Loading ...WHAT PART OF “REFORM” DO SOME PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND?
I can’t believe there are people in this world who can’t grasp the concept of reform. I have heard people complain that local governments will lose money. I think what they mean to say is governments will get to keep less of YOUR money.
One group that doesn’t get it is the Indiana State Teacher’s Association. Check out this excerpt from an e-mail they sent out to their members.
“Property tax relief legislation passed both Houses Friday and is expected to cause negative repercussions to schools and other local units of government. The legislation shifts the last 15% of local property support for the School General Fund to the state, leaving instruction without the safety net of local funding when state funds decline. State revenues are now $250 million LOWER than projected for 2009 and revenue growth forecasts are being revised downward.”
Let me translate this into English, “We won’t have as much of the taxpayers’ money to play with anymore.” Here’s another excerpt.
“Among the promises to public education which are now not likely to be kept are: State-wide implementation of full-day kindergarten; funding for PL 221 mandated standards; funding for the P-16 Education Plan; restoration of remediation funding. Most importantly, school funding formula increases in 2009 and 2010 are in doubt.”
Let me translate this section into English for you, “We won’t have as much of the taxpayer’s money to play with anymore.”
I have yet to hear from one person who complained that the government was losing money who did not work for the government. Local governments should use this opportunity to reinvent themselves by consolidating, privatizing and looking for efficiencies. And if the squeeze is going to be put on them then I say fine. They should have been doing this a long time ago.
It’s a new day in Indiana and it’s time for everyone to get with the program or get lost.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:05 am
The last election was just a precursor to what is coming in this state. The days of pork are over! We are expected to do without in order to stay within budget, it is time to force our government to do the same. This plan is not perfect by any means, but it is a darn good start!!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Yea, that means that something is begining to work even before it’s tried. Now quit whining and get busy -you know reinventing yourselves like the poor taxpayer has to do. Unfortunately, all the feeders of the system will put all their efforts into circumventing this instead of doing what they need to do. But right now , we sort of win, you lose. Get over it.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Again I will bring up the issue, the state teachers union has an underground tunnel to the statehouse, we need to brick up the tunnel entrance to the Capitol building, and have them enter thru the main doors like everyone else.
At least it’s a start.
Maybe thats why their so arrogant with the taxpayers money, they have had the back door entrance to the legislatures for years. It’s time for a real change.
P.S. Abdul, any building or structure built with taxpayer money HAS to be built with UNION wages, NO exceptions UNION wages, its the law!
This includes storage building, schools, offices.etc!
Folks do we get it, the unions are one of the reasons taxes are so high in the state of Indiana. For those who don’t understand, it’s called prevailing wage, short for UNION wage.
We as taxpayers are forced to pay this wage, this also needs reform!
P.S.S. Township Trustees need to go,they have outlived their usefullness in the State of Indiana. Now there used for political payback jobs of the party in power, doesn’t matter if it’s a R or D, they all abuse the Trustee system for political patronage in the state of Indiana. Time for reform. Elvis has left the building, please turn off the lights!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:38 am
“Show me the relief.” A truth in practice, demonstration is in order.
Winning has been reduced to shades of mediocrity and limited options; tax increases sold as down the road, waiting for Godot, “relief.”
As a public service, informed legislators should take to the air waves now (they understand the stuff they sign, right?), in the open light of day, help citizens calculate their bills and show them how government spells “relief.”
March 17th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
It would have been better if they had done nothing. The only thing they did, is re-name the status quo, while handing us a gigantic tax increase.
If-GOD FORBID-they get the constitutional changes, removing the term “Uniform and Equal”, You will be existing in Indianagrad. All of the changes they are striving for bend the constitution farther toward “From each, according to their ability. To each, according to their need.”–Sound familiar?
Welcome to the Socialist Republic of Indiana.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Step Child,
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How much time did you spend living behind the Iron Curtain? Obviously not enough. If you had, you’d realize that we now have about the same effect on our government as those who lived in the Eastern Bloc nations. The only difference is that they had less petty offenses and misdemeanor charges that micro-managed every aspect of their daily lives.
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We’ve been trained to willingly believe in a system that the Eastern Bloc nations were forced to accept.
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If you disagree with the analogy, I’ll ask again: How much time did you spend living behind the Iron Curtain?
