A local state legislator is speaking out against a property tax loophole that allows big box stores to be assessed at the same rate as abandoned or blighted properties.
State Senator Janis Ringhand of Evansville says when the stores win those lawsuits it pushes a larger portion of the tax burden onto local homeowners.
The Democrat participated in a five-hour long public hearing on dark store legislation Wednesday at the Capitol.
Senate Bill 291 would allow assessors to consider any applicable lease provisions and the actual rent pertaining to a property in determining the assessed value of that property.
Senate Bill 292 simply states that vacant or “dark property” cannot be used as a comparison when determining the value of a fully operational and occupied property.
