Alex Dalton

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. declared a hiring freeze for all of his city's departments, boards, commissions and agencies "until further notice," with an executive order signed on Monday.

The order's preamble cites "looming fiscal uncertainty" around the expected impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1, a far-reaching property tax reform law signed by Indiana Governor Mike Braun in April. The law delivers on a central campaign promise that the Hoosier State's Republican governor made during his election bid last year, cutting individual property taxes and significantly reducing the amount of revenue available to municipalities, school districts and other local bodies.

Under the 345-page law's provisions, Indiana homeowners will receive an annual property tax credit worth up to

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