Eric Koch talks taxes in Bedford

Representative Eric Koch recently met with voters in Bedford to talk taxes.  The Bedford Times-Mail covered it.

Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, passed out paperwork showing that most property tax levies, on average, have been rising faster than Hoosiers’ income. You don’t have to be an economist to know that’s a formula for disaster.

From 2000 to 2006, according to Koch’s numbers, Hoosiers’ personal income has grown at an average rate of less than 4 percent a year.

School debt levies have grown at more than 10 percent per year. School transportation and county welfare have grown at more than 6 percent per year. County general funds, city and town general funds, library general funds and school capital projects also have grown faster than Hoosiers’ income.

School general funds are lowest, at about 3 percent.

“To be successful,” Koch wrote of property tax reform, “we must avoid the partisanship and burden-shifting that has characterized previous efforts. All levels and units of government must work together and assume responsibility for the solution by controlling spending.”

There’s one more step to add. Perhaps Hoosiers need to redefine what we think are “essential” services from our governments.