Frequently Asked Questions

Is HB 1001 the answer to property tax relief in the state?

HB 1001 was a start for the Indiana General Assembly in dealing with property tax issues; however, the plan is not ideal. Though property owners will see some relief this year, citizens who own more expensive property will reap the most benefits, once again. Middle and lower income homeowners will receive only a fraction of the property tax relief compared to upper class homeowners. With the increased consumption taxes, in the form of a sales tax, the total tax burden on middle and low income citizens may even increase rather than decrease.

I am very hesitant to support the abolishment of all property taxes without a comprehensive, detailed investigation into the impact it would have on local governments and schools.  Many communities and counties in Senate District 18 will have a shortfall in revenue in 2010.  They can look for areas that have some excesses to cut but the rest of the shortfall can only be made up three ways; reduce services, reduce staff or increase another tax in the form of a user fee (a tax by any other name).

Is there a way to make social services and school funding more stable?

The reality is that property taxes provide a more stable source of funding than sales taxes and income taxes.  Most local governments start to prepare their budgets in July for the upcoming year, so having a stable revenue source is crucial. With income taxes or sales taxes, a down turn in the economy would undoubtedly affect the revenue source, putting the year’s budget in serious jeopardy. The stability that a property tax can offer is the reasoning behind its use to pay for services such as public safety, road maintenance, park upkeep, and building/code enforcement. The way we fund schools, welfare, and local government must be overhauled.  If the property tax issue is handled properly I believe that the citizens of District 18 will see real relief and still have the level of service they’ve come to expect from the city; but it’s going to take more than band aids and quick fixes. 

What are your thoughts on economic and community development in Senate District 18?

It is time the state encourages regional economic development that makes sense.  Many of the counties in District 18 had been recognized federally as an Economic Development district.  They acknowledged their similarities and met regularly to plan on how they could help each other to be recognized as an economic power in the region.  That regional partnership disintegrated when the state changed the economic districts putting many of these counties in districts that are economically very different.  For community development I’d like to see Community Focus Funds distributed regionally so that improvements can be made all over the state, not just in certain areas.

How does Ivy Tech’s future regional campus in Cass County benefit all of District 18?

Being able to supply an educated work force is imperative to retain business and attract new business. Ivy Tech will give Senate District 18 the opportunity to train existing workers and help educate them when the need arises. It will also give the students who might not be mentally or financially ready to go away to school the opportunity to attend college closer to home and then transfer their earned credits to a four-year university. Senate District 18 will be able to maintain a well-educated and well-trained workforce, which will allow higher paying jobs to locate and stay here. Being able to offer employee training is a huge plus for the entire district.

Is there anyway to improve the burden of health care in the District?

It was reported in the news recently that Indiana ranked 49th in receiving federal health care funding.  I will try to find out why our state doesn’t see the need to utilize those federal dollars while we continue to struggle to meet the needs of our citizens’ health.