, family members and friends are all calling for property tax relief. Me too,” he said.

“They cannot be ignored, especially not by those elected to serve them right here in the Statehouse.”

Property taxes have increased statewide the last several years, partly due to growing assessed values on homes.

According to an analysis by the Association of Indiana Counties and Policy Analytics, the gross assessed value of homes jumped 16.5% on average between 2022 and 2023 and property tax bills increased by 18.2% on average.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun and Democrat nominee Jennifer McCormick have released tax plans to try to lower the burden, and so has Libertarian Donald Rainwater . A legislative panel has been studying tax reform the last two years and several property tax bills are expected to be filed.

Rokita said part of his job is to work with lawmakers to ensure any language is constitutional.

“My office is looking forward to working with any lawmaker of any party who is attempting to craft legislation to lower property taxes and the overall tax burden on Hoosiers,” he said in the video. “It’s critical to get this right, and we are ready to work with legislators to get it right now.”

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