First, let me preface by saying I am not a property owner, and therefore do not pay property taxes.

But the tax relief bill signed into law by Gov. Mitch Daniels has caught my attention.

I understand the increase in sales tax will spread the burden around, and local government will see major budget slashes in order to control the wild hikes in property tax.

What really caught my attention, though, was the inclusion of referendums for projects that will cost more than $12 million dollars, or $10-20 million dollars for school projects.

Personally, I think this is a terrific idea.

Twenty-four states in the nation use referendums as a way for the people to decide government spending.

It's a form of direct democracy, and relies on informed and motivated voters to make big decisions instead of town councils and school boards.

The referendum process can be extremely efficient.

In simple terms, a project is proposed, meetings are held, articles are written and then there is a vote.

If the project is approved, then move ahead full steam.

If the project is rejected, come back and talk to us next year with a better idea.

My high school was in desperate need of an upgrade.

We were using the attached elementary school for some classrooms (even though the elementary school was still in-use). Our gym had a hard-rubber floor, just asking for sprained ankles every basketball season.

There weren't enough lockers for the students and the science labs were falling apart.

It took several years and several votes for the community to agree upon a plan, and when a decent plan was brought to the table it was approved overwhelmingly.

Soon after, construction began, and the project was finished in less than a full school year.

Right now, the Clay Community School Corporation has spent a large amount of time and money on putting the current building project together. It has been years since the idea was first probed.

They altered it to recommendations made by the community, and felt their project was reasonable.

It took a small amount of citizens who were not completely dazzled by the project to delay and increase the cost of the renovations. If it gets approved a second time.

I feel CCS could benefit from a referendum. They would have a clear, immediate answer from the public.

"Yes, update our schools."

Or, "No, this is not a good idea."

We all can't like Mitch's ideas, and some of the tax relief bill is a drastic change from the current procedures. Not to mention it will be enacted April 1, 2008, although we won't find out who the fool is for a few years.

But I will give him credit for embracing the referendum to provide the state taxation WITH representation.