Rep. Dan Leonard Passes “Little Red Schoolhouse” Amendment

This is smart public policy and one of the reasons I like Rep. Dan Leonard’s common sense approach to legislative issues:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, Jan. 22, 2008

Rep. Leonard Fights to Protect Property Tax-payers

(STATEHOUSE) Jan. 22, 2008 – Today, the Indiana House of Representatives debated House Bill 1001, a property tax bill. Rep. Dan Leonard (R-Huntington) authored an amendment to the bill that protects Whitley County property tax-payers.

Last year, three new schools were built in the 50th District, and they were all very similar, but all had separate building plans. Rep. Leonard’s amendment, the Little Red Schoolhouse Amendment, would require the state to have school building plans already drawn up for counties to use. This would save Hoosier taxpayers millions of dollars in design fees.

“School construction is a large portion of local government costs,” said Rep. Leonard. “By moving to pre-designed school construction plans, we will reduce cost to counties, cutting property taxes. Many other states, such as Florida, have already successfully instituted statewide school building plans.”

Whitley County is currently building a new school and estimated costs are $62 million. This bill would help contain costs on construction plans, architect fees and engineering cost. School building costs in Indiana now average 149 percent of the national average for cost per square foot. This is an attempt to lower that and keep spending under control.

HB 1001 received a second reading on the House floor tonight, and representatives were given the opportunities to amend the bill. It is now eligible for a third reading, with the full House of Representatives voting on the bill to determine whether it will move to the Senate.

Rep. Leonard encourages constituents to contact him with questions or concerns through e-mail at h50@in.gov, by calling the Statehouse toll-free at 1-800-382-9841, or by writing him at 200 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.