INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana lawmakers are giving a cool reception to Republican Gov. Mike Pence's proposal to eliminate property taxes on business equipment that collects about $1 billion a year for local schools and governments.
 
GOP House Speaker Brian Bosma offered Wednesday a scaled-back version that would give counties the option of eliminating those taxes on new investments by existing companies or those moving in from out of state.
 
Bosma says that will allow counties to compete for additional business investment while protecting local government revenues and gradually phasing out the tax.

Pence says the tax discourages business growth in the state.

House Democratic leader Scott Pelath says the governor's proposal would hurt local government services without the promise of any jobs being created.