Indiana
Indiana lawmakers approve property tax overhaul
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Senate early Tuesday morning agreed with the House to send an overhaul of the state’s property taxes to the governor’s desk.
The vote was 27-22.
Gov. Mike Braun says he will sign the measure when it gets to his desk.
The measure could cost the state $1.5 billion over the next three years, and cost school corporations and cities tens of millions of dollars. A document from the General Assembly lists just how much each government entity would change as a result of the passage of Senate Bill 1.
The bill would let homeowners claim a property tax credit of up to 10% of their total bill, to a maximum of $300. Disabled veterans could claim additional credits of $250, and, for older Hoosiers on fixed incomes, that credit would be $150.
House Republicans say two-thirds of Hoosier homeowners would qualify for the credits.
Farmers are expected to save $116 million in taxes, with an adjustment to the agricultural land assessment formula for two years. The bill was designed to reduce the assessed value of farmland to cut property taxes, Republicans say.
The bill also would address property taxes for businesses. Republicans say, for 2026 property taxes, any business with less than $1 million in personal property would be exempt from the tax. For 2027 and beyond, any business with less than $2 million in personal property would be exempt from the tax. The bill also would removes the existing 30% depreciation floor for personal property placed in service after Jan. 1 this year.
The bill also would decrease the amount of local income taxes that local governments can collect, reducing the cap from 3.75% to 2.9%, a reduction of $1.9 billion across the state in local income taxes revenue capacity.
Republicans also said the bill would prohibit local governments “with high debt from pursuing any new debt-backed projects unless they go through the controlled project procedures that give local taxpayers a say in the matter.”
Also for local governments, the bill would prohibit them from bonding against more than 25% of their local income tax distribution for debt issued after May 10 this year.
The measure would also require local referendums on property taxes to be only during November general elections, thereby garnering higher voter turnouts.
Braun faces pressure from Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith to veto it.
Beckwith on Saturday called on Braun to veto the tax reform bill. He argued in a social media post that no one understands the bill, and the governor should call a special session to demand the legislature pass a measure “that the average Hoosier can understand without hiring army of lawyers and accountants!”
Meanwhile, Democrats as well as some business experts and educators say the measure will force local governments to raise income taxes in two or three years.
Senate Bill 1 drew massive protests at the Statehouse on Monday.
Some school districts, including Indianapolis Public Schools, switched to e-learning days due to the high number of teachers taking the day off to go to an Indiana State Teachers Association rally at the Statehouse.
Statement
“This is historic property tax relief. Senate Bill 1 cuts property taxes for most Hoosier homeowners, farmers, and businesses, limits future tax hikes, and makes the tax system fairer, more transparent, and easier to understand.
“Real property tax relief was a core promise of my Freedom and Opportunity Agenda and with the collaborative leadership of our legislators, we are delivering real savings and protections for taxpayers. I look forward to signing the bill as soon as I receive it.”Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Republican
Indiana man surprised with free dental work in Pontiac
Jeremiah Johnson has experienced a tumultuous life that has taken him through tragedy, rehab, and prison before getting back on his feet. An avid fisherman, he thought he was visiting Michigan to just go angling. Instead, he was surprised with $10,000 in free dental work.
(FOX 2) – Jeremiah Johnson thought he was coming to Michigan to fish.
After all, the Indiana native is quite the angler. And fortunately for him, he did net a new catch in Crescent Lake. However, his visit to Southeast Michigan was about much more than casting a line.
Afterward, a heartwarming surprise awaited him in the form of $10,000 in free dental work.
Big picture view:
Johnson wore a blindfold as he was walked up to Royal Chiropractic and Dental Center in Pontiac on June 11. Organized by Bassquatch Hunter host Mike McKinstry, he guided Johnson to the surprise — as well as the latest stage of redemption.
Johnson lost his brother at a young age, catalyzing a fall into addiction and eventually incarceration.
“I lost my twin brother when I was really young, went down some dark roads, became an addict then ended up in and out of jail, in and out of rehabs,” he said. “Finally, ended up going to prison, did a few years in prison and came home and met a woman, changed everything, made a family.”
But even as he worked to recover and build a new life, he did so with significant dental issues and missing teeth.
Over the next two weeks, he’ll receive a full slate of dentistry.
