For those of you who have attended the property tax protests here in Indy since July, have noticed one person there who is running for office who is there on a regular basis. That would the Republican candidate for Mayor of Indy, Greg Ballard. He has made his approval of full elimination for property taxes well known to the irate voters of Marion County.

As Greg has been pressed about this issue in the debates, he has recalled his support for repeal, but since the Mayor can only do so much to affect property taxes by controlling spending and can only act as an advocate on behalf of a plan to the legislature, he has promised to back a plan that would work best for the citizens of Indy if elected. Here’s what he had to say about Governor Daniel’s plan that was announced last night:

(Hat tip – Digital Farmers Blog)

Governor Daniels continues to show leadership when it comes to local property tax problems that have hit Marion County homeowners especially hard. But let’s be clear, high property taxes are the result of too much local spending. Indianapolis needs a mayor who is committed to aggressive cost cutting. Bart Peterson is not that mayor.

My plan, with or without action by the state legislature, is to cut spending. I plan to cut ten percent in the non-public safety budget. Bart Peterson’s plan is to wait for the state to bail him out. How many times have we heard Mayor Peterson blame state government for his fiscal problems?

The vast majority of all property taxes are used to fund local government entities. The Governor is right to advocate for bold changes. But taxpayers also need mayors and local officials who are committed to cutting the costs if we are to deliver on our promise to provide real relief for homeowners. Mayor Peterson has been more concerned about the public spenders, not the taxpayers.

Bart Peterson’s had eight years to solve our city’s fiscal problems. For too long, Mayor Peterson, President Monroe Gray and the majority Democrats on the Council have failed to address our city’s growing fiscal problems. Peterson and Gray’s 65% income tax increase was the ultimate slap in the face to taxpayers who are suffering from skyrocketing property taxes.