TAX INFORMATION MEETING

SET FOR AUG. 28 IN INDIANAPOLIS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana's tax system is headed for reform, but public dialogue about changes will be limited if too few Hoosiers understand how the tax system works.

To meet this need, a massive tax education project -- Operation Tax Education Now (TEN) -- is being mounted by a broad coalition of educators, including those based at Indiana, Purdue, Ball State and Indiana State universities.

A public meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 28, to explain the need for Operation TEN, the various components of the project, and avenues of support. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at the Library auditorium on the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus, 755 W. Michigan St.

Panelists will include Morton Marcus, director of the Indiana Business Research Center of the IU School of Business and director of Operation TEN; Joseph Gomeztagle, Operation TEN project manager; and Harlan Day, director of the Indiana Council for Economic Education at Purdue University.

In May 1996, the Indiana State Tax Court ruled that the property tax system was unconstitutional. Later in the year, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered the Tax Court to review its decision. That revised opinion is expected later this year.

Property taxes will probably be a major issue in the 1998 elections and 1999 legislature. A blue-ribbon commission appointed by Gov. Frank O'Bannon has been holding meetings around the state to gather input from citizens.

According to Brian Vargus, director of the Public Opinion Laboratory at IUPUI, four of five people questioned about the property tax system had little understanding of its complex mechanics.

Operation TEN was formed to improve the public's understanding of taxes in Indiana. It is an intensive, non-partisan, statewide educational effort that will produce, distribute and present materials designed for a variety of Hoosier audiences. Key elements include educational programs; local community forums; a statewide television special and shorter, focused video programs; print materials; audiotapes and a Web site.

Operation TEN is the joint effort of an unprecedented coalition of economic educators. The project's steering committee is soliciting foundation and corporate funding to augment the resources and contributions from participating universities.

Several organizations have already contributed to Operation TEN. The Aug. 28 meeting is open to the public and will include representatives of the Indiana Farm Bureau, Citizens for Reforming Indiana Property Taxes, and the Indiana Manufacturers Association.

"The outcome of all of these materials and teaching opportunities will be a more responsible civic community, a higher quality of life and a better understanding of how to ensure economic growth," said Marcus.

Joe Gomeztagle, a principal player in Indiana's tax reform movement since 1991, added, "If Indiana wishes to enter the next millennium with an economic edge, tax education is needed now."

For more information, contact George Vlahakis, 812-855-0846 or 812-855-3911, gvlahaki@indiana.edu