March 17th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It is taking time, but little by little those who represent the great middle class of America are beginning to realize that they are the engine that is driving this country’s future (culturally, emotionally, economically, politically, morally). They are beginning to realize that the special interest groups at both ends of the political and economic spectrum are responsible for many of the problems we have today. They are beginning to realize that government is here to serve the citizens, not a fiefdom to demand money from the people. The great middle class of America (made up of moderate Republican, Democrat, Libertarians, all races and creeds) are now at the realization that the extremes on both ends only care about preserving the status quo. Unfortunately, hard times are upon us, likely to get worse in the short term, but better days ahead if this strong middle class will stand by its’ principles. Keep up the good work Abdul. You, along with many other blogs, are keeping the real issues and agendas in front of us. It then becomes our responsibility to take the necessary actions to demand necessary changes. Sorry for the long rant, but there is hope, but it will follow pain.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Then why do we keep funding privately-owned sporting teams? This blows my mind on an almost daily basis. I get seriously upset over it.
And if we are really trimming, shouldn’t we give up the Super Bowl bid since we’ll be donating government and safety services? (You know, money we don’t need to spend.) Especially to an entity that comes into our town without having to pay taxes during their stay. I’m pretty sure the NFL is a for-profit agency, right? Shouldn’t they pay taxes no matter what.
Let’s make sure we’re keeping with this policy across the board, and not just stuff that doesn’t apply to us any more. I’ve never been (& don’t plan to attend) a Colt’s game, yet I still have to help build the stadium located less than a mile away from the neighborhood I’ve lived in my entire life.
I know not every school needs a new swimming pool, or scoreboard, but I’d rather my money go back into the youngsters guiding my future than a private sporting organization that seems to put their hand out every time they need something, or else they threaten to leave town.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Shorebreak,
I totally agree with your analogy. I lived in socialist Britain not, the eastern block. This kind of socialism is a slow and, insidious mutation. Like a tumour that grows in spurts. The discomfort of it is ignored, until it has overwhelmed the host. The PC of that mindset is what has reduced London to the name Londinistan, Oddly, there is a desire in GB to turn away from these practices. But, the “entitled” (Welfare class) won’t hear of it…
March 17th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Hate to tell you this, but spending for education needs to be put in check. In Franklin Township, public school Adams Elementary spent $100 million to expand to build 4 new classrooms (regular classrooms), 30 more parking spaces and a driveway, and expand the playground. Why????
March 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I think only way out is to put citizens first, with an expectation of community participation, responsible behavior and joint sacrifice along the spectrums of income, race, and politics. Without everybody feeling like like the “other guy” also has to contribute, we’re toast. You want less irresponsbile child welfare costs? You’ll have smoother sledding if you go after companies that close pension funds on retirees. You acquire some activistic and participatory outrage when you mentor a couple of years at your kid’s school and THEN hear that your elected representative likes to play golf instead of being present for a vote.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I know most don’t agree with me but I say eliminate lobbing and you eliminate the problems that come from special interest groups who seem to really rule. Of course there is some good lobbing that is needed (but if the politicians did the right thing won’t those groups be taken care of) but I don’t think the good outweighs the bad. Also, get rid of every perk and gift that politicians can take. This will make them less beholden to anyone. I don’t know, seems to make sense to me……..after, it’s government for the PEOPLE not special interest.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Jon G, I would not disagree with you regarding the negative impact lobbying has on governing. However, I think even more impactful would be absolute term limits. Our current “old boy” network of politicians is, in my view, at the root cause of important issues being ignored by our elected representatives. They are spending more time on ensuring re-election (hence need for lobby money and favor) than taking a hard look at tough decisions.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Jon G is onto the real root of the problems; the far too cozy relationship between lobbyists and legislators. In my industry, the lobbying is fierce and gets a lot done that directly benefits Hoosier companies. However, it’s a sliding scale of trade-offs: the lobbying directly benefits Hoosier businesses, but at the indirect expense of taxpayers since maximum efficiency in the industry (the absolute lowest prices for what is produced) is not achieved regularly.
Oddly enough even though legislators can leave the legislature to work for a lobbying firm that’s given them contributions or other perks, ordinary state workers cannot leave to work for any company they’ve directly impacted. That’s hypocrisy at it’s finest.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Please tell me which school systems came out last summer and started working with the homeowners in their districts to develop a plan to keep those people from being evicted due to inability to pay their property tax bill.
Be equally compassionate and fully fund those districts that cared about taxpayers then, and give a heavy-handed whack to the budgets in all the other districts that just said ‘gimme’.
(Yeah, I know. There actually weren’t any schools in the first category)
They really squeal like stuck pigs when THEY are the ones feeling the pinch.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Greg,
I agree with you on term limits. Then you would have people that run for office only for the purpose of serving the people. They would be the ones who would make sacrifices for the short term knowing they aren’t in it for the long run and what they can get out of it, but what they can do to serve. If you removed all the greed and self serving elements you wouldn’t have the scum running for office because there would be nothing in it for them. Only the people who really cared enough to sacrifice their time and do the job because they wanted to truly help would run for office. I don’t know, maybe that’s to idealistic. And it makes sense so it will never happen.
