Budget Battle Lines (Part Two)
Indiana Lawmakers continue to chime in on the state’s current budget situation. Here are some of their positions..
Republican State Senator Luke Kenley
- While he opposes tapping into the state’s savings account, the real wild card in all this the federal economic stimulus package. He says the stimulus could create another dynamic however lawmakers need to realize any money from the federal level is temporary and should not be used for long term on-going programs.
- The tax caps are working and he doesn’t see how lawmakers could adjourn without passing tax caps and getting them closer to a vote to put them into the state constitution.
Republican State Representative Brian Bosma
- The state needs to tighten its belt and protect its reserves. By dipping into savings now the state may come up short later.
- Local governments should use this opportunity to become more creative in delivering services. Also schools should look for ways to transfer more money from the administration to the classroom to make up for any shortfall.
Democratic State Senator John Broden
- The state should tap into its reserves and use the funds for capital projects which will create jobs.
- Although not many local governments showed up to appeal property tax caps, that doesn’t mean many of them will won’t show up in the future. In addition, local governments will soon feel a serious financial pinch due to falling home prices.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I’m wavering on the Rainy Day Fund…I was around many years ago, and heard then-Gov. Orr describe the circumstances under which this fund should be tapped.
If he were alive and could be morphed to 2009, it was exactly the situation we’re facing today. Massive federal deficits, war, crashing federal economy, need to create infrastructure jobs. A sad littany, but true.
That doesn’t mean I favor tapping into it. IF we do, it should be for very-defined purposes, with a highly-transparent scorecard…no Christmas Tree Bill.
To questions, though, Abdul, for you or readers: how much is in the Fund, and how much is contributed annually? And: when is the last time we tapped it, for how much, and what purpose? I guess technically that’s five questions…
Thanks to any who can answer those inquiries. I’m not saying I’m in favor of tapping into it yet, but, we should have explicit criteria for doing so, and if those rules aren’t written, they should be…
January 7th, 2009 at 10:45 am
*two
January 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am
The unfortunate & destructive trend in government is the addition of layers (morbidly proportioned, bureaucratic bloat), by excuse & devoid purpose (public safety); the cost of which is demanded (increasing taxes & fees) from citizens (authentic job creators & productive employees of the FREE MARKET ECONOMY). Hear the voice of former Colts Coach Mora who instead of exclaiming “playoffs” at a post game press conference, is instead yelling “Tax Caps! You wanna talk about Tax Caps!…” When exactly, did fairy tailed tax caps, substantially lower property tax bills in Marion County, and by how much on a $100K home (for example) or on a per thousand basis? Many owners have been re-re-re-assessed & had their most recent, third party value opinion on the history of market value (assessment) which is other than market value (TRANSACTION), seemingly decided (signed off on) & now rejected back to the county assessor who doesn’t trust the work done by other public employees who work or once did, for the township. Folks in government need to pull their heads out of… the sand, and acknowledge that “stimulus” will only come when the underemployed, under-engaged, poser referees (bureaucrats) leaving the floor (free market) and letting the players (citizens) play the game THEY KNOW HOW TO PLAY. Once again hear Coach Mora saying “Programs! You want to talk about programs!” Translation (with attr. to Abdul’s Grandfather): PAY ATTENTION DA & GTF OUT OF THE WAY!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Asking school administrators to “redirect” part of their benefits/earnings to the classroom.
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Might as well ask the legislators to forego their per diems and health insurance to redirect the monies into infrastrucure renewal.
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Conclusion = Ain’t happenin’ voluntarily.
January 7th, 2009 at 11:07 am
TA,
There’s $1.3 billion in the fund which was created over the past few years.
R’s say it was done through good fiscal management.
D’s say it was done on the backs of local government.
Pick your position. :-)
January 7th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Abdul, I find it interesting that you quote both Sen. Kenley and Rep. Bosma from the R side. While i have a high amount of respect for both men I find their views on local government valid but interesting for two reasons.
1. Bosma is the attorney for Clay Township which was the bond funding arm of the Central Park project in Carmel which is a good example of spending not needed.
2. Sen. Kenley is from Noblesville where we are voting on a school referendum this week to spend $58 million on construction including a $6 million dollar health club in the high school all based on out of date enrollement projections.
My only question is why are these two not standing up and yelling in their own communities and in their jobs to stop the spending?
Peace.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Dawg just hit the ball out of the park. These legislators have no scruples sometimes…and that’s a bipartisan thing.
There’s something for everyone in Dave’s ramblings. And I do mean EVERYone.
Abdul…the Raindy Day Fund has been around a l ot longer than that, but if that’s the balance, to be it. Thanks.
Seems to me we ought to have enough money there to cover three or four payrolls, plus a cushion for Unemployment Insurance Fund.
I could be wrong, but I think that would cover the whole balance you’ve quoted.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Article XIII of the Indiana Constitution already has property tax cap in it. And,both political parties ignore it.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Typical democrats just can’t wait to get their hands on spending this money. They will want it for more programs and to throw more money at the failing public school system never demanding accountability.
