State Senate Approves Parts of Property Tax Plan

The GOP-controlled state Senate has approved some modified parts of Governor Mitch Daniels' property tax relief and restructuring plan. The Senate voted unanimously to have the state assume the remaining 15 percent of local costs for school operating expenses, and local costs of providing services for abused, neglected or troubled youth. Absorbing the local levies would cost the state about two-point-seven billion dollars. Meanwhile, a Senate committee rejected a resolution for a constitutional amendment to completely repeal property taxes. The committee set up a study committee instead.