TEAM HAMMOND TAXPAYERS' GROUP

Happy Holidays!

2011-11-28T16:05:00.001-06:00

Team Hammond will be taking a break for the Holidays. There will be no meetings in November or December.

The next regular meeting will be the last Tuesday in January, 2012.

Rittenmeyer On Ethics in Local Government

2011-10-24T17:42:00.000-05:00

October Team Hammond Meeting

Guest Speaker: Shared Ethics Advisory Commission
DENNIS RITTENMEYER

ETHICS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Tuesday, October 25
6:30 PM Meet and Greet --- 7 PM Program
Everyone is invited -- Bring a friend

NOTE THE NEW LOCATION
Community room of the Main Branch of
Hammond Public Library
564 State Street, Hammond, IN
(Across the street from All Saints Church)

Mike Repay On How Government Works -- or Doesn't Work!

2011-09-22T13:14:00.002-05:00

Mike Repay, newly elected Lake County Councilman will bring his unique view and experience in government work to the next Team Hammond Taxpayers Group meeting for an open discussion on what makes government work -- and what does not work.

He also will bring the new Lake County Government Budget for 2012, and will be available to answer questions on where our money goes when it heads off to Lake County government.

The meeting will be held in a new location -- the Hayward Branch of the Hammond Public Library. The date is Tuesday, September 27. Meet and Greet is at 6:30 PM, the meeting will start promptly at 7 PM.

Cid to be Speaker for August Team Hammond Meeting

2011-08-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid will be the guest speaker at the Tuesday August 30 Team Hammond Taxpayers Group meeting. Councilwoman Cid will address the issue of "Cutting the County Budget: a work in progress"

The meeting will be held Tuesday, August 30. Meet and Greet is at 6:30 PM; the program will begin promptly at 7 PM. The meeting will be held in the Community room of the Main Branch of Hammond Public Library, 564 State Street, Hammond, IN

Please note this is a new meeting location for Team Hammond.

Conservancy District Information

2011-06-22T12:48:00.001-05:00

There will be a special informational meeting Thursday evening June 24 on the proposed Conservancy District plan. Team Hammond is joining with other groups to provide this chance to get your questions on the controversial proposal answered. The meeting will be held at Lincoln’s restaurant in Highland from 6:30 to 9 PM.

Also there will be an important public discussion of the Conservancy Distict plan at the Hammond City Council meeting on Monday night, June 26.

The meeting in Highland, at Lincoln’s Restaurant 2813 Highway avenue will be your chance to get questions answered, so you can make up your mind and speak your piece at the Hammond City Council meeting. (Lincoln's restaurant is just north of Ridge road, and a little east of Kennedy ave)

Just a reminder - there will be no regular Team Hammond Meeting in June or July. The regular meetings will resume in August.

For more info on the conservancy district or team Hammond meetings, call 678-6761.

May General Meeting

2011-05-26T14:35:00.002-05:00

The May general meeting of Team Hammond Taxpayers Group will be Tuesday evening May 30 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church. Meet and Greet will begin at 6:30, the meeting will begin at 7 PM.

The subject will be Hammond's Casino money-- where does it come from and where does it go?

Candidates Night at April Meeting

2011-04-19T16:51:00.003-05:00

The April meeting of Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group will be Tuesday evening, April 26 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church at 7230 Northcote in Hammond.

Candidates running in the May 3 Primary are invited for an open forum. Depending on how many candidates come, time will be allotted for each candidate to make a brief statement, followed by an open forum for those attending to ask questions.

Come meet and talk to those seeking to guide Hammond into the next era.

Meet and Greet at 6:30, open forum will begin at 7 PM.

March Team Hammond Meeting

2011-03-24T14:47:00.001-05:00

Team Hammond Taxpayers Group will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, March 29, at the Woodmar United Methodist Church at 7320 Northcote in Hammond.

The program will be in two parts. First a presentation on how to be a Hammond citizen watchdog, and learni to follow where and how your tax money is spent.

The second part of the program will take advantage of the non-partisan makeup of Team Hammond, with both Republican and Democrat candidates attending. A moderated forum will ask citizens to tell candidates How To Make Hammond Better.

