Victory Bloggers

Help Indiana Republicans Win Back The State Legislature

prospergroup — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:12:00 -0500

A lot of conservatives from across Indiana are interested in not just winning back the US Congressional Seats we lost in 2006, but also our state’s House of Representatives, which we tragically lost as well.

I’ve written before that thanks to the immediate results of Governor Mitch Daniels’ amazing first term, Indiana has faired somewhat better economically, relative to the rest of the country, and the Indiana Republican Party is, at the moment, probably the strongest state Republican Party in any of the 50 states, despite the unusually low popularity of John McCain, our party’s national candidate in our Hoosier state. The unpopularity of Jill Long Thompson doesn’t hurt either.

That means we’re one of the few states where ground can be made up in both the US Congressional races and our local elections, as well. Whether you’re from Indiana and want to help Governor Daniels and his second term agenda, or you’re from out of state and want to invest money in races where Republicans are much more likely to win seats,I highly recommend checking out House Victory ‘08, the website being used by the Indiana House Republican Campaign Committee.

’ve encouraged people to stay away from the National equivalent of this committee (the NRCC) because of the corrupt and inept Washington establishment it benefits the most. Well, let me tell you that the Republican caucus in the Indiana House of Representatives is one of the hardest working, most intelligent, most ethical group of Republicans you’re going to find anywhere in the country.

Not a single dollar given to Indiana’s House Republicans is going to go to waste this year.

That’s why I’m asking you to make an online donation to House Victory ‘08 and show your support for Indiana’s House Republicans. They are among the reasons Governor Daniels’ first term was so successful. We can’t afford let obstructionist Democrats maintain control of the Indiana House.

Pennsylvania Makes a Major Move

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:39:04 -0500

Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) announced the winning bid for the lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike yesterday. A team led by Citi Infrastructure Investors won the competitive bid by offering $12.8 billion for a 75-year lease of the Turnpike. The deal offers many of the same protections as the lease of the Indiana Toll Road in terms of limited toll increases and guaranteed improvements to the road. In terms of the dollars and cents, the deal is very close to what Indiana received.

The Turnpike is 520 miles long, as compared to the 157 mile Toll Road. The Turnpike deal will be paying $2.46 million per mile, as compared to $2.42 million for the Toll Road. The annual toll increase amount is 2.5% for the Turnpike, the allowable increase in Indiana is 2% (which doesn't take effect until 2016 because of the rate freeze that was put in the Major Moves legislation).

The Indiana Toll Road lease appears to be a much better deal in terms of the improvements that are required as a part of the agreement. The Turnpike agreement requires improvements to be made that average $10.5 million per mile, whereas the Toll Road agreement requires improvements that average $28.8 million per mile. Those are improvements that either wouldn't have happened, or would have been charged to the taxpayer.

It's Payback Time

Sat, 17 May 2008 13:21:53 -0500

Governor Mitch Daniels has ordered the remaining money owed to local government be repaid by the end of the month, a full year ahead of schedule. This completes a payback program that Daniels started in 2006 to repay local government and schools money that was withheld starting in 2002 to "balance" the state's budget. This would be a rough equivalent to you withholding payment to the phone company so you can pay your credit card and tell people you don't have any debt. That's the way the State of Indiana used to work, but not anymore.

INDIANAPOLIS (May 16, 2008) – Governor Mitch Daniels today ordered that the remaining $212 million long owed to local governments be repaid by the end of May, a year ahead of schedule.

“As the only state in the Midwest that is in the black fiscally, we’re being extremely careful about every dollar. But the very strong March and April revenues strengthen our confidence that we will register a fourth straight surplus this year, and that we can accelerate this final repayment of the debts the state once owed to schools and towns,” said Daniels. “With this year’s property tax cuts, we’ve entered a new era of taxpayer protection. We know there will be an adjustment period for local taxing units and want to do all we can to help.”

During an extended period of deficit spending, starting in 2002, state government delayed payments totaling $761 million to K-12 schools, higher education and local governments.

Voter ID law is good for families

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:49:31 -0500

Last week I had the opportunity to interview Indiana Secretary of State, Todd Rokita about the recent Supreme Court decision upholding Indiana's voter ID law and what that might mean for Indiana families. We had a frank and open discussion that merits mentioning.

When I asked Secretary of State Rokita what he had to say to families who may have had their votes offset by others voting illegally in past elections, he told me that the "Photo ID law protects the family from being disenfranchised." He went on to say that thanks to the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the voter ID law, "Their vote won't be stolen by someone who cheats the system."

Common sense. Show your ID to vote. If you are doing things the right way you have nothing to fear.

Secretary of State Rokita called voting the "most sacred civil transaction." He also went on to say that those who claim racism on this issue may be showing some racist tendencies of their own. Some of the critics of the voter ID law are inferring that minority groups do not have the ability to participate in mainstream, modern society. Secretary of State Rokita rejects this notion and showed faith in the minority community's ability to obtain an ID and bring it to vote with them. These sorts of opponents of voter ID remind me of a George W. Bush line, with their "sutle bigotry of lowered expectations."

NRA Ratings for Selected Statehouse Primary Races

Sun, 04 May 2008 18:46:49 -0500

The National Rifle Association has released the following endorsements in the following selected Statehouse races:

State Senate

Brent Waltz - State Senate District 36 - A rated and endorsed

State House

Donald Lehe - State House District 15 - A rated and endorsed
Bill Ruppel - State House District 22 - A rated and endorsed
John Ulmer - State House District 49 - A rated and endorsed
Phyllis Pond - State House District 85 - A rated and endorsed
Mike Murphy - State House District 90 - A rated and endorsed

Hoosier Access Endorses a House District 50 Candidate

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:14:00 -0500

We, the directors of Hoosier Access*, are proud to announce today our endorsement of Rep. Dan Leonard for re-election to the Indiana House of Representatives. Rep. Leonard, (R-Huntington) has represented House District 50 since 2002 and has ably served the people of Huntington and Whitely counties.

