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As Hoosier temperatures decline, the economy rises

Monday, August 29th, 2011

This summer has felt like one of the hottest summers we’ve had in Indiana a long time. We’ve seen so many consistent 90 degree weather days and the humidity has been off the charts. But fortunately, we have been lucky in having some days in the 80’s and even in the 70’s recently.

 

It is refreshing to know that even though temperatures might be slowly declining to prepare for the fall season, the Hoosier economy hasn’t cooled. Unlike our neighboring states, Indiana continues to succeed in creating jobs and improving our economy.

 

Last month, State Auditor Tim Berry outlined our state’s strong fiscal health, which is a result of our ability to govern efficiently and Hoosier’s willingness to live within their means. Despite the many economic obstacles and revenue shortfalls over the last year, Indiana is one of the few states in the black. In fact, Indiana spent 5.5 percent less than what was allocated in 2010 and ended with a reserve balance of $1.18 billion.

 

While many leaders across the nation continue to implement tax increases or spend money they don’t have, Indiana’s leaders refuse to raise taxes on Hoosiers and still manage to come out ahead.

 

Here in the Hoosier state, instead of raising taxes, we are opening the doors to economic development and businesses ventures by reducing the corporate tax rate and passing targeted tax credit legislation designed to encourage investment. These policies will enable more businesses to come to Indiana thereby creating more jobs for Hoosiers. Creating jobs for Hoosiers will always be priority.

 

Additionally, we worked to increase access to start-up capital, provide additional economic development tools for local governments and create tax incentives for businesses to renovate old, unused factories.

 

I agree with Auditor Berry, in saying that our progress is a direct result of strong leadership, which in turn has brought businesses to our great state.  Businesses want  a predictable economic climate so they can strategically plan their growth.

 

Since 2005, our state has had 1,125 different businesses, pledge to create 132,931 jobs and invest $26.9 billion in their Indiana operations. In 2011 alone, we have had 11,187 private sector jobs promised with $1.73 billion in capital investment.

 

We have seen many jobs come to our own communities. Franciscan Alliance is bringing 84 jobs to Johnson County; Cummins, Inc. is adding 600 more jobs in Bartholomew County; ET Works, LLC is bringing 60 jobs to Morgan County; and several companies are adding more than 1,400 jobs in Marion County.

 

Saying Indiana is leading the way through this recession, despite all the economic obstacles thrown in its path, is a fair statement. We have made considerable progress in Indiana to find innovative ways to rebound from the recession and adding more jobs will continue to be my top priority.

Lowering gas prices requires a change of thinking

Monday, July 25th, 2011

There is nothing more annoying than getting into your car to go to work, and seeing your fuel light come on, again. The annoyance continues when you pull into your local gas station and see that the price of fuel has increased again.

 

Getting fuel is such a nuisance, but it is something we have to do in order to get from one place to another.We must purchase gasoline but, I believe we can do something about the price of gas.

 

Fuel prices have fluctuated drastically for several years now, and people are simply fed up. Personally, I am concerned that our nation is becoming more and more dependent on foreign oil and that dependence needs to be addressed.

 

In the early 1960’s, President John F. Kennedy stated: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth.”

 

At that time, this idea was unheard of and hard to even imagine. However, it took less than a decade to achieve that goal, which I think speaks great volumes about our American ingenuity and determination. I am using this as an example because I believe we are facing a new challenge that calls for the same spirit and determination.

 

Clearly, the price of oil and natural gas has a tremendous impact on our nation’s economy. Therefore, we must address this challenge by requiring the United States to maintain current domestic oil and natural gas refineries, as well as opening new refineries across the country.

 

CountryMark, for example, is a company who refines 100 percent American crude oil from the Illinois Basin and is our only American-owned oil production and marketing company. In addition, this industry employs 20,000 workers in crude and oil exploration.

 

By sourcing American crude oil, we would enable ourselves to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, while also allowing dollars spent for this oil to remain in the Midwest—where they can support our local economies.

 

It is my hope that we can consider supporting CountryMark and similar initiatives and businesses. I believe that we must ultimately create and support competition for the big oil companies.

 

By encouraging independent oil and natural gas drilling companies, as well as independent refineries, we would create necessary competition with the major oil companies.  This will ultimately decrease the price of energy, in addition to making us energy independent.

 

I understand that this is no simple task; however, it requires a new wave of thinking and ideas.  We can no longer be dependent on foreign oil to fuel our economy and way of life.  I truly believe that if we devote the necessary time and resources to the cause, and unleash the will and spirit of the American people, just as President Kennedy did, within four years we could be energy independent.

 

I have sent letters to all of our Hoosier Congressman and Senators, expressing the need for them to take action and I encourage you to do so too.

Give thanks, even when it isn’t a holiday

Monday, July 25th, 2011

War is a sad time. Whether or not you or someone you know are currently serving, seeing reports of fallen soldiers in the news is always sad.

 

I did not know Specialist E-4 James Allen Walters of Whiteland, but my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. He was killed in action on July 1 when his unit was attacked in Afghanistan by insurgents detonating an improvised explosive device.

 

Twenty-one year old Waters, for those of you who also did not know him, joined the military in 2009. He did his basic training in Fort Benning, Ga. before being assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, N.Y.

 

Last March, he was deployed in Afghanistan.

 

His funeral services were held last week at Whiteland Central High School. During the service, his family was notified that Waters was promoted from private first class to Specialist E-4. More than 750 attended the funeral service to give their respects and to say their final goodbye to Spec. E-4 Waters.

 

Shortly after the funeral, his family was also notified that he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Operation Enduring Freedom and a Purple Heart as a result of his wounds in action.

 

What Spec. E-4 Waters and his family did for this country is immeasurable, and we should all feel indebted to them.

