WIBC Property Tax Rally: A Con That Cost Hoosiers More

WIBC Radio Host costed Hoosiers a 4.1 increase in income taxes. Hoosiers should be proud of taking economic policies from broke Radio Hosts.

On March 17, 2025, WIBC radio personalities Rob Kendall, Casey Daniels, and Jason Hammer took their campaign for property tax relief from the airwaves to the steps of the Indiana Statehouse. The rally, attended by hundreds of frustrated Hoosiers, was billed as a grassroots push to pressure lawmakers into adopting Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), a proposal championed by Gov. Mike Braun to slash property taxes. WIBC hosts urged the crowd to support the bill, framing it as a lifeline for homeowners burdened by rising tax bills. But as the dust settles on the legislative session, it’s clear that the rally—and the promises tied to SB 1—were a con that has left Hoosiers facing a bitter reality: instead of relief, they’re now staring down a potential 4.1% increase in local income taxes.

The narrative peddled by WIBC was simple: SB 1 would deliver meaningful property tax cuts, easing the financial strain on Indiana families. The rally amplified this message, with emotional pleas and calls for lawmakers to act decisively. Gov. Braun himself joined the chorus, emphasizing his commitment to broad tax relief. But what emerged from the Statehouse after House Republicans amended SB 1 tells a different story—one of broken promises and a sleight of hand that shifts the burden back onto working Hoosiers.

The Amended SB 1: A Tax Hike in Disguise

House Republicans unveiled their revised version of SB 1 in early April, touting it as a compromise that would save homeowners $1.1 billion over three years through a mix of credits and reforms. Gov. Braun signaled his approval, celebrating the deal as “historic property tax relief” in a statement on April 9. The amended bill offers a 7.5% property tax credit on homesteads, capped at $200 starting in 2026, with additional credits of $150 for fixed-income seniors and up to $250 for disabled veterans. On the surface, it sounds like a win for taxpayers. But dig deeper, and the cracks in this plan reveal a harsh truth.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) didn’t mince words when he called out the amendment for what it is: “Let’s be real: Senate Bill 1 is a tax hike in disguise. Paying up to 4.1% in income taxes to your city and county on top of state and federal taxes is much more than the $300 max in ‘credit’ you could receive off your property tax bill in 2026. Businesses still get a break, but working Hoosiers get crumbs. This is a bad deal for working Hoosier families, which is why House Democrats voted no on this plan.”

GiaQuinta’s assessment isn’t just political rhetoric—it’s a cold, hard fact backed by analysis. The Hoosier Enquirer enlisted lawyers and certified economists to scrutinize the amended SB 1, and their findings confirm the Democrat’s warning. While homeowners might see a modest reduction in their property tax bills (a maximum of $300 in combined credits for eligible households), the legislation allows local governments to raise income taxes by up to 4.1% to offset revenue losses. For the average Hoosier, this trade-off isn’t relief—it’s a net loss, as the income tax hike far outweighs the meager property tax credits.

Businesses Win, Hoosiers Lose

Adding insult to injury, the amended SB 1 includes a gradual phase-out of the business personal property tax—a boon for corporations that generates no equivalent relief for individual taxpayers. While House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) claims the plan benefits “9 in 10 Hoosiers,” the reality is that the biggest winners are businesses, which stand to save billions over time. Meanwhile, working families are left with a pittance—credits that barely dent their overall tax burden—while facing the prospect of higher income taxes to keep local services afloat.

The inclusion of Senate Bill 518’s provisions, which force public schools to share property tax revenue with charter schools starting in 2028, further erodes the deal’s value for everyday Hoosiers. Critics argue this move prioritizes ideological goals over the needs of public education, potentially forcing school districts to lean even harder on local income tax increases. It’s a double whammy: taxpayers pay more, and schools get less.

WIBC’s Role: Hype Over Honesty

WIBC’s rally wasn’t just a misstep—it was a betrayal of trust. The station’s hosts positioned themselves as champions of the little guy, rallying Hoosiers to demand action on SB 1. Yet they either failed to understand the legislative process or willfully ignored the likelihood that the bill would morph into something far less favorable. Their relentless push for Braun’s original vision—a plan that promised immediate, broad cuts but was gutted by lawmakers wary of its $1 billion-plus hit to local governments—set up false expectations. When the amended version passed the House on April 9 with Braun’s blessing, the disconnect between WIBC’s hype and the outcome was stark.

This isn’t the first time WIBC personalities have overpromised and underdelivered. Their track record of bold claims and selective outrage has long fueled skepticism among listeners who see through the bombast. But the property tax rally marks a new low—actively misleading Hoosiers into supporting a policy that, in its final form, costs them more than it saves. Maybe it’s time for taxpayers to tune out these broke radio hosts when it comes to economic advice and start demanding real accountability from those shaping Indiana’s fiscal future.

The Bottom Line

The WIBC property tax rally was sold as a fight for Hoosier families, but it ended up as a con that paved the way for a tax shift masquerading as relief. Senate Bill 1, as amended, trades a small property tax credit for a hefty income tax increase, leaving working Hoosiers with less in their pockets and more frustration in their hearts. Gov. Braun may call it a victory, and House Republicans may pat themselves on the back, but for the taxpayers who rallied at the Statehouse, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. Next time WIBC fires up the megaphone, Hoosiers might be wise to listen with a skeptical ear—and a calculator in hand.