A Snapshot Of The District
In the aftermath of the space shuttle tragedy, it seems necessary to observe how precious life is and how quickly it can be lost. Those seven astronauts were extraordinary individuals with outstanding academic, military, and personal achievements. Many of us had become accustomed to the success of the NASA program. The loss of the shuttle, Columbia, should reinforce the uncertainty and danger associated with space flight. Please take a minute to reflect and pray for the family members left behind.
Every year I send out a poll in which citizens respond to a number of questions. Although it is not scientific, it is a good snapshot of the district and how most people feel about issues. Not only is it helpful to me, but oftentimes, it can also relate directly to my vote on a certain matter. Here are the results of this year�s survey:
1) Is our public school system doing an adequate job preparing our students to enter the workforce?
Yes, 44.4 percent
No, 55.6 percent
2) Should third graders in Indiana be tested for their ability to read?
Yes, 91.7 percent
No, 8.3 percent
3) How should state spending be controlled?
a) Eliminating government inefficiency and mismanagement, 65.5 percent.
b) Other, 22.7 percent.
c) Reducing social services (Medicaid, public assistance, mental health services), 4.8 percent.
d) Reducing the number of felonies punishable by incarceration, 3.5 percent.
e) Slowing the rate of growth for education funding, 1.9 percent.
f) Slowing the rate of growth for road construction and maintenance, 1.6 percent.
4) Should non-nutritious beverages and snack foods be sold from vending machines during school hours?
Yes, 17.4 percent.
No, 82.6 percent.
5) Should public tax dollars be used to develop and maintain recreational trails on abandoned railroad right of ways?
Yes, 24.6 percent.
No, 75.4 percent.
6) Should state government offer tax breaks, loan guarantees and other incentives to businesses in an effort to attract new jobs to Indiana and/or to keep jobs in Indiana?
Yes, 74.9 percent.
No, 25.1 percent.
7) Which do you believe would be the best solution for local road funding?
a) Use 100 percent of the current sales tax on gasoline for road improvements, 55.3 percent.
b) Maintain road funding and the repair and expansion of roads at current levels, 37.2 percent.
c) Increase the gasoline tax, 7.5 percent.
8) Should the General Assembly allow a land-based casino to open in French Lick/West Baden?
Yes, 37.8 percent.
No, 62.2 percent.
9) Currently, only the purchase of non-food items is subject to the state sales tax. Should the sales tax also apply to services (e.g. dry cleaning, auto repair, hair care, lawyer/physician/veterinarian services)?
Yes, 9.4 percent.
No, 90.6 percent.
10) What should Indiana�s highest priority be for our state police?
a) Increase state police salaries to match or exceed the salaries of county and local police, 49.7 percent.
b) Provide highly trained detectives to help solve difficult crimes and assist local police departments, 27.3 percent.
c) Other, 11.2 percent.
d) Increase the number of highway patrols, 7.0 percent.
e) Hire more staff and buy more specialized equipment, 3.7 percent.
f) Provide casino security, 1.1 percent.
This survey will be used primarily as a tool for measuring constituent feedback for my district. Under no circumstances does this reflect what bills will or will not pass during this legislative session.
The 17-year old practice of interpreting the way the Homestead credit is applied will continue to make news. You should become accustomed to reading and learning about the �mistake� concerning the state budget. The bottom line is this: property tax payers will pay extra, and the state will keep more of the money that, for 17 years, has been used to reduce local property taxes. Therefore, the state will raise your taxes without it being a direct state tax increase, while the �mistake� could allow the state to keep $280 million to help solve the budget question. And here is something to ponder: if only the state could find a couple more tax situations to �reinterpret,� then all of our budget problems may be solved!
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