Since his election, Rep. Leonard has been a staunch fiscal and social conservative advocating for real and meaningful solutions to the problems that come before the Indiana General Assembly.

During the historic 2008 legislative session that focused a great amount of time on property tax reform, Rep. Leonard stood up for taxpayers by winning passage of the “Little Red Schoolhouse” amendment. This policy proposal was designed to help reduce the high cost of building new school buildings by requiring the Indiana Department of Education to develop a maximum cost per square foot formula for school construction and then maintain a database of approved school construction plans to lower the engineering and architectural costs associated with school construction.

Hoosiers of House District 50 have a legislator that they can be proud of and we encourage voters to cast their ballot for Mr. Leonard in the May 6th primary.

*Jim Banks, Whitely County GOP Chairman and Hoosier Access Director, abstained from this endorsement.

Supreme Court Upholds Hoosier Voter ID Law; 6-3 Ruling Sends Dan Parker Home to Cry

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:55:52 -0500

It wasn't even close if you think about it; the Star's characterization of it as a fractured opinion has more to do with some of the concurrences from several conservative justices urging yet more stringent voter ID measures.

From the Indy Star:

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court, in a fractured decision, upheld an Indiana law today that requires voters show a photo ID issued by the federal or state government.

“States should have the ability to implement appropriate and constitutional steps to protect their electoral systems from fraud,” Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said in response. “We can move forward in Indiana with a process that provides constitutional protections to its citizens protecting their vote from potential fraudulent activity.”

Indiana next votes in the May 6 primary that is expected to set a record for turnout in a presidential election year.

Richard L. Hasen, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and an expert on election law, called the decision a significant win for backers of voter identification laws.

Opponents had argued that the law, considered the toughest voter ID statute in the nation, places substantial practical and financial burdens on voters and is aimed at fixing a type of election fraud that rarely occurs.

The state said the law imposes minimal, if any, interference and increases public confidence in the integrity of the elections.

The court agreed. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices John Paul Stevens and Anthony Kennedy wrote that because Indiana’s cards are free, the inconvenience of getting one does not qualify as a substantial burden on most voters’ right to vote.

Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who sided with the majority for different reasons, did not recognize that opening.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter dissented.

Challengers, who included the Indiana Democratic Party, said the law is particularly hard on the poor, the elderly, minorities and others who might be less likely to own a driver’s license or passport and more likely to vote Democratic.

The law, passed in 2005, was previously upheld by a federal judge and by a panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

A survey released earlier this year by American University’s Center for Democracy and Election Management found that more than two-thirds of registered voters in Indiana, Mississippi and Maryland would trust the election system more if voters had to show an ID. About 1.2 percent of those surveyed lacked a government-issued photo ID, which the center’s co-director said shows the photo ID requirement is not a serious concern.

Poor Dan Parker.

Couldn't care less about the Democrat Marion County Clerk demonstrably disenfranchising thousands of voters in the 2007 municipal primary, but cared so much about a case where not a single actual disenfranchised voter could be found?

Pathetic, and the Supreme Court saw it for what it was.

Supreme Court Upholds Indiana Photo ID Law

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:50:28 -0500

ndiana Democrats have argued for the last several years that 1) requiring voters to prove who they are by showing an ID is unconstitutional and 2) that no vote fraud exists in Indiana.

Democrats aren't likely to ever give up on their second argument; election fraud master Bob Pastrick is still their national committeeman and representative to the DNC. (Did nobody in the party see Sautter’s “King of Steeltown?”). But the Supreme Court had the final say today on the Indiana voter ID case today, and you can bet Indiana Democrats aren't happy.

“The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can require voters to produce photo identification without violating their constitutional rights, validating Republican-inspired voter ID laws.

“The law “is amply justified by the valid interest in protecting 'the integrity and reliability of the electoral process,”' Justice John Paul Stevens said in an opinion that was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Anthony Kennedy.

Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas also agreed with the outcome, but wrote separately.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter dissented.”

For those of you scoring at home, mark this up as another big win for Secretary of State Todd Rokita.

Indiana Voter I.D. Law Upheld

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:48:33 -0500

Oh, you know the Democrats are royally ticked right now. (Start the Democrats chorus of the packed, right wing, Bush court in 3…2…1…)

According the Indy Star…

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states can require voters to produce photo identification without violating their constitutional rights, validating Republican-inspired voter ID laws.

In a splintered 6-3 ruling, the court upheld Indiana’s strict photo ID requirement, which Democrats and civil rights groups said would deter poor, older and minority voters from casting ballots. Its backers said it was needed to deter fraud.

It was the most important voting rights case since the Bush v. Gore dispute that sealed the 2000 election for George W. Bush mirrored.

The law “is amply justified by the valid interest in protecting ‘the integrity and reliability of the electoral process,”’ Justice John Paul Stevens said in an opinion that was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Anthony Kennedy.

Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas also agreed with the outcome, but wrote separately.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David Souter dissented.

More than 20 states require some form of identification at the polls. Courts have upheld voter ID laws in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan, but struck down Missouri’s. Tuesday’s decision comes a week before Indiana’s presidential primary.

