President Pro Tem David Long and amending the Indiana constitution on property taxes

Senate President Pro Tem David Long wants all property tax legislation to clear committees and pass the Senate by January 17th.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana legislature convenes tomorrow, and property taxes are likely to be the main focus during the 2008 session.

The governor and leaders of the House and Senate are optimistic a significant plan to reduce reliance on property taxes can be worked out before the end of the session in March.

But all of them say it will be difficult because of the complexity of the issue and because of objections by special interest groups. Governor Mitch Daniels sent all of the lawmakers a letter last week urging them to put the interest of taxpayers first.

The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Daniels' plan in December. They also plan to have hearings in Fort Wayne on Wednesday and in South Bend on Thursday.

The Senate broke Daniels' plan into several bills and modified parts of the proposal, and Senate President Pro Tem David Long wants all property tax legislation to clear committees and pass the Senate by January 17th