Property Tax Cap Policy in Indiana and Implications for Public School Funding Equity

The purpose of this research was to examine funding losses experienced by preschool to grade 12 (P–12) public school districts in Indiana, U.S., from an equity standpoint after the implementation of statewide property tax caps. All Indiana public school districts (N = 292) rely on property taxes as a major source of revenue, but districts experienced widely varying losses after the tax reform. Analyses across an array of district characteristics revealed significant relationships between differential funding losses and demographic indicators, including total student enrollment and the percentages of certain minoritized students. Implications for policy and practice include the integration of findings with essential research on funding equity in public education and attention on leadership toward reducing funding disparities.

The Equity Effects of Property Tax Caps: Evidence from Florida

Over the last decade Florida property owners have saved billions of dollars in taxes due to a 1995 assessment cap initiative which reduced homeowner’s tax burdens. Florida is not alone in passing assessment caps, 20 other states have passed similar property tax reductions. Proponents of Florida’s initiative said the measure would protect the elderly, many of whom live on fixed incomes in retirement, from property tax inflation. This research examines the vertical and horizontal equity effects of assessment caps. Using data from a large MSA in Florida, the results provide new evidence on which groups of homeowners are more likely to benefit from these types of initiatives.