The case concerned a state law, passed in 2005, that was backed by Republicans as a way to deter voter fraud. Democrats and civil rights groups opposed the law as unconstitutional and called it a thinly veiled effort to discourage elderly, poor and minority voters — those most likely to lack proper ID and who tend to vote for Democrats.

There is little history in Indiana of either in-person voter fraud — of the sort the law was designed to thwart — or voters being inconvenienced by the law’s requirements.

What is it about God and license plates?

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:48:01 -0500

A judge recently dismissed the case brought against the state by the American Civil Liberties Union for a policy that didn't charge specialty plate fees for the "In God We Trust" license plate the legislature authorized in 2006. Over 1.6 million Hoosiers currently have the plate, which was cited in the ruling that determined these plates are treated as the standard plate and therefore could be distributed without the additional fee that specialty plates typically require.

This is why people hate the ACLU. The bill in Indiana had a bazillion coauthors and received bipartisan support and only drew opposition from Phil Hoy and Matt Pierce, the two most liberal members of the General Assembly. It's clearly enormously popular among Hoosier motorists given the sheer volume of the plates on cars. Even so, it took two full years to finally put this issue to rest, unless of course it's appealed in which case it's still far from finished. Well, if you thought this was needlessly controversial, just take a look at what the legislature in Florida is proposing:

Florida drivers can order more than 100 specialty license plates celebrating everything from manatees to the Miami Heat, but one now under consideration would be the first in the nation to explicitly promote a specific religion.

The Florida Legislature is considering a specialty plate with a design that includes a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words "I Believe."

Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said people who "believe in their college or university" or "believe in their football team" already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with "something they believe in," he said.

If the plate is approved, Florida would become the first state to have a license plate featuring a religious symbol that's not part of a college logo. Approval would almost certainly face a court challenge. - The Associated Press

Ya think?

Governor Daniels endorses Mike Murphy

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:33:00 -0500

Governor Mitch Daniels has announced his endorsement of incumbent State Representative Mike Murphy (R-District 90) for the May 6th Primary Election.

“Mike Murphy has been a terrific partner in moving Indiana forward. He has shown courage and leadership in helping pass historic property tax cuts and authored the telecommunications legislation that has created thousands of new jobs and attracted several hundred million dollars in investment,” Governor Daniels said. “Please support Mike’s continued leadership in the statehouse.”

State Representative Mike Murphy has represented south-suburban Indianapolis since 1994. He is currently Ranking Minority Member of the House Technology, Research and Development Committee. Mike also serves on the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety, and Government and Regulatory Reform Committees. He is a former member of the Ways and Means, Public Policy, Rules, Labor, Education, Agriculture, and Families and Children Committees.

Hoosier Access Radio Interviews Adam Nelson

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:34:05 -0500

Here's the promised interview with GOP House District 86 candidate, Adam Nelson.

Former ISU Star Airs First Ad

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:31:10 -0500

Republican Bob Heaton and former Indiana State Sycamore star is running against Democrat Vern Tincher for HD 46. He will begin running the ad below in Terre Haute tomorrow.

Democrats to Indiana Taxpayers: Drop Dead

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:21:04 -0500

Democrats are standing in the doorway of tax reform, trying to preserve government waste and inefficiency.

Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, thought the proposal tried to do too much.

"We should pass the 1 percent cap on homeowners, and that should be it," he said. "Every time you give a break to someone" it ends up costing your schools and local governments.

There you have it. The Democrats think that preserving government spending is more important than your tax bill.

Democrats are trying to eliminate the tax caps for rental and commercial property. They are also trying to prevent the caps from being written into the constitution.

Property Tax Legislation Must Be Immediate and Permanent

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:58:15 -0500

This week, Senate and House Republicans came together to outline their joint proposal for property tax reform, a plan that goes a long way towards providing Hoosier taxpayers immediate and permanent relief. Throughout the session, Governor Daniels has been accepting of modifications to his property tax proposal. He does, however, insist that the four basic pillars of the plan – immediate relief, permanent protection, assessment reform and local spending control – remain in place in the final version. The Republicans have maintained these must-haves.

The version of tax reform put forth by the two Republican caucuses reflects several concessions to Democrat members. The Governor has agreed to these compromises in order to provide the best solution possible to all Hoosiers. He has agreed to phase in the circuit breaker caps, raising the earned income tax credit, increasing the renters deduction, just to name a few. That said, the Governor and I expect the same cooperation from Democrats in both chambers.

As a former legislator myself, I am confident that all 150 legislators would prefer to pass a lasting and permanent property tax package now instead of going back year after year – as they have been doing – to tweak the law. While the Republican compromise plan is not anyone’s first choice, it is certainly better than status quo. And like the Governor has said, anyone who can’t agree on this plan is not ready to protect Hoosier homeowners.

Double Standard With State Democrats

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:56:00 -0500

OK… what doesn’t make sense here:

Last week Indiana Democrats presented their ‘numbers’ to the media to get the public to see their side and instigate panic to property owners.

And today….the Courier Journal has this to say about the press conference by Republicans regarding the Indiana’s tax reform:

But Democratic House Speaker Patrick Bauer dismissed the event as a partisan stunt and said negotiating by news conference was not the way to reach compromise on a plan.

Property Tax Talks Moved to Statehouse Staircase

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:39:24 -0500

House and Senate Republicans gathered in the statehouse for a press conference this morning to outline compromise language for the property tax bill. On the other side of the aisle, the House Democrats showed today why they put forward a plan to caps property taxes on the basis of household income instead of property value -- so they could kill it and say they're negotiating. They did, however, make some progress on Governor Daniels' plan to put tax caps into the constitution by agreeing to move forward with the 1% cap on homeowners.

