Read commission’s full report

Read commission’s press release

(INDIANAPOLIS) — You can’t most effectively accomplish property tax reform without tackling local government restructuring. With today’s comprehensive and strategic recommendations from the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform, the pieces are in place to achieve both.

“This report places the emphasis exactly where it needs to be – on increased local government efficiency and reduced spending,” stated Kevin Brinegar, president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. “Attempting to reduce property tax burdens without the long overdue overhaul in government structure will be a formula destined for failure. The General Assembly and Daniels administration must take advantage of this opportunity to positively reshape our government operations and services for the benefit of all Hoosiers.”

While past efforts in both areas have come up short, the time is right for coordinated, long-term solutions, according to Brinegar.

“Gov. Daniels requested specific initiatives for greater government efficiency and resulting taxpayer savings, and that is exactly what the commission has delivered,” he said. “It is now up to legislators to craft these recommendations, along with property tax reforms that protect all taxpayers, into public policy that continues our state’s revitalization and ensures future growth and prosperity throughout the state. The Indiana Chamber is ready to help make that a reality.”

The Indiana Chamber has been leading the way in local government efficiency and restructuring discussions since the 2004 release of the Indiana Project for Efficient Local Government study (available at www.indianachamber.com/localgov/). Business and community leaders across the state have also been involved in local and regional efforts. The following are available for interviews.

Indiana Chamber, Kevin Brinegar: 317-264-6897

Indiana Chamber, Mark Lawrance: 317-264-6897

Fort Wayne, Marilyn Moran-Townsend: 260-432-7427 (ext. 1)

Evansville, Andy Goebel: 812-491-4079

Steve Schaefer: 812-421-5888

Muncie, Jim Fisher: 765-741-5514

Northwest Indiana, Vince Galbiati: 219-763-6303

Central Indiana, Jean Wojtowicz: 317-843-9704 (ext. 126)

Elkhart, Bill Johnson: 574-537-6220

South Bend, Mark Eagan: 574-234-0051 (ext. 331)

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has been the state’s largest broad-based business advocacy organization for 86 years. The more than 4,800 member companies employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.