Meet and greet with candidates will begin at 6:30; the program begins at 7 PM.

"February" meeting planned for March 1

2011-02-20T22:41:00.003-06:00

The Primary election in Hammond promises to be very exciting. Several Team Hammond regulars have filed to run for office.

Because this is a very busy time, we are rescheduling the February meeting for Tuesday March 1. The meeting will be held at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote in Hammond. Meet and Greet at 6:30, meeting at 7.

This meeting will be very important -- we will be discussing plans for the new year, including the questions of what issues Team Hammond wants to address in the coming Legislative agenda.

With Better Government a highlight of our mission, we will also be discussing how best to achieve that in the coming year, especially with the important elections on the horizon.

Hope to see you all there!

Questions to Bosma focus on education

2011-01-27T12:04:00.003-06:00

Indiana house speaker addressed 100 people in town hall meeting at IPFW.

By Bob Caylor
of The News-Sentinel

Brian Bosma, the speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, came to Fort Wayne to hear what people think, and he found they’re thinking about education. Nearly all the questions he fielded during a two-hour town hall meeting Wednesday night at IPFW pertained to charter schools, vouchers or funding for public schools.

Bosma, an Indianapolis Republican, spoke for a few minutes before he took questions. In that time, he outlined the top priorities the General Assembly faces.

Topping the list, of course, is squaring spending with estimated revenues over the next two years. “We have a 2011 budget with 2005 state revenues,” he told more than 100 attendees. They filled all the chairs in three joined meeting rooms, packed open spaces to standing room only, and listened in an adjoining lounge and hallways. Bosma said revenues had never dropped to levels of six years ago, “not even during the Depression.”

Since both parties agree they won’t raise taxes to make ends meet, the answer is that most schools, social service agencies and other state-funded entities must “continue to do more with less,” he said.

Other top priorities this year include passing education reform, encouraging economic recovery (including finding a way to support unemployment insurance), redrawing legislative districts in line with 2010 census findings and bringing a return to civil debate in the legislature, Bosma said.

In answering the first question, Bosma affirmed his support for some mix of measures that will promote charter schools or possibly other alternatives to public schools.

“We need to give parents as many options as possible,” he said. That might include making it easier for school boards or groups of parents to start charter schools.

A more extreme measure – a “nuclear option,” Bosma said – would be enabling parents to get a portion of the funding used for their children in public schools if they move their children to nonpublic schools.

Many in the audience were teachers and let Bosma know they have strong qualms about making it easier to pull funding from public schools. The best-known of those who urged Bosma to be cautious was Mark GiaQuinta, president of the Fort Wayne Community Schools board.

“The biggest threat to educating kids the way we all want to educate them is getting to them early enough,” he told Bosma. Peeling more resources away from public school systems will make it even more difficult to provide exemplary early education for children, he said.

Team Hammond General Meeting

2011-01-24T10:14:00.001-06:00

The first Team Hammond meeting of the New Year will be on Tuesday, January 25 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church at 7320 Northcote. Meet andGreet at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7 PM

Now that the property tax caps are in place, we will be starting to put together the agenda for 2011. The Indiana State legislature has an ambitious agenda that includes many issues that will affect communities like Hammond.

School reform is a key issue. Redistricting of course will be a big issue, as will local government issues that could eliminate or significantly change the function of townships. Another issue near and dear to the hearts of those in Lake County will be the governor’s initiative to curb nepotism.

THe primary election in May and the general electionn in November will mean lots of discussion of candidates and issues.

Plan to come to the meeting on Tuesday Jan. 25 and help Team Hammond plan their direction for the new year.

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

2010-09-20T10:25:00.003-05:00

The Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group will hold a general meeting on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Aaron Smith of Watchdog Indiana who will speak on the tax caps referendum in November. Watchdog Indiana is a non-profit, non-connected and non-party advocate for good government that focuses on the state and local tax burden of Hoosier working families.