One of the positive features of the caps is that they lend predictability to property tax bills. That confidence has been lent to homeowners, but businesses should be afforded the same level of security before they invest or make other business decisions. They still have a long way to go. The good news is that, while there was some political posturing in the media today, there are still eight days left for both sides to come to an agreement. If they're holding press conferences at 2pm next Friday, we've got issues people.

The Thursday Blowup

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:27:47 -0500

The legislative session ended with a walkout yesterday when House Republicans refused to return from caucus after House Speaker Pat Bauer got a bit too liberal with his application of House rules. This blowup was brewing all day long.

The shredding of the House rule book began when Rep. Dave Crooks, who we here at FH just love, convened the House Commerce, Energy, and Utilities Committee without the necessary quorum to conduct business, a blatant violation of House rules. As for the walkout, here's the part you won't read in this morning's Star.

The walkout was triggered when House Speaker Pat Bauer refused to consider the committee report for SB 335, the immigration bill. Committee reports reflect changes made to legislation. Until the reports are adopted, the bills cannot be considered by the full House. Yesterday was the last day to pass a committee report or the bill was dead. Bauer refused to call SB 335 because Rep. Eric Turner filed a minority committee report that would have included language in the bill to restrict public benefits for illegal immigrants, an issue democrats don't agree with but would be forced for political reasons to support if it came to a vote.

Bauer basically pulled a bait and switch on the House Republicans by choosing to kill SB 335 and amend its contents into SB 345, even though it was clearly not germane to the original bill. House rules require that amendments on the floor be germane to the subject matter of the legislation. Further, the amendment to SB 345 was in a bill pending before the House, SB 335. Amending the contents of a bill pending before the House into another bill on the floor is a violation of House rules.

This procedural move allowed Bauer to protect his caucus from having to vote on the Turner report. Bauer poked the House Republicans in the eye once more by recessing session instead of adjourning. This prevents anyone from filing additional amendments to SB 345 and debating the immigrant benefits provisions. Ironically, if anyone does try to address this issue at the podium on Monday, Bauer will likely cite House rules that require debate to focus on the bill being considered.

It's hard to tell who will come out on top of this politically. At the end of the day the original immigration bill will surely pass in some form so in the mind of the public the issue will have been addressed. However, Bauer didn't earn any friends or set the stage for a conciliatory final three weeks of session with his blatant disregard for House rules. It always makes for good political theater, but usually poor public policy and the people's confidence in their legislature is always damaged on days like this.

Political Cannibalism: South Bend Dems turn on Bauer

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:49:30 -0500

We're guessing that Pat Bauer was none too happy when he read his hometown paper this morning. If you're the most powerful person in the House of Representatives, it's bad enough that the local press doesn't realize you've ascended to the position of Speaker after 30-some years in office and calls you the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman (just wait for it). But then to read that members of your own party (including Bob Kovach, a guy that used to serve in the legislature with you) are beating you up? That just makes for an ugly start to the weekend. Here's what the South Bend Tribune and South Bend Democrats had to say about Bauer's handling of HB1001 and the property tax mess:

Commissioner Steve Ross, D-2nd District, singled out a specific state representative.
"The one person who could do something for us," he said, "is B. Patrick Bauer."
Bauer, a South Bend Democrat, serves in the powerful position of chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
"If he doesn't step in to help us," Ross predicted, "we're going to have a disaster."
He said Bauer seems to view himself as a state official, not a local representative, and he needs to be reminded whom he serves.
Commissioner Bob Kovach, D-3rd District, referred to the proposed bill as "a tax shift, plain and simple."
It would take funds away from local government, he said, and require them to raise or create local option taxes to make up for the lost money.

Ouch. Enjoy the weekend, Pat. Maybe you'll take some time to reflect on who you serve. But I'd introduce yourself to the local media first, and maybe give them your updated business cards.

You're Welcome: Tax Relief Taxable

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:45:44 -0500

If I had to say something nice about tax season it would be that this is the last time we'll have to think about the House Democrats' property tax rebate scheme. We've talked about this before so we won't belabor the fine points. The latest debacle with the program, designed to shower political love on Pat Bauer, is that the tax rebates are taxable. Well, maybe they are. The bottom line is that it has to be a wash for the federal government. So if you deducted your property taxes last year and then received a rebate, it's technically untaxed income. The South Bend Tribune does a little Q&A to help you figure it all out:

I'm sure you have had the question many times, but do we have to report the property tax rebate on our tax returns?

B.T., via e-mail

Yes, you're right, B.T., we've heard (and read) that question many times lately. And here's the one word answer: maybe!

If you itemized deductions (or are going to) on your 2007 tax return, and if you took a deduction for the property tax you paid during 2007, then you have to report the rebate as income in 2008. On the other hand, if your 2007 tax return includes the "standard deduction" (tax speak for "you did not itemize deductions") then you don't have to report the rebate since you never received a tax benefit for the property taxes you paid.

Poll Position: Indiana Republicans Strong for 2008

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:47:28 -0500

A new poll commissioned by the HRCC shows republicans in a strong position to take back the House and hold onto the governor's office in 2008. As you would suspect, the property tax issue is driving voter opinions in approval of Mitch Daniels and the legislature in general. Have a look.

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mitch Daniels is handling his job as Governor?

56% TOTAL APPROVE
39% TOTAL DISAPPROVE

Mitch Daniels

57% TOTAL FAVORABLE
37% TOTAL UNFAVORABLE

A Mule by Any Other Name...

