Latest trial balloon from Pillen on property taxes calls for state takeover of funding

Back in the day, a small, "trial balloon" would be sent aloft to discern wind speed and direction before a balloon carrying people was launched.

Folks were rightly concerned about rising into the heavens blindly, without knowing if a catastrophic whirlwind was aloft.

Right now, we're seeing plenty of trial balloons sent aloft by Gov. Jim Pillen to determine if a plan to dramatically reduce local property taxes might have a shot at success during his special session, scheduled to start July 25.

As we recall, one of his first trial balloons on this oft-debated issue was pretty quickly shot down...