Loading ...GENTLEMEN, START YOUR NEGOTIATIONS
The 2008 session of the Indiana General Assembly has just started. By amending and passing its version of HB 1001, the Senate has drawn a line in the sand and it can negotiate in earnest with the House of Representatives. While it’s easy to see the lines over how much tax relief to provide or which antiquated elected officials need to be protected here is what you really need to pay attention to; both sides are now playing a game of political chicken, but hoping for different outcomes.
Senators want a “philosophical” victory that means they want to adjourn on time, because to stay late would be a loss. House Democrats want to adjourn on time because if they don’t it becomes a campaign issue that they failed to give Hoosiers tax relief. What I worry about is in a rush to “get something done” mistakes are made which will take years to fix and at the end of the day, the only people who will be happy about this will be that other branch of government, the lobbyists.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:50 am
So Abdul, are you saying that all the politicians care about is themselves, their OWN wants and needs and not what the citizens/tax payers/employer of these people/voters want and need? (said with tongue in cheek). Well that is par for the course isn’t it? This just proves that, even after the election in Marion County last November, they still don’t get it, or just don’t think it will happen to them. What a bunch of arrogant …………”s. People, it’s time to prove them wrong. That’s why I always say…..
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REMEMBER NOVEMBER
February 27th, 2008 at 10:21 am
We’ve had a zillion hours of testimony, letters, conversations, and analysis. I doubt we’ll learn much more. I suggest phase-in the governor’s plan with some immediate, transitional relief for schools and seniors. Wouldn’t that have been a good guess when we started? Those who favor the status quo should be happy, because they won’t get a better deal after the next election if they go home with zero property tax reform.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
The General Assembly can pass whatever tax package they wish, but it won’t amount to a hill of beans if the People are unable to pay what the State then demands of them.
It all seems less of a taxpayer-relief mission and more like one of Sheriff-enrichment.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
As for their reconciliation bill-They can go to h— for trying to bilk the citizens of Marion County-See you all on the streets in protest if they send it back unchanged, worse, and with some measly rebate.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Once again we see what a waste of time and waste of money the General Assembly has cost us by doing nothing and holding out for their special interest groups. I am tired of the excuse that they are worried about the poor and that with referendums our schools will fail. Basically they are saying that we the people have no brains and we are not a compassionate people. Funny how last week United Way revealed that their VOLUNTARILY contributions were up 2 million dollars over expected goals. Now does that sound like referendums would not work versus the tax payers having the burden of going door to door to collect signatures on their own time after putting in 8 hours or more of work to pay their property taxes? Not to mention how many of us hide from the “salesman” at the door. Let the people vote!!
February 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Those of you on here every day complaining about our government need to take a very hard look at Sean Shepard for Congress.
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Today Sean Shepard held a press conference to discuss David Walker’s resignation. Walker is the former comptroller of the U.S. that has been travelling the country to warn Americans that U.S. debt is beyond our ability to pay and that we must cut spending and change course immediately. Most of Congress is not listening.
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Sean also held the conference to discuss the FDIC’s announcement this week that they predict 100 banks are going to go belly up and you’d better make sure your deposits are covered.
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These are two biggest issues pressing our nation and the other two candidates are not discussing them.
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Before you vote, ask yourself one question:
Who got us into this mess? Unless we get serious about putting people into office who mean business, we are not going to pull out.
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Send a message to every politician in this state (and the nation). Your vote to put a qualified Libertarian into office will cause every politician in this state and beyond to tremble in fear.
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Let’s break the two-party system that put us in this crisis. Vote for the Libertarian on March 11 and help Indiana send the 1st Libertarian to congress.
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That’s as powerful of a message that can be sent.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
We’ve published a property tax repeal plan on our website that has not yet been considered. We’re looking for critiques. Just click our link to get there. And please weigh in with your opinion.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
did anything ever happen with david o’s plan? it was the only dem plan that was proposed. once the session started, you never hearda word about it.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Melyssa,
The FDIC also announced that it was re-hiring retiree’s to cover expected increases in workload. They mentioned 100 bank closings as a minimum. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be much higher - similar to the number during the S&L crisis.
Also, Citibank is currently working behind the scenes in DC to secure a $700B bailout - to be paid for by the host and readers of this blog.
Nearly 100 years of special interest oriented fiscal policy is finally coming home to roost. Now that the beneficiary’s of our policy have sucked everything they can out of the system, the dance is almost over and it’s gonna be you and me who are tasked with paying the piper.
FYI, Alan Greenspan just recommended that the Middle Eastern gulf states establish their own currency, which will shatter the ability of the Fed banks to maintain a reserve supply in order to issue loans. And just today, Bernanke contributed to that crisis by announcing another pending rate cut.
We’ve been undermined by a trojan horse leadership, known as Wall Street (under the guise of the GOP/Dem Party), which has globally divested itself and is now implementing domestic policy that will enable regional economies to expand by methodically scaling back the US economy. Bernanke’s announcement today is an IED against an economy that has eliminated virtually all armor against foreign economic superiority.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
At Sean Shepard’s press conference on this matter today he indicated that China owns about 10% of America’s debt. It sounds like they are progressing toward a plan to literally “own” America.
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And we’re arguing over whether to send the democrat or republican to Congress…the two parties that are y oblivious;, as evidenced by their inaction, to the crisis facing America and her independence.
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We need to send the Libertarian to Congress.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Zinda — David O’s plan was obviously nothing more than an attempt to be first out of the gate to gain attemtion for his bid for the 7th District seat in November. There’s another politician who’s paying more attention to the job he WANTS than to doing the job we already elected him to.
FYI, though, he’s holding a forum on the tax reform plan tomorrow (Thursday 2/28) at North Methodist Church (38th and Meridian) at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, he and his do-nothing counterpart across the aisle, Sen. Teresa Lubbers, are jointly hosting a similar forum at North Methodist at 6:30 (that’s at 55th and Meridian). Taxpayers need to be at both and ask the TOUGH questions!
February 27th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I’m telling you, everyone sits around the state house and bitches, complains and postures and then they scramble at the last minute like they don’t have enough time to finish business.
NBA games usually come down to the last 2 minutes, so let’s just quit wasting time and put the two minute clock on these clowns and tell them get it done.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I’d rather “bench” as many of the current crop of legislators that we can.
All their experiences tell them that this will all blow over if they just dither and distract long enough. They’ve already held over the township assessors stranglehold on our properties this year. How much more is everybody willing to shrug off?
Are the legislators going to be proved right, or are voters actually going to get off their collective keisters this November and help change happen?