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:23:11 -0500

Funny campaign trail story from Mark Messmer, a Republican running for state representative over in Jasper:

I thought I would share a funny story that came up on one of my door-to-door visits in Pike County. I was in the area of Yellow Rose Horse Park where my daughter was competing in some barrel racing. In between her races I was driving around the area and stopped at a house not too far away.

When talking to the couple, I told them about my daughter’s interest in horses and they started to tell me about a pony and a mule that they had on their small farm.

The pony is about 36 years old and they are very fond the animal. They have had him for over 30 years. The mule on the other hand, they got about 3 years ago.

The husband said he has had a real tuff time taming down the mule. She bites and kicks the old pony on a regular basis, and has bitten him in the back several times.

He said to me, “do you know what that mule’s name is?”

I said “no, what is it.”

He said “Hilary” and smiled.

We got along pretty well that afternoon!

New Poll Shows Hoosiers Looking Right

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:01:45 -0500

There has been a poll in the field recently from American Viewpoint for the House Republican Campaign Committee.

AV is a generally Republican pollster that did polling for George Bush’s reelection campaign, Dick Lugar, former senators Phil Gramm and Fred Thompson, Roy and Matt Blunt in Missouri, the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Campaign Committee, and (surprisingly) the Log Cabin Republicans.

The results from the poll of 800 Hoosiers, unsurprisingly, show a state that is looking rightward and is angry about taxes.

Quote of the Day

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:12:14 -0500

“Do you think the people we serve are stupid or dumb?”

- State Representative Jeff Espich, during the debate on school construction referendums

Rep. Pond to Seek Re-election

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:46:04 -0500

From the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

State Rep. Phyllis Pond, R-New Haven, announced Friday that she has filed to run for re-election.
The district she currently represents covers areas of Allen and DeKalb counties. She currently serves on the House Ways and Means and the Judiciary committees.
She wants to be part of ensuring permanent property tax reform and to ensure the planned improvements to U.S. 24 including several interchanges happen as promised.

Representative Pond has served in the Indiana House since 1978.

Teachers' Unions 1, Taxpayers 0

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:14:45 -0500

As you may divine from the Star's article this morning on Governor Daniels' property tax reform bill (House Bill 1001), the Democrat controlled House of Representatives passed many classic Democrat amendments, which GOP leader Brian Bosma says will cost Hoosier taxpayers an additional $350 million.

"We tried to help the poor. We tried to help the renters. These are people who are really left out," said House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend).

Left out because the bill was intended to address taxes paid by homeowners, something that didn't cross the minds of Democrats whose beholden voting blocs do not necessarily see immediate benefit to lower property taxes.

But the bigger news was the successful amendment by Bauer's fellow South Bend Democrat, David Niezgodski, to scale back the referenda portion of the Daniels' plan. Indiana is one of the few states that does not currently put any sort of school issues before the voting public. Daniels proposed that school construction be put towards referenda. The Niezgodski amendment exempted any building with an academic purpose from the referenda.

When asked if he thought the public was incapable of deciding for which buildings to approve construction, Niezgodski said no, but he's worried about harming education.

The real issue is that the Niezgodski amendment stripped any building that Indiana teachers' union members might have to work in.

Bauer says the buildings proposed to still be under referenda, such as stadiums, auditoriums, and natatoriums, are the ones that cause public outcry. But we wonder what percentage of total school construction costs statewide is for "non-academic structures"?

We favor spending referenda for boutique government spending--in our minds, anything that is not an essential government expense. Public Safety, courts, jails, official salaries, streets, plows, the things that differentiate civilized society from anarchy, those are essential government expenses. Public education and crystal cathedrals of education are nice to have, but society will not crumble if they did not exist. Referenda show taxpayers the direct effects on their tax bills to acquire these government amenities.

Those who oppose referenda, like Bauer and Niezgodski, know that when citizens weigh their tax bills versus government spending, they will vote to have government spend less. Beholden to their special interests, House Democrats chose the Unions over taxpayers once again.

House Democrats Strip Referendum Requirement From Tax Bill

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:03:13 -0500

The people in charge of re-electing a Democratic majority in the Indiana House of Representatives are going to have a tough time with a party-line vote which took place during the second reading debate on HB 1001, the comprehensive property tax reform proposal recommended by Gov. Mitch Daniels. Amendment Number 72, offered by Rep. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend), exempts most school construction projects from a public referendum requirement. Unlike most states, Indiana allows local governmental bodies, such as school districts, to approve bond issues funded by property tax levies without first obtaining the approval of the voters through a referendum.

Niezgodski claimed during debate that necessary school buildings would not get built if the proposal remained in tact according to the Star's report on the deliberations. "Do you think the people we serve are stupid or dumb?" Rep. Jeff Espich asked Niezgodski. Of course, Niezgodski replied, "No." Nonethless, this vote could quite effectively be used against Democrats in tight races this November. I'm surprised House Democrats strung their members out on this vote. At least Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jim Schellinger, whose architectural firm has made millions off school construction projects, can sleep a little easier tonight knowing that the House Democrats are fighting to preserve his bottom line.

It's about the Spending!!!

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:48:34 -0500

Here's one of the House Democrats who voted to strip voter referendums from the Gov's property tax plan last night. It's funny how Democrats never want to do anything to control spending.

“We're still looking at the numbers, but it’s possible that people in St. Joseph County will actually see a net tax increase,” explained Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-Granger.

Here's a guy who says he's worried about taxes going up, may or may not vote for the Gov's plan, but can't bring himself to support referendums that give the public a direct say in how their property taxes are raised. Simply amazing.

This from the party that listens?

