From the Northwest Indiana Times:
"State lawmakers on Friday told LaPorte County to get current on its long-delayed property tax billings or pay the price.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly approved Senate Bill 19, requiring the county pay $1 million a year to local government and schools if back tax bills are still uncollected by Jan. 31, 2013.
LaPorte County cities and schools have paid millions in interest on tax-anticipation loans while waiting for the county to collect and hand over their tax dollars. A contested property reassessment has delayed some billings since 2008.
"This will expedite that process to make sure it happens; we can stop throwing taxpayer dollars out the window paying interest and do what every other county in the state is doing," said state Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte.
The House approved the measure, 90-6. The Senate vote was 36-14.
The legislation still must be signed by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels to become law."
Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/lawmakers-agree-to-penalize-laporte-co-for-late-tax-bills/article_d6772a55-bca5-5eb4-a334-4bb3839fca40.html#ixzz1ogId5LNN