Everyone is invited to attend and become informed on the issue of placing the tax caps in the Indiana Constitution. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

INSTALLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

2010-06-25T23:47:00.003-05:00

The Board of Trustees for the School City of Hammond will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Administration Center at 41 Williams Street.

George Janiec will be sworn in as the newest school board member. He replaces Albertine Dent, who was voted out in the May 4 election and served as school board trustee for the past 16 years.

Come show your support for George by attending the meeting on July 1, 2010.

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

2010-06-25T23:21:00.003-05:00

The next general membership meeting for Team Hammond will be on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet n' greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the membership meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

The evening's focus will be on the tax caps, the November referendum, and Team Hammond's position on placing the tax caps in the Indiana Constitution.

Anyone interested in good government and property tax reform is invited to attend. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

NORTH TWP. TRUSTEE MRVAN TO SPEAK AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2010-05-18T23:30:00.003-05:00

Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group will hold their next general meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2o1o at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 with the forum to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Guest speaker for the evening will be North Township Trustee Frank J. Mrvan. Trustee Mrvan will explain the role and responsibility of township government. He will also speak on the 2010 Indiana State legislative session and possible legislation to abolish township government.

Team Hammond meetings are open to anyone interested in property tax reform and good government. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON MAY 4

2010-05-03T12:01:00.004-05:00

Alot of people don't like to vote in the May primary because they have to declare a party. And we agree with them. It is time for Indiana to switch to an open primary which would encourage more people to come out and vote. With an open primary, you could vote for Republican, Democrat and Independent candidates without being forced to stick to one party. It would encourage new candidates to file and run. Competition is good for the soul.

Why should you vote in tomorrow's primary? Because there are important elections being held; namely, school board.

In Hammond, the school city's budget is actually more than the civil city's budget. That's equates to alot of your hard-earned dollars.

Are you happy with the direction the school city is taking?

If you were a family with young children looking to purchase a home for the first time, would you move to Hammond?

Did you know the State of Indiana is taking over Hammond High next year because they have been a failing school for the past four years?

Are you aware the school city is in debt to the tune of $450 million dollars? That is more than all of the taxing units in Vanderburgh County which includes the city of Evansville. Tack on a new high school and you're looking at debt of more than half a billion dollars.

New buildings do not improve test scores. If that were the case, test scores at Eggers Middle School would be through the roof because Eggers has been rebuilt twice.

Two of the incumbents (Tina Dent and Debbie White) have been on the school board for 12 years. Is the school city any better off than they were 12 years ago? The answer is no.

So tomorrow, you have two choices. If you think everything is fine in the Hammond schools, vote for the incumbents. If you think things are not fine, vote for new leadership and give someone else the opportunity to try and turn things around.

Vote tomorrow and do it for the students of Hammond. Their future depends on it.

CANDIDATES' NIGHT FORUM

2010-04-22T23:22:00.009-05:00

The Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group will sponsor a Candidates' Night Forum on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet n' greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the forum to begin at 7:00 p.m.

The forum will include candidates for the Lake County Council from the 1st and 5th Districts, candidates for State Representative from the 1st, 11th, and 12th Districts, and candidates for Hammond School Board Trustees.

Each candidate will make a statement of their positions on key issues followed by a brief question-and-answer session. State representative candidates will go first, followed by Lake County Council candidates and ending with School Board candidates. Candidates will be invited to remain after the forum for additional informal conversation.

The primary is Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The candidates' forum is the voters' opportunity to get to know the candidates and make an informed choice on election day.

For more information, contact Jim Sheehan at 844-1417.

TEAM HAMMOND CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT FOR HAMMOND SCHOOL BOARD

2010-02-19T18:43:00.003-06:00

Team Hammond members George Janiec and Elizabeth Kurella are on the ballot for Hammond School Board Trustee in the upcoming May 4th primary. There are 3 trustee positions up for election.

George and Elizabeth will be running against incumbents Albertine Dent, Deborah White, and Lucinda Murphy.

Budget cuts and whether or not to build a new Hammond High School will be several of the issues facing the candidates in this election.

The outcome of this year's school board elections will have a great impact on the school system. It is important to get out and vote this May 4th.