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:35:22 -0500

Governor Mitch Daniels' property tax relief bill, HB 1001, was heard on second reading in the House of Representatives yesterday. Over 100 amendments were filed and debate occurred on many of them, including amendment number 72. Filed by Rep. Neizgodski, a democrat from South Bend, this amendment revoked the right of the public to vote by referendum to approve school construction projects in their own communities. Apparently listening to the public is only important when they are not trying to stand in the way of big democrat donors like Jim Schellinger, who has put millions in his pockets on the backs of taxpayers while designing the most expensive schools your money can buy.

The single largest factor that led to this year's historic increase in property taxes was local capital projects, specifically new school construction. Debt service to these projects alone accounts for more than half of property tax bills. Historically, Indiana has spent far more than almost any other state on school construction costs, up to 130% of the national average. This is no doubt the product of an unchecked system that includes no public input. This amendment delivered to us from Indiana Democrats ensures they won't have a voice anytime soon.

So much for listening.

Rep. Dan Leonard Passes “Little Red Schoolhouse” Amendment

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:25:42 -0500

This is smart public policy and one of the reasons I like Rep. Dan Leonard’s common sense approach to legislative issues:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, Jan. 22, 2008

Rep. Leonard Fights to Protect Property Tax-payers

(STATEHOUSE) Jan. 22, 2008 – Today, the Indiana House of Representatives debated House Bill 1001, a property tax bill. Rep. Dan Leonard (R-Huntington) authored an amendment to the bill that protects Whitley County property tax-payers.

Last year, three new schools were built in the 50th District, and they were all very similar, but all had separate building plans. Rep. Leonard’s amendment, the Little Red Schoolhouse Amendment, would require the state to have school building plans already drawn up for counties to use. This would save Hoosier taxpayers millions of dollars in design fees.

“School construction is a large portion of local government costs,” said Rep. Leonard. “By moving to pre-designed school construction plans, we will reduce cost to counties, cutting property taxes. Many other states, such as Florida, have already successfully instituted statewide school building plans.”

Whitley County is currently building a new school and estimated costs are $62 million. This bill would help contain costs on construction plans, architect fees and engineering cost. School building costs in Indiana now average 149 percent of the national average for cost per square foot. This is an attempt to lower that and keep spending under control.

HB 1001 received a second reading on the House floor tonight, and representatives were given the opportunities to amend the bill. It is now eligible for a third reading, with the full House of Representatives voting on the bill to determine whether it will move to the Senate.

Rep. Leonard encourages constituents to contact him with questions or concerns through e-mail at h50@in.gov, by calling the Statehouse toll-free at 1-800-382-9841, or by writing him at 200 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

State Rep. Cleo Duncan to Run for 8th Term

prospergroup — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:43:16 -0500

From the Columbus Republic comes this story about State Representative Cleo Duncan:

State Rep. Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg, announced Friday that she will seek an eighth term as the District 67 representative.Duncan, 66, said she is motivated by the chance to contribute to several local and statewide projects she considers important.

“I’m very excited about the prospect of working on permanent, meaningful property tax reform,” she said.

Shifting school operating and transportation costs, and child welfare costs from local governments to the state will create significant change.

“In the past we talked about reducing property taxes by cutting a percentage, but that has been a Band-Aid approach,” Duncan said.

She also wants to make sure that a new three-region water district among Decatur, Jennings and Ripley counties gets established solidly so that it is lasting.

With the Honda manufacturing pant set to open later this year, Duncan is concerned about rail safety.

Of the 200,000 Civic sedans that will be produced annually, 80 percent will be shipped by Rail America to Cincinnati.

Duncan wants to work with Indiana Department of Transportation and Rail America to know where all crossings are and to raise awareness and develop a safety program.

“We are not used to trains. I want to have an ongoing rail safety program in schools and the community to get people’s mindset, and to allow extra time,” Duncan said.

She also is concerned about education, and wants to make post-high school education affordable and accessible. The goal is to have a better educated work force that can compete for jobs.

Duncan was first elected in 1994. She represents Decatur, Franklin, Ripley and Rush counties.

MacKillop Announces Bid

prospergroup — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:19:34 -0500

Today I had the opportunity to attend the launch of the Mark MacKillop for State Representative campaign in Knox, Indiana. MacKillop, a young Republican who has been twice elected to county-wide office as surveyor, is currently the only candidate running on the Republican side against freshman Representative Nancy Dembowski (D). Dembowski is a former mayor of Knox and was appointed to fill out a term in Senate District 5. She ran for reelection in 2004 but lost to Vic Heinhold (R) who recently resigned due to business opportunities and was replaced by Ed Charbonneau.

In this Republican leaning district during a season of anti-incumbency, Dembowski is vulnerable. MacKillop has the energy, the vision, and the ideas needed to win this race in House District 17. His experience in local government and his vision for a better Indiana combined with the fact that he has won elections in Rep. Dembowski’s strongest areas of support mean that his victory will contribute greatly to a Republican takeover of the House.

Here is his announcement speech:

Greetings! Welcome! Thank you for coming. It’s great to see so many friends and supporters. I want to express my sincere gratitude to those who have helped put this event together and to you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today.

Today is an exciting day. Today begins a new chapter in my life and in the lives of my family, friends, and neighbors.

Today we collectively recognize the problems that face our communities. We recognize that for many people property taxes have increased at a rate which skyrocketed beyond any acceptable limits. We recognize that families are struggling to find the resources to meet the financial burden of these property tax increases. The status quo of tinkering with numbers and sending rebate checks that cost even more tax dollars to produce and mail is no longer acceptable. We recognize that it is time for a change.