 

As a country, we need to make a conscious effort to not wait until Veterans Day to give thanks to those who have or are still serving, or Memorial Day to remember our fallen soldiers. We need to be thankful every day, and not just the days when our calendar tells us to do so.

 

Next time you are in town and you see military personnel, give them thanks. Also, if you have a second, write to the Waters family, Garry and Valerie Waters, and give them your support. As Americans, we must stick together in these trying times and show one another our support and our gratitude.

Cleaning Up How We Operate

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Indiana’s unemployment rate is 8.2 percent; just under the national average of 9.1 percent. The Hoosier state continues to slowly make progress, but let’s not lose focus on the fact that there is still progress to be made.

 

Our neighboring states aren’t so lucky. Kentucky (9.8 percent) and Michigan (10.3 percent) both have unemployment rates above the national average.

 

In 2010, Indiana’s Gross Domestic Product grew 4.6 percent, compared to the national rate of 2.6 percent,which results in the third highest growth rate in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. This statistic, among others, proves Indiana is continuing to make progress as we break ground and lead the way through the recession, but we can still do better.

 

My first priority is to find more ways the state can lower the unemployment rate. The obvious solution would be for the state to foster job growth. But what about improving our state’s unemployment benefits program so that the system isn’t being abused? Shouldn’t that be considered as a way we can improve our state’s standings?

 

Indiana puts a lot funding into facilities, such as WorkOne, to provide additional training and resources for those on the job hunt or returning to the workforce.  I believe it is only fair to ensure that applicants receiving those state benefits are drug free.

 

Starting July 1, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is implementing mandatory drug testing for Hoosiers who receive training paid for through WorkOne. The policy was approved by the State Workforce Investment Council (SWIC), which oversees WorkOne operations throughout the state.

 

DWD wouldn’t be doing anything that a normal employer wouldn’t routinely do when screening for applicants. In addition, this policy is consistent with federal law.

 

If we are using state resources—taxpayer dollars—to train these individuals, they shouldn’t be taken advantage of especially during a time when we are already in short supply of resources.

 

If someone is using illegal drugs and completes a training program, the chance of them being hired is slim due to so many employers drug testing prior to employment. Therefore, the money spent on training them for their return to the workforce was a waste of time and valuable resources.

 

According to the DWD, individuals who test positive for controlled substances will be unable to participate in training for three months. If a participant passes a subsequent drug screening, he or she will be reinstated to the program. However, a second positive test will result in a one year waiting period. In addition, all individuals who test positive for controlled substances will be referred to substance abuse counseling.

 

The drug screening implemented by DWD applies only to applicants for third party training programs; it does not apply to unemployment insurance benefit recipients. The legislature, however, implemented legislation this past session that would prevent claimants from collecting unemployment benefits if they fail or refuse a drug test offered by a prospective employer.

 

This legislation goes into effect on July 1.

 

These implementations are some of the ways we are working to improve the unemployment benefits program, while also encouraging those that want work can without using drugs as a distraction.

Raising taxes doesn’t solve anything

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

It seems like every time I attend a local event or open my morning paper, I hear about another local government entity debating a referendum. When local officials need money to fund a project or construct a new building, it requires raising your property taxes to pay for it. By doing so, they are required to put a referendum on the ballot to get the taxpayers’ approval.

In the current economy, raising taxes is the last thing we need.  Enough is enough.

I understand that there are times when we need improvements in our community.  But there is a difference between “needing” and “wanting”.  I am hearing that the City of Greenwood is requesting a $12 million increase in taxes.  They need $7.4 million for a swimming pool and $4.5 million to purchase a building the city is currently leasing and to buy land for a new future city building.

Recent history shows us how poorly referendums have gone over within our community because voters don’t want their taxes raised. Fortunately, they have the right to voice their opinion at the polls.

The Johnson County sheriff’s department pushed in May of 2010 for a $2.3 million jail expansion (an improvement that is truly needed), yet the referendum failed.

Center Grove school system asked for an additional 15 cents on each $100 of assessed property value in order to pay for various renovation projects.  The referendum failed also.

Nineveh-Hensley-Jackson school system requested in 2009 to receive $4.5 million a year for 22 years in order to lease an elementary school and make improvements. This was another referendum that would have raised taxes.  It failed.

Other proposed projects within the last 2 years that were never brought to the ballot:  Center Grove High School base project asked for $84.2 million, West Grove Elementary project asked for $31 million and another Center Grove project asked for $27.3 million.

The Johnson County Library is currently considering spending between $26 million and $33 million on a new library building. Do we really need a new library at this time? Either way, this will probably be on the ballot in the May primary in 2012 for your approval.

In the mid 1960s, then Governor Otis Bowen passed a major property tax reduction reform bill. Since that time, property taxes have crept up until 2008 when the legislature passed a bill to protect property taxpayers by allowing voters to decide if their property taxes should be capped—1% for homestead property, 2% for rentals and farmland and 3% for commercial, personal and excess residential properties.

I supported the tax caps in 2008 and even helped push the legislation through the House.  More than 80% of voters in Johnson County voted to adopt the caps.  This referendum passed overwhelmingly.

My point is our economy is struggling, local and state governments are struggling and Johnson County families are struggling. Raising taxes in these poor economic times should not be a solution.

The truth is that everyone could use more money to run their offices, their businesses, their schools and their homes. This economy should have taught us to adjust to a new norm of living. We need to look beyond a quick fix of raising taxes. The taxpayers should not be looked at or approached as a never ending pocket book.

Do we not understand that raising property taxes above the caps should be only done when we’re faced with an emergency? Wanting improvements to older buildings or purchasing new buildings would be nice for the community, but is there an emergency to do so? I truly believe that in the current economy taxpayers do not want us to raise their property taxes.