VALPARAISO | Fearing that opponents may derail an effort to amend the state constitution to lock in a 1 percent property tax cap for homeowners, Porter County commissioners encouraged lawmakers Tuesday to see the process through.

The three commissioners unanimously approved a resolution endorsing Senate Joint Resolution 1 and called on lawmakers to approve the measure again this year so it can stay on track to go before voters in 2010 in the form of a referendum.

The move puts the Democratic-controlled board at odds with other local governments around the state and some of their fellow Democrats, who are seeking to delay next year's vote on the tax caps.

Lone Republican Commissioner John Evans jokingly asked Commissioner Bob Harper if he was turning Republican by proposing the resolution.

Evans, a business owner, said his only concern has been that property taxes for businesses will only be capped at 3 percent. But understanding the proposal must pass a second time unchanged, he supported the resolution.

Harper called on taxpayers to contact their state lawmakers to voice support for writing the tax caps into the Indiana Constitution.

The proposal calls for phasing in a 1.5 percent property tax cap next 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 bills are expected to be a little more in tax-heavy Lake County.

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. The effect will be much greater for taxing units in Lake County, which will be forced to slash an estimated $96.5 million next year and $149.5 million in 2010.