We also recognize that families and individuals fight the ever increasing high costs of medial services. We recognize and believe that patients must be provided good care at reasonable costs and we support efforts to that end.

Together we recognize that this is a pivotal time in Indiana history. There are significant structural changes being suggested in the way government operates at the local level. We recognize the necessity for efficiency and speed in county services so individuals have their needs met in a timely manner. We also recognize that with this efficiency, speed and streamlining of government services, we must be vigilant to protect against a loss of accountability in government.

We must be careful to retain a strong system of checks and balances which are so vital for the strength of our democracy and republic. Public oversight is never a bad thing. Public comment and public involvement must forever be protected in any reorganization efforts of local governments. It is this public involvement and alertness that is the bedrock to good government.

We recognize that the time has come for an honest and open debate about the issues that affect us most. The status quo of limited debate or a lack of public involvement is no longer acceptable. It is time for a change.

What should we do when we recognize these problems? Should we run away and hide? No my friends! I present to you that it is our duty to respond with ideas for a solution and work towards that end. We call it a campaign. The journey of the campaign will not always be easy. The struggles we face will not always be easily overcome, but we know that at the end of the journey, we will be able to look back at this moment in time and realize that our collective journey towards good representative government began here.

Therefore I hereby publically declare my candidacy for the Republican nomination for Indiana State Representative District 17.

Allow me to make one thing perfectly clear. I am the “common sense conservative candidate” who is pro-life, pro-family, and pro-marriage. I know you value these principles as well.

A few years ago I presented myself to you as a candidate for Surveyor.

They said we couldn’t succeed. They said I was too young and inexperienced to get the job done. You responded with support, new ideas, and encouragement as we endeavored to provide quick courteous service with limited county resources. You responded with appreciation evidenced by your support and encouragement. Together we proved them wrong.

I know that as we go forward from this day you will once again provide guidance, helpful suggestions, and needed encouragement as we run towards the prize that is set before us. To borrow a passage from the book of Isaiah, “We shall run and not be weary; we shall walk and not faint.”

You can rest assured that the high ideals, goals and personal conviction that I brought to the office of Surveyor will be the same high ideals and conviction that I intend to represent in the Indiana State House.

It is with resolute conviction that I present to you the fact that our goals are noble, our cause is just, and our actions are necessary for the betterment of generations to come.

We will fight towards those ends, we will debate the issues that matter, and with your support we will prevail.

Thank you and God Bless.

House GOP seeks cut and cap for Hoosiers

prospergroup — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:17:01 -0500

Republican Leader Brian Bosma sent the following letter to the Indianapolis Star, calling for property tax relief and outlining the goals of the House Republicans.

Three primary issues loom large in the 2008 session of the General Assembly -- property taxes, property taxes and more property taxes. After decades of first aid, it's time for major surgery on Indiana's antiquated property tax system.

That is why House Republicans stand firm for mmediate relief and permanent reform of our outdated property tax system. Our proposals build on Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan and move us toward bold, immediate and permanent relief for every Hoosier taxpayer.

With the hope of framing the debate on tax reform, House Republicans have announced 10 "Standards for Success" with the goal of including these elements in any plan adopted by the legislature:

Immediate property tax cut by May 2008. Homeowners must receive an immediate property tax cut of at least 40 percent by May of this year. No rebates, no gimmicks. This would reduce homeowner property tax bills by almost $1 billion.

Permanent state and local spending caps. We must enact permanent caps on local spending, but it is not enough to tighten local purse strings alone. The state also must live within its means. Our proposal limits state spending increases to the growth in personal income in the state and requires a two-thirds vote of the legislature to exceed this permanent cap.

Permanent 1 percent of assessed valuation homestead cap. Homeowners' property taxes should not exceed 1 percent of their homes' assessed value. This cap would save homeowners $215 million, beginning in 2009.

Remove schools and welfare from property tax. The state already pays 85 percent of school operating costs statewide; House Republicans believe the state should be responsible for that final 15 percent. Also, local taxpayers are forced to pay child welfare costs even though the programs are administered by state employees through state regulations and standards. The state should foot this bill, bringing another $1.1 billion in property tax relief.

Make caps and levy removals permanent. Taxpayers (and lawmakers) are fed up with temporary fixes. The limits on taxing and spending discussed above should be made permanent through an amendment to our state's constitution.

Referenda for local construction and budget increases. Taxpayers should have real control of how their tax dollars are spent by voting on major local construction projects and budget increases that exceed local spending caps. Referenda would give citizens an active role in determining their community's future.

School construction projects built on local option income tax. Statewide, school debt constitutes 37 percent of the increase in our property tax levy. Placing projects on a voter-approved optional income tax would end the property tax spiral.

Fund all cuts with sales tax alone. Even if the property tax burden is relieved, public services must still be funded. Replacement funding should come from the state sales tax, rather than a new tax or increasing income or corporate taxes. Almost 20 percent of the sales tax is paid by out-of-state visitors, and the sales tax presents a fair and equitable funding mechanism supported by most Hoosiers. According to the Legislative Services Agency, a one-penny sales tax increase would provide almost $1 billion in property tax relief in 2009.

Single assessment official in each county. Hoosiers deserve consistent and predictable assessments, a challenge with 1,100 elected assessors in the state. Each county should have a single elected assessor who is trained and qualified to ensure uniform assessments.

Permanent elimination of homestead property tax. This is the key to truly ending Indiana's property tax crises. House Republicans support the elimination of homestead property taxes by 2012; that process should start with this session.

Where great challenges exist, opportunity is present as well. While other matters will demand our attention, all else shrinks in the face of our current property tax crisis.

