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BOONVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — Property taxes are a top issue from some constituents at an Indiana legislative update in Warrick County.
The Indiana Farm Bureau hosted the panel in Boonville on Saturday where several voters asked their legislators for property tax reform. One voter suggested eliminating property taxes all together, especially on farmland.
State Representative Tim O’Brien says he’s not sure whether ridding property taxes is realistic, but says getting Hoosiers some relief is a goal this session.
“I want to be able to come back home and be able to provide some type of relief for the Hoosiers that are struggling to pay their bills,” State Rep. O’Brien says. “Reach out to your representative, reach out to your local senator and tell them how important it is to support property tax reform and relief for everybody.”
The Farm Bureau is hosting another forum on Saturday, March 15 in Princeton. It will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 313 W. Broadway Street between 8 and 10 a.m.
Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — The Indiana Township Association is against efforts to dissolve all Indiana townships.
Debbie Driskell, the executive director of the Indiana Township Association, said efforts to take away township governments will harm Hoosiers by taking away services.
“You’re removing those that were elected further from the people,” Driskell said. “So, that’s actually diminishing democracy.”
Driskell said townships have been around for centuries to protect the poor and public safety.
“Originally, township trustees were called overseers of the poor in Indiana, and we did just that,” Driskell said. “Took care of the poor, and then over time, we evolved, and now, we offer life-saving services in fire protection and EMS services.”
Townships can offer rental and mortgage assistance to residents and provide services for the homeless.
“It’s the trustee that gets our homeless folks off the street and sheltered,” Driskell said. “But, at any rate, a family can come in and make an application to have help with their rent.”
Driskell said this bill does not say which agency, if any, would be responsible for those services. The county emergency management director would manage fire and EMS services.
“That’s a big job to lay on top of a department that is already charged with some pretty important duties,” Driskell said.
Driskell said fire and EMS consolidation can be more expensive in the long run despite the effort to make government more efficient.
The bill was referred to the Committee of Local Government. It has not been heard yet.
All eyes in the NBA has been on the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, sending Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Now, fans have one question: who will be Doncic’s first opponent as a Lakers? Well, it looks like the answer is the Indiana Pacers.
According to a recent report, there is “optimism” that Doncic will debut in the purple and gold this Saturday against the Pacers. This will be the first time the Lakers and Pacers face off this season.
Additionally, an Eastern Conference rival has pulled off a massive move ahead of the trade deadline, sending away a former NBA Champion, multi-time All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist.
Here are some stories about the Indiana Pacers that will help you get all caught up. Click the title to see the entire story:
‘Optimism’ Luka Doncic Could Play First Lakers Game vs Pacers
Pacers Rival Pulls Off Huge Trade Ahead of Deadline
Pacers Star Named East Defensive Player of the Month
Pacers May Be Forced to Do Something For First Time In Over 20 Years
Pacers Being Linked to $94M Forward Again Before Trade Deadline
Pacers Forward Could Be Odd Man Out Heading Into Trade Deadline
Trump thanks Sage Steele while banning trans women from team sports
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. The measure, called the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order,” is the fourth executive order targeting transgender people the president has signed since taking office Jan. 20.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday that seeks to keep transgender women and girls from competing in school and college-level sports around the country.
Among those who joined Trump in the East Room of the White House for the signing was Indiana state Rep. Michelle Davis, a Whiteland Republican who authored a state bill banning transgender girls from youth sports.
In addition, the president thanked Sage Steele, an Indiana University graduate and former ESPN sportscaster for her support on the issue.
Under Trump’s order, federal officials could withhold funding from schools that allow transgender athletes in women’s sports and block transgender athletes from entering the United States for the 2028 Olympics.
“It’s an honor to join President Trump in protecting the integrity of women’s sports,” Davis said in a statement. “As a former athlete and mother, I know firsthand the dedication and sacrifices female athletes make to compete at the highest levels. I have fought for these protections in Indiana and am grateful for the leadership of President Trump at the federal level to ensure a level playing field for women and girls competing in sports across the country.”
Female athletes also attended the ceremony.
Davis was invited because of her past legislative actions, according to a news release. Her 2022 bill saw protests, legal challenges and a veto from then-Gov. Eric Holcomb that was later overturned by the Indiana General Assembly.
This year, Davis filed new legislation, House Bill 1041, that seeks to expand Indiana’s ban to college sports.
She was first elected to the Indiana House in 2020 and represents portions of Johnson County.
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USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany.
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