“This was supposed to be a fishing trip, which we did get to fish, but then a huge surprise at the end,” he said. “To be able to smile and talk to people without having to worry about how they perceive me.”
Mike McKinstry and Jeremiah Johnson outside Royal Chiropractic and Dental Center in Pontiac.
The Source: Interviews done at Royal Chiropractic and Clinic in Pontiac were cited for this story.
(WXIN/WTTV) — A man who is reportedly a local hospital chaplain and contract worker for the Department of Child Services is now facing felony child sex crime charges in both Indiana and Illinois.
Jose Briseno, 60, is currently being held in Marion County Jail on charges of child exploitation and possession of child sex abuse material. He also faces one count of internet child solicitation as a Level 5 Felony in Tazewell County, Illinois.
While court documents state that Briseno lives in a home on the north side of Indianapolis, his jail booking information states that he is a Mexican citizen. Court documents filed last week in Marion Superior Court 35 detail how he has previously worked for several child services groups.
Indianapolis police began investigating Briseno on June 3 when authorities in Illinois sent a tip that a man living in Indy may be involved in child sex crimes. The tip stated that the suspect was previously contracted to work with Illinois DCFS and had since moved to Indianapolis.
The suspect was later identified as Briseno, who had reportedly helped transport children to parental visitations while working for DCFS. It is during this time that Briseno allegedly met the 15-year-old girl he is now accused of soliciting nude photographs from.
Briseno is said to have contacted the teen girl over social media apps with the username “tanman1966,” the suspect’s birth year. While pretending to be a younger man named Pablo, the 60-year-old allegedly convinced the victim to send explicit images over text.
When the girl realized she had actually been communicating with Briseno, she said she tried to block him. However, Briseno allegedly threatened to disseminate her nude photographs and forced her to produce more child sex abuse material, all while sending explicit material of his own.
This alleged solicitation all occurred after Briseno had moved to an Indianapolis home near 86th Street and Ditch Road, according to court documents. Investigators later matched the IP address to his residence on Kings Cove Court and brought Briseno in for questioning.
The suspect reportedly told police that he was employed as a hospital chaplain with Gentiva as well as a case manager with the Indiana Department of Child Services. DCS officials confirmed to FOX59/CBS4’s Angela Ganote that Briseno was contracted but never employed by DCS.
Court records state that, over the past few years, Briseno has worked as a pastor for First Christian Church, First Christian Church of Mason City Inc, and West Union Christian Church in Illinois. He has also worked for DCS contractors in Indiana and Illinois.
While attempting to track down Briseno, investigators reportedly found that he was working for a hospice care center in Terre Haute. A Facebook post reviewed by FOX59/CBS4 shows that a man named “Chaplain Joe,” or “Mr. Mariachi,” was employed at Southerncare, Inc. Research as recently as May 22.
Online jail records show that Briseno was booked last Tuesday, June 9, into the Marion County Adult Detention Center. The court has since set a $5,000 cash bond.
Online court records show Briseno was charged last Friday, June 12, with Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material as a Level 6 Felony. An initial hearing was reportedly held on Monday afternoon in front of Judge Charnette Garner. A pre-trial hearing is now scheduled for July 27.
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) Two people died in a crash Sunday morning in southern Indiana. Police believe weather and alcohol may have been factors.
The crash took place at around 3:30 a.m. on U.S. 52 in Dearborn County according to a press release from Indiana State Police.
The initial investigation determined that a 2020 Honda Civic, being driven by Kelis Manuel, 22, of Fairfield, Ohio, was traveling westbound on U.S. 52, just west of State Road 46. In a no passing zone, Manuel attempted to pass a pickup truck hauling a trailer. Manuel’s vehicle collided head-on with a semi that was traveling eastbon US 52.
The semi driver was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Manuel and an unidentified rear passenger in her vehicle were transported to Cincinnati area hospitals for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
A front seat passenger in Manuel’s vehicle, identified as Kimora Manuel, age 21, Cincinnati, Ohio and a rear seat passenger, Le’Marea Holmes, 22, also from Cincinnati, both lost their lives in the crash. They were both pronounced deceased on the scene by the Dearborn County Coroner’s Office.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash. Toxicology tests are pending. Heavy rain in the area at the time may also have been a contributing factor.
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