By Matthew Tully in the Indianapolis Star:
...
Ballard has proposed ideas that in some cases seem right out of the Democratic playbook. The Democratic opposition, as such, has been exposed as doing little more than playing partisan politics. Partisan politics that can harm the city.
Let’s start with Ballard’s proposal to eliminate a tax break known as the homestead property tax credit. The credit simply doesn’t make sense; it’s paid for by shifting money from local income taxes, meaning non-homeowners subsidize homeowners. Because of state rules, it costs the county much more than taxpayers receive back. Other counties eliminated it after state property tax caps erased the need for it. Moreover, many homeowners in Indy don’t even receive the credit, and those who do receive a whopping $24 a year on average.
To be clear, because there has been confusion, this credit is different than the better known and more substantial homestead tax deduction. Although this one is small individually, collectively it costs the county about $12 million a year at a time of massive budget shortfalls. But Democrats have repeatedly rejected the mayor’s plan, looking as if they’re blind to the city’s dire fiscal condition.
In response, Ballard’s administration has tied the elimination of the tax credit to the hiring of 80 much-needed police officers. That’s a smart move, one that leaves Democrats with two options: accept the idea or reject it and pay a price with voters.
Meanwhile, Democrats recently rejected Ballard’s proposal to spend millions of dollars on infrastructure repairs through a sensible borrowing plan. We are talking basic, neighborhood-building street and sidewalk improvements. It’s not very smart to stand in the way of investments in the most basic of city services. Investments, by the way, that would benefit many of the districts Democrats represent.
...
Ballard, it’s worth noting, has emerged as the Republican mayor of a Democratic city who is pushing mass transit, better schools, infrastructure improvements, a safer Downtown and sensible budget policies. He’s building one of the most politically attractive brands out there: that of a progressive, environmentally friendly urban Republican with smart fiscal policies.
He’s not perfect, but the mayor’s policies have made him look good lately. The Democratic opposition has made him look even better.