Hoosiers have made it clear they expect a solution; the House Republicans' standards for success -- cutting taxes now and capping them forever -- offers immediate relief and permanent reform. Hoosier taxpayers deserve no less.

House Dems Pushing 40% Increase in Gas Tax

prospergroup — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:33:27 -0500

House Democrats led by Speaker Pat Bauer spent their 2006 summer vacation in attacking Governor Mitch Daniels for not doing more to address high prices at the gas pump. The governor correctly argued that he can do very little to impact short-term gas prices but has spent much of his time in office focused on developing renewable energy in our state. That wasn't a good enough answer for democrats who kept the attacks up during the final 90 days of the 2006 general election.

Fast forward to the 2008 legislative session and we learn that the House Democrats must think gas is far more affordable today than it was in 2006. House Transportation Committee Chair Terri Austin has introduced HB 1247 to raise the gas tax from $0.18 per gallon to $0.25 per gallon. She also exempts gasoline from the state sales tax, which will surely be the argument that this isn't a tax increase, but as you would expect the state still comes out ahead by as much as $257.9 million dollars when combined with the sales tax increase she also proposes according to the bill's fiscal note.

The real motive of this legislation is to create a stream of revenue that could be used to fund mass transit projects. In advancing this legislation, Rep. Austin has exposed the very problem that Governor Mitch Daniels faced in 2006. At that time the state had transportation needs that totaled over $2 billion. The state could have either tripled the gas tax or leased the operation of the toll road to a private operator. The governor chose to give Hoosiers a break at the pump for the next several years. We're sure that Rep. Austin has sincere motives in advancing this legislation, to help make mass transit a reality in Indiana. We just wish she would have looked to the private sector before she reached in Hoosier's wallets.

Voter ID Law Hypocrisy

prospergroup — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:31:05 -0500

Hypocrisy has become par for the course when it comes to attacks on Indiana's voter ID law, as Abdul has noted by the refusal of Democrats to be concerned when one of their own disenfranchised 3,100 voters in last year's primary election in Indianapolis.

Advance Indiana has read the transcript of yesterday's oral arguments, and seems to think that the law's opponents fell flat in their arguments before the Supreme Court.

I think that the exceedingly skeptical questioning of Justice Anthony Kennedy (the deciding vote in almost all of the cases from the rather divided court) toward the law's opponents should give some indication of where the highest court in the land will eventually come down.

Most amusing of all, however, when it comes to hypocrisy over the voter ID law is this story, which has been cited variously at Instapundit (heh) and Daily Pundit (bwahahahaha!).

On the eve of a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Indiana Voter ID law has become a story with a twist: One of the individuals used by opponents to the law as an example of how the law hurts older Hoosiers is registered to vote in two states.

Faye Buis-Ewing, 72, who has been telling the media she is a 50-year resident of Indiana, at one point in the past few years also claimed two states as her primary residence and received a homestead exemption on her property taxes in both states.

Monday night from her Florida home, Ewing said she and her husband Kenneth “winter in Florida and summer in Indiana.” She admitted to registering to vote in both states, but stressed that she¹s never voted in Florida. She also has a Florida driver’s license, but when she tried to use it as her photo ID in the Indiana elections in November 2006, poll workers wouldn’t accept it.

Subsequently, Ewing became a sort-of poster child for the opposition when the Indiana League of Women Voters (ILWV) told media that the problems Ewing had voting that day shows why the high court should strike it down.

But Indiana Republican Secretary of State Todd Rokita said Monday that Ewing’s tale illustrates exactly why Indiana needs the law. “This shows that the Indiana ID law worked here, which also calls into question why the critics are so vehemently against this law, especially with persons like this, who may not have a legal right to vote in this election,” Rokita said.

Mrs. Ewing, the article goes on to note, registered to vote in both states (and got a driver's license from Florida, no less) in order to be able to claim homestead exemptions on her property taxes in both Indiana and in Florida.

Oh, the irony.

Oh, the hypocrisy.

Par for the course from the Indiana Democratic Party and its allies, I suppose.

Studying the Study

prospergroup — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:46:33 -0500

Dave Crooks received some press this week for HB 1130. The focus of the article was the section of this bill that studies moving from a part-time to a full-time legislature during a study commission this summer. I think it was Mark Twain who said, "Individual liberty and property is never in more jeopardy than when Congress is in session". The same holds true of the Indiana General Assembly. But the full-time v. part-time issue isn't our favorite part of HB 1130. Our favorite part is when Crooks calls for the Kernan-Shepard study to be studied, citing a lack of time to consider the issues carefully. We'll ignore the irony of a bill that creates a new government commission to study the report of a commission that found we need less government, and instead focus on the risk of delay.

There hasn't been a study like the Kernan-Shepard commission in our state's history. For six months they traveled the state and hosted town hall forums where thousands of Hoosiers brought their best ideas forward. Those ideas were reported with very specific recommendations. The time now is for action, not another study commission. Remember, study commissions are usually where ideas go to die.

The real problem with the recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Commission is that they pick a fight that needs to be picked between every layer of government. Only the necessary layers will survive. But for elected officials to undertake such a task is risky for a politically risk-averse group. The only thing that will push these changes is a public that is outraged over government spending.

If the General Assembly passes Governor Daniels property tax relief plan this session property tax bills will fall dramatically, along with voter discontent. The absence of that political force will no doubt cause legislators to put the controversial government reform recommendations in a drawer and forget about them forever. A proposal for a study commission will do little more than buy time to get past a political fire storm with the hopes that the public will return to the days of their indifference to the activity of government.