Issues
Economy
- Will work to ensure that State Government functions within its means
- Impose property taxes reasonably and equitably
- Ensure that property tax dollars are spent efficiently
- Will SUPPORT legislation to create a tax system that is fair, predictable, and affordable for all homestead, agricultural, and business properties
- Will work to stimulate the economy and create vibrant communities
- Look for economic development opportunities supported by funds that do not increase state or local taxes
- Support both small businesses and large industries to create more jobs and improve the economy
- Encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship in Indiana communities
- Seek ways to challenge young people and students to become engaged in entrepreneurism for future economic development here in Indiana
- Will SUPPORT legislation to provide incentives to keep new industries in the state and help existing business thrive and create more jobs
- Will SUPPORT legislation to develop a support system that will ensure new businesses have a chance to succeed
- Will SUPPORT legislation to make Indiana a leader in alternative energy development, creating high-paying jobs for Hoosier workers
- Will SUPPORT a tax cut for small business to help provide health insurance for employees
- Will SUPPORT legislation to ensure that employers verify the documents they receive from immigrants are valid, and workers are in the state legally
Healthcare
- Will work to improve the basic quality of Indiana’s healthcare system
- Improve quality of care by creating accountability and developing technology
- Will SUPPORT legislation to require hospitals to report quality data
- Will SUPPORT legislation that provides incentives for upgrading technology
- Will fight to allow Indiana hospitals to continue participation in Disproportionate Share (DISH) Programs
- Indiana ranks 49th in the nation for receiving Federal funds to provide healthcare
- DISH programs allow hospitals to leverage federal dollars to care for more Medicaid/ Medicare patients
- Will OPPOSE legislation that would prevent Indiana hospitals from participating in Federal leveraging programs
- Will pressure State Government to improve Medicaid practices
- Medicaid has not given any rate increases for services in thirteen years
- Investigate Medicaid payments contracted with private insurance companies
- Will SUPPORT legislation raising rates for Medicaid payments
- Will OPPOSE state contracts with private insurance companies for Medicaid payments
- Will work to improve the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP)
- The money is available, but it is not being spent correctly to provide care for patients
- Simplify the standard for qualification in HIP to a means test
- Will SUPPORT legislation to remove the six month waiting period to qualify for HIP
- Will SUPPORT legislation to remove the employer insurance disqualification for HIP
- Will SUPPORT legislation to create a simple means test for qualification
Education
- Will work to ensure that Hoosier children receive adequate education
- Revise No Child Left Behind so that it works for children
- Consider implementing a progress model for school accountability
- Allow individual school corporations make consolidation decisions to prevent small communities from losing their local schools
- Ensure that school funding comes from stable, dependable sources
- Allow teachers to negotiate fair contracts
- Will SUPPORT the Pilot Program that Indiana was chosen as a participant to find ways to improve No Child Left Behind
- Will OPPOSE legislation that forces small schools to consolidate into larger corporations
- Will SUPPORT legislation that provides stable funding sources for schools
- Will SUPPORT legislation that allows teachers to negotiate their contracts
Energy
- Will work to diversify Indiana’s energy sources
- Use Indiana’s abundant farmland for biofuels and ethanol
- Develop Indiana’s wind resources to create alternative energy sources
- Explore Indiana’s solar capabilities for energy production
- Investigate the ability to convert Indiana’s coal resources into cleaner burning fuels
- Will SUPPORT legislation to provide incentives to Indiana companies investing in alternative energy sources that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil
- Will make sure that Hoosier workers are a part of Indiana’s energy “makeover”
- Utilize Indiana’s historic manufacturing capabilities to make the state a leader in production of hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles
- Create sustainable, good-paying jobs for Hoosier workers
- Will SUPPORT legislation to provide incentives to Indiana manufacturers to produce hybrid vehicles, and a suspension of the sales tax for fuel efficient autos made in the state
- Will make research and development a priority to ensure that Indiana stays ahead of the game
- Encourage Indiana’s fine universities and engineering resources to become national leaders in research and development of new technologies
- Will SUPPORT legislation that gives Hoosiers opportunities to capitalize on the need to diversify our energy sources and make Indiana a leader in alternative energy production
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.
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