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

2010-02-19T18:40:00.003-06:00

The next Team Hammond meeting will be this coming Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Items on the agenda will include an update on the 2010 Indiana legislative session, city and county council meetings, the Hammond school board meeting, and the upcoming May primary.

Anyone interested in fiscally responsible government is welcome to attend. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

SENATE APPROVES SWEEPING REDISTRICTING REFORMS

2010-01-28T22:58:00.004-06:00

GOP bills would establish objective guidelines, bipartisan review of other states' best practices

Lawmakers today approved Senate Republicans' sweeping redistricting reforms establishing objective guidelines for creating legislative and congressional districts after the 2010 census and requiring an in-depth bipartisan review of redistricting best practices used by states.

"In the past, there has been little guidance in either the Indiana law or the Indiana Constitution regarding redistricting," said Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville), author of the legislation. "These new objective principles will be very helpful to lawmakers in constructing new legislative and congressional districts next session and beyond."

Lawson said Senate Bill 80, which passed by a vote of 47-1, will require lawmakers to consider the following factors when drawing future districts:

• Preservation of traditional neighborhoods;
• Preservation of local communities of interests;
• Protection of minority voting rights;
• Simply-shaped, compact districts; and
• Respect for county and precinct lines.

Senators also voted 45-3 to approve legislation creating an in-depth bipartisan study of best practices of other states. Senate Bill 136, co-authored by Lawson, would establish the Redistricting Study Committee and task the panel with examining ways to improve the redistricting process including proposals to establish an independent commission to draw legislative and congressional district boundaries.

"This committee will openly discuss what is and is not working among the other 49 states' redistricting efforts," Lawson said. "I believe it's important we take the time to allow Hoosiers the opportunity to share their thoughts on the redistricting process so we can make a decision that best serves them in the future."

SB 80 and SB 136 now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

From Indiana Senate
01/28/10

IT'S UP TO THE VOTERS NOW

2010-01-21T11:12:00.004-06:00

On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, Hoosier voters will decide in a referendum whether or not they want the property tax caps placed in the Indiana Constitution.

The Senate voted 35-15 on Tuesday to approve the tax caps; the House approved the caps on January 12, 2010. With both legislatures approving the measure, the way is now paved for the
voter referendum in November. The referendum requires a majority to make the caps permanent and place them in the Constitution.

Four Senators from Northwest Indiana voted against making the caps permanent: Senator Karen Tallian, Ogden Dunes; Senator Lonnie Randolph, East Chicago; Senator Earline Rogers, Gary; and Senator Jim Arnold, LaPorte.

Senator Tallian voted against making the caps permanent because she feels they aren't a good solution to the property tax mess. Senator Rogers also voted no. She feels it's too premature to make the caps permanent because the full effects of the caps haven't been felt yet.

If voters approve the referendum, property tax rates would be capped at 1% for owner-occupied homes, 2% for rental properties and farmland and 3% for business and industrial properties. To pay off county debt, however, taxpayers in Lake and St. Joseph Counties will be charged at a rate above the cap until 2019.

Property taxes have impacted most Hoosiers throughout the state; some counties have been hit harder than others. It should be up to the voters to decide whether or not the caps should be made permanent and just how much government they can live with and live without.

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

2010-01-19T23:35:00.001-06:00

The next Team Hammond general meeting will be Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue. Meet and greet begins at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Items on the agenda include property tax caps, elimination of townships, House Bill 1001 (lobbying reform) and updates on city and county council meetings and the Hammond school board meeting.

Any interested in property tax reform and good government are welcome to attend. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

2010-01-19T23:30:00.000-06:00

SAY NO TO SENATE BILL 309

2010-01-19T23:26:00.001-06:00

The Indiana Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee has a public hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 21, at 9:00 AM, on Senate Bill 309.

SB 309 is best identified as Business-As-Usual-Bill #1 because it is the first General Assembly bill to increase homeowner property taxes to have a public hearing scheduled since the 2008 property tax reform program.

