Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 13, DeMotte, Jasper County, 25 February 1949 — Reassessment Bill Moves To Third Reading [ARTICLE]

Reassessment Bill Moves To Third Reading

Amendments Limit Value To 1948 Total; 1950 Is Set As Deadline A crippled but still breathing reassessment bill moved to third reading in the House of Representatives yesterday after being battered around for more than an hour. As it now stands the measure provides that: 1. The assessed valuation of any township, exclusive of new improvements or omitted property, shall not exceed the 1948 total after reassessment is completed. 2. Use of the State Tax Board manual, outlining the method basis for reassessment, will not be compulsory. 3. Reassessment shall be completed by mid-1950. 4. Payment of taxes on the newly computed valuation shall begin in 1951. When the bill was introduced, it was intended to amend the 1947 reassessment act so that the project could be carried out with a single set of standards. Proponents of the original bill charge that the amended version will create considerable confusion in reassessing real estate. They say that the control has been taken away from the State Tax Board and placed in the hands of local officials. This, it is argued, will cause discrepancies in valuations in different counties and townships. On the other hand, those who are backing the amended bill contend that reassment, conducted according to its terms, will be more equitable to property owners. During yesterday’s debate, Representative Wayne Combs, Vincennes Democrat, attempted to"* amend the measure by'striking out everything but two minor paragraphs in it. He was backed by Representative William F. Dentlinger, Connersville Democrat, who declared: “Vote for this amendment and we won’t need any more amendments. Those who are sincerely interested in the welfare of the state should realize that there should be no general reassessment. in this inflationary period.”