VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper called on his fellow Democrats Tuesday to oppose efforts by party members in the Statehouse to derail a plan to amend the state constitution to lock in a 1 percent property tax cap for homeowners.

The Democratic-controlled House is attempting to accomplish this by not allowing a second vote on the measure, which in turn would prevent it from going before voters next year to make the final decision on the proposed amendment, he said.

"I am disturbed that Democrats across the state are being painted as though against property tax relief," Harper said.

The call to action comes in the wake of both the Democratic-controlled county commissioners and council adopting resolutions supporting the proposed amendment.

While Democratic lawmakers downstate argue the tax cap is secure without having to be placed in the constitution, Harper disagreed, pointing out how the same group recently voted to do away with public referendums on public building projects. That move shows how quickly any property tax relief can be done away with if not locked into the constitution, he said.

The need for the caps is particularly urgent, Harper said, because state property tax relief, which is now lowering tax bills, will be shrinking.

"Really, the picture is pretty grim for property taxpayers in Indiana to hope for any relief as things go in the Legislature right now," Harper said.

The proposal calls for phasing in a 1.5 percent property tax cap this year on the assessed values of homes, in addition to a 2.5 percent cap for rental properties and a 3. 5 percent cap for businesses. The caps would then drop to 1, 2 and 3 percent respectively in 2010.

The caps are expected to cost local government and schools in Porter County $1.4 million next year and $8.1 million in 2010, according to legislative analysts.