Please contact your State Representative and State Senator to let them know that you oppose BAUB #1. Information on how to identify and contact your State Representative and State Senator can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/general_assembly_ratings.htm.

The property tax reform program passed by the General Assembly in 2008 will lower 2010 total property taxes $610.6 million and 2011 total property taxes $534.0 million when compared to the 2007 statewide total property tax burden. The portion of the total property tax savings that will be enjoyed by homesteads is $457.4 million in 2010 and $401.9 million in 2011. The total combined $1.1446 billion property tax savings comes from two property tax reform categories.

1. The 1% - 2% - 3% property tax caps will provide $953.6 million of the combined $1.1446 billion in 2010 and 2011 total property tax savings. The 1% homestead property tax cap will provide $249.6 million of the combined $859.3 million in homestead property tax savings. This property tax reform category would be protected by passage of the constitutional amendment that is expected to be on the ballot this November.

2. The remaining $609.7 million in 2010 and 2011 homestead property tax savings comes mostly from the 35% supplemental homestead deduction, the state assumption of school general fund expenditures, and the qualified senior homestead credit. The state assumption of school general fund expenditures will help provide property tax savings for other property classes. This property tax reform category is susceptible to erosion by the General Assembly.

BAUB #1 will increase 2010 and 2011 statewide total property taxes $116.5 million by allowing the limit on school corporation expenditures from the capital projects fund for utility services and property and casualty insurance to increase from 3.5% to 6% of the 2005 school formula revenue. BAUB #1, which is authored by State Senator Ron Alting (Lafayette), will increase homestead property taxes $35.4 million statewide.

The state has assumed MOST school general fund expenditures, while school capital project funds get their revenue from property taxes. There has been a LOOPHOLE the past several years where school capital project funds are used to help pay for the school general fund expenditures of utility services and property and casualty insurance. BAUB #1 will make this property tax LOOPHOLE bigger.

Instead of increasing the LOOPHOLE limit, school corporations should be encouraged to find more efficient ways of handling their general fund expenditures such as insurance pools for purchasing property and casualty insurance. ALSO, allowing BAUB #1 to pass would encourage school corporations to further abuse the integrity of their capital project funds by trying to include additional general fund expenses such as maintenance and health insurance expenses.

Informed Hoosier taxpayers must insist that their General Assembly public servants oppose the property tax abuse in BAUB #1.

From Watchdog Indiana

HOUSE BILL 1001: LOBBYISTS AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

2010-01-18T17:16:00.001-06:00

TAXPAYER FRIENDLY

STATUS: HB 1001 was passed by the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee 9-0 on December 16, 2009.

TESTIMONY - December 16, 2009 - House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee:

HB 1001 can be evaluated from two vantage points: (1) will the actions of lobbyists and contractors to affect government outcomes become more transparent, and (2) will ordinary citizens have a better chance to affect government outcomes.

HB 1001 is Taxpayer Friendly because it will INDEED make more transparent the actions of lobbyists and contractors to affect government outcomes. The nineteen Taxpayer Friendly provisions of HB 1001 are listed next.

1. The minimum reportable amount for the total daily gifts to a legislator or legislative employee given by a registered lobbyist is reduced from $100 to $50.

2. The minimum reportable amount for a single gift received by a legislator or legislative candidate is reduced from $100 to $50.

3. An individual who holds a state elected office and ceases to hold the state office after June 30, 2010, may not be registered as a lobbyist for 365 days after expiration of the term of office.

4. An individual who holds a position in the executive branch appointed by the Governor (other than a special state appointee) and who ceases to hold that appointment after June 30, 2010, may not be registered as a lobbyist for 365 days after ceasing to hold the appointive position.

5. A member of the General Assembly may not be registered as a lobbyist for 365 days after ceasing to be a member of the General Assembly.

6. The Governor and Governor candidate committees may not solicit campaign contributions, accept campaign contributions, and conduct other fundraising activities during the long session of the General Assembly and during the day before, the day of, and the day after each organization day.

7. Legislators may not solicit campaign contributions, accept campaign contributions, and conduct other fundraising activities during the long session of the General Assembly beginning in January.

