The Indiana House has passed an amnesty bill that would give delinquent homeowners a period of time to pay back property taxes without interest or penalties.
Lake County Treasurer John Petalas said he is lobbying the Indiana Senate to give its approval to the amnesty, too, saying it gives Lake County a chance to collect taxes from more than 31,000 property owners owing $129 million in back taxes and penalties.
He hopes the amnesty would begin soon so it could be timed to take place before a tax sale he hopes to hold later this year.
State Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, said he will look at the concept but questions how effective an amnesty bill would be.
