Senate Enrolled Act 1, signed by Governor Braun in April 2025, promises $1.3 billion in homeowner property tax relief over three years. That includes a 10% credit up to $300 per homestead, an additional $150 for seniors, and adjusted agricultural land assessments that save farmers an estimated $116 million.

On the surface, that sounds like good news. Senator Schmitt promoted it as a win for District 48. But here's what the press release doesn't mention: the law also freezes local operating levies in 2026 and caps future growth at 1-2%. For rural communities with small tax bases, that means service cuts.

Worse, the bill authorizes cities over 3,500 to impose new local income taxes up to 1.2%. Rural officials across southern Indiana have warned that this effectively trades property tax relief for income tax increases and reduced local services.

The stakes are especially high in Spencer County, where the Rockport coal plant's $7 million annual tax contribution disappears when the plant closes in 2028. And in Gibson County, where the Toyota TIF district expired in December 2025 after funding $45.7 million in community projects.

I'll be clear about what good tax policy looks like: transparent, fair, and honest about trade-offs. Don't hand voters a $300 check and then gut the services their communities depend on. Do the homework. Ask the people. Fight for their answer.