8. Persons with contracts with state government, or who bid on contracts with state government, and certain persons affiliated with the contractors and bidders may not make political contributions to an individual who holds a state office or is a candidate for a state office.

9. State employees in the executive branch who have purchasing or procurement authority may not solicit political contributions unless the soliciting individual is a candidate for public office.

10. If a candidate or a candidate’s committee receives a contribution from a person who is prohibited from making a contribution, then they are required to pay an amount equal to the value of the contribution to the Election Division within 30 days of receiving the contribution.

11. The Election Commission shall assess a civil penalty equal to the greater of two times the amount of any prohibited contributions received, or $1,000.

12. Persons with contracts with state government, or who bid on contracts with state government, must register with the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA).

13. The IDOA must make the information about state contractor registrants available in a searchable database on the IDOA’s web site.

14. State contractor registrants must notify their affiliated persons that they are registered.

15. A civil penalty of not more than $1,000 may be assessed for each business day that a person knowingly or intentionally fails to update a state contractor registration, fails to provide material information on a registration, or states false information on a registration. These penalties are in addition to any investigative costs incurred.

16. Contractors or bidders who violate the registration statutes may be found nonresponsible and have their contracts voided.

17. State officers, employees, and appointees in the executive branch may not accept inherently incompatible outside employment.

18. The Inspector General must create procedures for the issuance of advisory opinions granting approval for certain state employees to have outside employment.

19. If state contractors recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally make prohibited contributions, then they commit a Class B misdemeanor.

Special note should be made of the HB 1001 provisions that keep those who hold a state elected office and a position in the executive branch from joining the lobbyist ranks before a year goes by after they leave their office or position. The public good is NOT served if a public servant is using his current government influence as part of a lobbyist job application.

Special note should also be made of the HB 1001 provisions that keep persons affiliated with state government contractors and bidders, and executive branch employees who have purchasing or procurement authority, from making or soliciting political contributions for state office candidates. These provisions help prevent an egregious potential abuse that has not received a lot of public attention.

The "conflict of interest" provisions in the bill should be deleted. It should be the responsibility of a client to determine if a prospective lobbyist representing other clients involves a conflict of interest.

It is hoped that the legislative gift reports that include the lowered $50 minimum reportable amount will be made accessible online in a searchable database.

Because they require a change of heart rather than legal remedy, HB 1001 cannot be expected to lessen the obstacles to ordinary citizen Statehouse influence that are listed next.

(1) Ordinary citizens will have no greater success in getting face-to-face meetings with their Governor and General Assembly leaders to discuss important legislative matters.

(2) Ordinary citizens will have no greater success in getting their Governor and General Assembly leaders to take their phone calls about important legislative matters.

(3) Ordinary citizens will have no greater success in knowing whether or not their Governor and General Assembly leaders have read their letters and E-mails about important legislative matters.

(4) Ordinary citizens will continue to not have the same time as lobbyists to make their points during public hearings.

In conclusion, HB 1001 is Taxpayer Friendly because it will make more transparent the actions of lobbyists and contractors to affect government outcomes. However, HB 1001 will not lessen the obstacles to ordinary citizens trying to influence the decisions made at their Statehouse. On balance, HB 1001 represents a step forward in open governance and should be passed out of this Committee.

From Watchdog Indiana

TOP 18 REASONS TO SUPPORT CONSTITUTIONAL PROPERTY TAX CAPS

2010-01-07T22:11:00.004-06:00

1. Property tax relief will not disappear.

A recent example of how property tax relief CAN disappear is the 20% statewide sales tax increase that was imposed by Indiana's General Assembly effective December 1, 2002. Hoosiers were told by their General Assembly public servants that the sales tax increase from 5% to 6% would be used to lower homeowner property taxes by an average of 16.3%. Starting in 2003 and continuing through 2007, seventeen legislative and administrative actions taken by the Governor and General Assembly, together with increased local government spending, decreased the promised 16.3% homeowner property tax relief to just 2.4%. Details of this disappearing property tax relief can be found at http://finplaneducation.net/betrayal_incompetence.htm.

