Lake Co. mulls income tax as fiscal woes grow

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — The lone Indiana county without a local income tax is reconsidering its stance as its fiscal problems grow.

Lake County officials have long refused to implement the tax and say it's unfair to working people because business income is exempt.

State officials have penalized the county for its refusal to adopt the tax by freezing the total amount of property taxes it can collect since 2007.

The Times in Munster reports (http://bit.ly/X4Hva7 ) Democratic Councilman David Hamm of Hammond is urging council members to consider passing the tax to shore up the county's finances.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would lift the tax freeze if Lake County approves a local income tax. Hamm says he is wary of the bill and fears it could hurt future budgets.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com