It was an exciting week for both chambers of the General Assembly. The Senate passed legislation addressing the insolvent unemployment trust fund issue. On the other hand, the House majority was playing partisan politics by passing amendments that undermine student achievement and do a ‘bait and switch’ on permanent property tax cap protection.
More Quality Time in Classroom Boosts Academic Achievement
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett, announced last week an initiative that ensures students will receive the minimum 180 days of instructional time each year as required by law. Currently, parent-teacher conference days, half days and professional development days are counted as part of the 180-day schedule even though students do not receive a full day of instruction. Additionally, schools will be required to make up school days missed due to inclement weather, instead of being able to apply for a waiver.
Amendment Blocks New Initiative
Unfortunately, not more than a week after Dr. Bennett announced his vision for student achievement; the House majority party passed an amendment to block Dr. Bennett’s initiative. The amendment keeps Indiana at the status quo and sends the message that student instructional time takes a back seat to special interests.
Students Deserve Opportunity to Achieve
The amendment hurts Hoosier children by cheating them out of valuable classroom time. There are numerous examples linking student achievement to increased instructional time. Currently, students across the globe receive up to 240 days of instructional time per year and outperform U.S. students academically. As Indiana continues to compete on a global scale, we must not falter from giving Hoosier youth every opportunity to achieve.
Band-Aid Approach Does Not Equal Permanent Taxpayer Protection
2008 Legislative Action
In 2008, the Indiana General Assembly passed HEA 1001 that phased in property tax caps. It set the caps at 1.5% for homesteads, 2.5% for other residential properties and agricultural land, and 3.5% for businesses and personal property for 2009 tax bills and then lowered the caps to 1%, 2%, and 3% in 2010. Along with the statutory caps, the General Assembly passed SJR 1, which started the process to make the caps permanent by including them in the Constitution. SJR 1 needs to be passed again in order to go before Hoosier voters where they will have the final say on whether or not the caps should become part of our Constitution.
House Democrats ‘Duck and cover’
It’s becoming painfully clear the House majority party have no intention of fulfilling the promise made to Hoosier taxpayers and give them the opportunity to vote on permanent property tax cap protection in the next General Election. This week, the House majority put forth an amendment that made the 2010 statutory 1%, 2%, and 3% caps applicable for 2009 property tax bills. The amendment passed with bipartisan support because it provides Hoosier property taxpayers with over $200 million in property tax relief. However, the majority continues to ignore demands from taxpayers for action on making property tax caps permanent. This is, in my opinion, a way the House Democrats can say they support property tax caps, without actually voting for them. If we don’t vote to pass the property tax caps, problems will only get worse.
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Update
Senate Takes Action to Fix Fund
The Indiana Senate passed HB1379 which provides a great start for addressing the expected $1.5 billion hole in the Unemployment Insurance Trust fund. The Senate should be commended for their efforts, especially given the fact that the House majority failed to pass any legislation addressing the insolvent fund.
The Senate version provides both immediate and long term changes. It does not repair the fund overnight, but will put Indiana on the right track for reform.
The bill works toward addressing the insolvency issue in multiple ways, including everything from closing loopholes that subsidize individuals who abuse the system to tax and benefit adjustments.
House Republicans Will Work Toward a Solution
While the current form of the bill may not be perfect, it definitely takes a step in the right direction. We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure out-of-work Hoosiers are protected from economic downtowns while taking a commonsense approach to bringing the fund back to solvency.
Rep. Woody Burton (R-Greenwood) paid tribute on Tuesday to the families of the 152 fallen men and women from Indiana who made the ultimate sacrifice defending their country, especially those fighting the war on terrorism.