Hold the line Mitch-just say no! The real workig, taxpaying citizens will thank you.
If they force you into spending the rainy day fund they will be the first to blame you for squandering it, using that against you next election.
If this government is so concerned about money, how about elimination of spending on ILLEGAl immigrants free services. auditing and streamlining all department of government, elimination of nonessential programs.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Any organization worth its existance would always have a rank listing of expenses with the least important positioned at the bottom. Only in this way can people make an informed decision as to how much cutting is too much, and when it is absolutely necessary to reach into a surplus fund. Always, but always, the first cry out of the politicians mouth is that to cut further would be to reduce public safety, or to take food out of the mouths of the less fortunate. Sorry. For this citizen that does not cut it without a full review of all expenses. I don’t know crap about what public expenses can be cut, but would be willing to bet that at least 30% could be hit without hurting citizens, other than those who are hanging on for dear life at the public trough. And for me, there are probably more at the upper income level hanging around the trough to protect their handouts than those of lesser means. Eventually this will self correct, but god what a price we will pay.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
The difference is, Think Again, that Dems don’t demand scruples of their Democrat, elected officials. In fact, the most unscrupulous are rewarded and promoted.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Rico, while it pains me to say it, our Republican leaders have shown the same weaknesses. Real character and integrity shows when they deal with issues BEFORE they become public. Almost all deal with them only AFTER they are made public. I have come to the conclusion that it (elected officialdom) is the right of only a few…and well protected. They are called Republicans and Democrats. Names like Bush, Kennedy, Biden, Carson, etc. etc. etc. Call them the time honored “gang of thieves” that we, the public, vote and pay homage.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Why pepetuate madness? Can everybody afford a house? Should everyone be a parent that wants to? Should giant corporations in banking and finance be self-policing? Can Democracy flourish where there has been none for hundreds and hundreds of years? I have ideals, aspirations, and compassion like most people. However, I believe our American psyche has gone off the road to positively delusional, as a downside of our prolonged affluence. Do we even have the capability to reattain common sense, when every front page of the paper screams we must? I don’t know.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Rico, such broad brush statements invite mew to recall just as many Republicans guilty of the same thing, or worse.
Greg is right. The township trustees, for example, have two lobbyists. The chief duty of trusteees is poor relief, inefficiently delivere,d but it takes tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars funneled to those Ice Miller lobbyists to convine legislators to keep this antiquated system going.
Lunches at Skyline help convince the wayward legislators.
One thing should stop now: lobbyists who are paid with taxpayer dollars. It’s insane. Ask IPS how much they pay their lobbyist, to prop up a sadly deficient system that cannot graduate at a 30% clip.
It just gets crazier all the time.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Another excellent example where we “contribute” own own money to kick our own tail for a massive government endeavor that defies logic: Paid school lobbyists, grifting for dollars we really don’t have, to pepetuate (in the case of IPS), a school system that will never function with the abysmal parenting we societally permit. You want to really fix the problems, with societal expectations of responsible parenting, only spending money we have, and bipartisan cooperative sacrifice by all citizens? Naw, that would make too much sense.
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I’m going to keep calling, writing, and volunteering at my kid’s schools. But, I’m dreaming of more realistic leadership from those in positions of power.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Kenley the Hilljack was the legislature’s leader on the new Colts stadium. His word on fiscal matters is akin to a crack addict’s take on whether to buy more crack or not. Why, of course ! Spend the money !
January 8th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Generally, the Dems circle the wagons around their scumbags while the republicans force theirs out. I’m speaking more on a national level, so please forgive the generalization.
January 8th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Just name ONE of these crooks who is legislating for the interest of the citizen taxpayers. If revenues(income) are down, why don’t the membeers of the “Washington Street Rocket Science Club” take a 10-15 % paycut to help balance the budget. ?
January 8th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Rico, again you over-generalize, to your discredit.
Witness: Dan Burton, Saxby Chambliss, Sarah Palin, that clown Chip running for GOP chairman, Bob Garton, and on and on…like the City Council members who work for the city and somehow justify staying on the council, or direct legla biz their firm’s way…
Dan is a skirt-chasing dimwit; Saxby shamelessly discredited a double-amputee Vietnam vet who had the nerve to run against him, calling him unpatriotic; Sarah violated state ethics rules pursuing an ex-brother-in-law, and she needed a Brinks truck to clothe her; Garton double-dipped at a no-show (or “little” show) Ivy Tech job while Senate president for two decades…
It’s about power, how they get it and keep it. I’ve never beleived in term limits, but I’m starting to turn around. Nothing else seems to work for these career dumbskulls, after they redistrict and fund-raise themselves into lifetime appointments.
January 9th, 2009 at 9:03 am
O,k. so the Guv. doesn’t want to tap into Indiana’s money reserve until there is an emergency. My question is this: if a near Depression is not an emergency, then what is the true definition of an economic emergency?
January 10th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Same take on term limits. Theoretically: Aborrent. Practically: Necessity.