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REMEMBER NOVEMBER
March 18th, 2008 at 6:47 am
In some ways, I desparately hope you’re right. Reform was badly needed; we got half a cup. Better than nothing? Yes, always. Enough? Nope.
It looks to me like the real bonus for homeowners is the 1% cap. If I understand it correctly, no property taxes could rise above 1% of the home’s gross assessed value. That is tremendous news for most homeowners in the state.
The hidden devil? In too many counties, elected boobs are going to compute that AV. Again, I remind you: the state’s biggest township elected an assessor with no qualifications whatsoever, over a state-certified appraiser. Just because the favored candidate was OK with the Center Township machine.
As long as we can still do that, we’re on the edge of disaster.
And for what it’s worth, the teachers are only looking out for their membership. I can’t find fault with that. This constant bashing of teachers’ unions is getting real, real old. I’m not a teacher, but teachers are the front line in the battle for quality education.
If you want to dump on someone, dump on the superintendents. Who, in Marion County, meet regularly to drink the Kool Aid and agree on their unified message to the legislature or public. Their diatribe in the just-completed legislative session was remarkably inept. Too many central office administrators, that’s the real problem with public education. And there isn’t a breath of fresh air among them…they all preach the same old tired gosdpel they preached 30 years ago.
Every damned one of them would crash and burn in a classroom in front of 30 hungry minds.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:30 am
If you want lawmakers to be more accountable, don’t let them choose the voters they want in their districts. A non-legislative redistricting commission would produce districts that are more competetive. The most arrogant, least responsive, and ideologically extreme legislators tend to come from districts where the incumbent does not fear re-election.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Rep. Mike Young acknowledged yesterday, during a radio interview, that many owners in “older neighborhoods” (like Broad Ripple & Meridian Kessler which he specifically mentioned) are going to pay HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES UNDER THIS “RELIEF PLAN” in addition to a sales tax increase and month’s old increase in Marion County’s option income tax.
Considering the frame of reference, “relief” is government oriented rather than citizen defined, and there’s the problem. If the people bringing us “relief” have to spend paragraphs to explain it; it’s something other than “relief.”
Any relief that this session is finally over, will fade fast as Marion County citizens become aware they are paying a “gotcha bill” in May AFTER THE PRIMARY, and the higher for many, spring & fall bills are going to be combined and due around Thanksgiving AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION. See any theme here? Ain’t we lucky to have such dedicated, self-serving, public servants?
The upcoming primaries are key and it’s very important that we begin the process of flipping seats, for years to come, until those in them are no longer familiar to west end, Market Street lobbyists.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Amen on Lobbyist Reform. Remember Senator Riegsecker(R) in November. He killed a lobbyist reform bill before it could ever reach a committe vote. Remember Senator Vi Simpson(D). I don’t always conur with her ideology, but had thought her earnest and devoted to the public, until she bristled at testimony harshly criticizing the transition from assembly-person to lobbyist.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I live in Meridian-Kessler and my tax bill has gone up %500 since 2003. If it does go up like Young says it will there will certainly be a revolution like none we’ve seen so far. We MUST do our home work and vote out the bad guys.
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REMEMBER NOVEMBER
March 18th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Jon your tax bill went up because someone sued the state and forced them to move towards a market value system. The implementation of this was horrible. The businesses were not paying their fair share. The inventory tax was phased out at the exact same time. They could have implemented this over time, but they kept putting it off and putting it off. Under the old system your property was depreciated based on its age. Since your Meridian Kessler house is old its tax liability was depreciated down to pretty much nothing.
Blame the jokers who didn’t have the courage to do it right the first time and gave business a free pass and passed the burden on to us. Don’t think they have solved anything. They just moved where they take it from your left pocket to the right pocket.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Hey Josh, believe me I’ve lived with this from the day the final decision from that law suit came down and saw it coming the whole time. We just never thought in a million years that we would get hit as hard as we did. I know some people think we deserved it but don’t think for minute that just because we live in this neighborhood we can afford that much of a tax increase. Not many of us can take that big of hit, not me anyway. You would not believe how bad our assessment, and everyone else’s in this neighborhood is. Honestly, I don’t think anyone in government is smart enough to fix the problem, it is that broken. So, the only real answer is to repeal property taxes and get rid of all the assessors and eliminate the problem.