4/18/2007
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Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
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Peterson, Indiana Mayors: Time is now to give cities fiscal flexibility, property tax relief
Critical Services Need Funding for Cities and Towns to Prosper
INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson (D), Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold (R), Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard (D), West Lafayette Mayor Jan Mills (D) and LaPorte Mayor Leigh Morris (R) held a news conference Wednesday at the Statehouse requesting state lawmakers to give Indiana cities and towns more fiscal flexibility in paying for critical municipal services. The Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana and the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police joined the bipartisan group of mayors, along with the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.
“I am confident in the remaining weeks of this legislative session that lawmakers will provide municipal leaders with the resources to provide property tax relief and additional funding options for cities and towns,” said Matthew C. Greller, Executive Director of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. “We greatly appreciate the support of the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana and the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police in calling on state lawmakers to give local governments the tools to pay for public safety.”
Property tax reform and providing local governments with additional revenue options are major planks of Mayor Peterson’s crime package, which aims to bolster public safety and aggressively fight crime in Indianapolis for the long term.
Mayors and municipal leaders from across Indiana attended the news conference, including the following officers of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns: Huntingburg Mayor Gail Kemp (R) – President, Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman (D) – First Vice President, Madison Mayor Al Huntington (D) – Second Vice President.
The Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) is aggressively working to reduce reliance on property taxes and find alternatives for financing critical services citizens need and deserve. IACT is a coalition of municipal officials who seek to improve the quality of life in Indiana and has 475 city and town members.
IACT advocates for municipalities as the official voice of municipal government in Indiana. IACT also promotes good government through education, training and leadership. For more information visit: www.citiesandtowns.org.
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