The General Assembly once again increased the statewide sales tax from 6% to 7% on April 1, 2008, to pay for another round of property tax relief. This latest property tax relief is based on the following legislative changes in the 2008 property tax relief bill: property tax caps based on assessed value, required referenda before the caps can be bypassed, $45,000 standard deduction from homestead assessments, 35% supplemental deduction from most homestead assessments, seniors homestead deduction, state assumption of seven property tax levies, local option income taxes for property tax levy replacement and relief, unelected governing body budgets approval. Full details regarding the 67 provisions in the 2008 property tax relief bill enacted by the General Assembly can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/2008_property_tax.htm.

According to the Statewide Property Tax Report from the Legislative Services Agency for the 68 counties for which data were available as of September 2009, Pay 2009 property taxes were lower than Pay 2007 property taxes for 95.5% of homeowners by an average of 32.2%. Homeowners received so much tax relief from homestead deductions that most were below the 1.5% cap (which becomes 1% in 2010). More rental housing owners got relief from their 2.5% cap (which becomes 2% in 2010) because much of this property is located in cities and towns where property tax rates were higher. Commercial, industrial, and utility real and personal property owners reached their 3.5% cap (which becomes 3% in 2010) only in those counties with particularly high tax rates. Agricultural property taxes increased due to a hike in the base rate of farmland from $880 per acre to $1,250 per acre, although the eliminated school general fund levy helped to limit the increase.

Largely because of General Assembly actions to accommodate single-interest groups, the promised homeowner property tax relief in 2003 had just about completely disappeared in 2007. The current property tax relief can also quickly disappear because every one of the provisions in the 2008 property tax relief bill is subject to erosion by the General Assembly and the operations of the market value assessment system. The farm and business lobbies are now pressuring state legislators to reduce the 35% supplemental homestead deduction, which is primarily responsible for the property tax relief currently being enjoyed by homeowners. Dramatic reductions in commercial property values (up to 40% in some areas of Indiana) will drive up property tax rates starting in 2010. In spite of the fact that individuals bear 85% of the sales tax burden that is supposed to pay for property tax relief, homeowner property tax relief is in jeopardy of once again disappearing.

According to the latest Indiana Handbook of Taxes, Revenue, and Appropriations, the Pay 2007 residential and agricultural homestead net property tax levy was $2,079,168,461 and net assessed value was $133,556,884,478. This means that in 2007 the average Indiana homeowner had a property tax burden that was 1.6% of assessed value. In addition, the Governor reported that 55% of 2007 homeowners had a property tax burden that was 1% or more of assessed value. These facts emphasize the importance of the 1% homeowner property tax cap that the 2008 property tax relief bill implements in 2010. The 1% property tax cap keeps the average homeowner property tax bill from returning to the 2007 level of 1.6% of assessed value. Even for those 80% of homeowners that paid less than 1% of their assessed value in property taxes in 2009 (according to estimates by the state's OMB), the 1% cap provides predictability and assurance that property taxes do not become an unaffordable burden.

The 1% homeowner property tax cap in the 2008 property tax relief bill is so important as a protection against disappearing property tax relief that it is included as part of a constitutional amendment in the identical bills House Joint Resolution 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 1. HJR 1 and SJR 1 must pass the State House of Representatives and State Senate respectively during the 2010 General Assembly session so voters statewide can decide by referendum on November 2, 2010, if the property tax caps are included in the Indiana Constitution. If the referendum passes, the property tax caps will become a permanent part of the Indiana Constitution where they cannot be changed by the General Assembly or court challenge.

2. Legislative-only property tax caps will not disappear.

Indiana General Assembly efforts to establish property tax caps have a short history.

(1) House Bill 1001, signed by the governor on March 24, 2006, established a property tax cap on homesteads, apartment complexes, and other residential rental property equal to 2% of the assessed value beginning in 2007 for Lake County and 2008 for all other counties. The 2% cap was to be extended to all other real and personal property in 2010.

(2) House Bill 1478, signed by the governor on May 11, 2007, virtually eliminated the property tax relief that the caps passed in 2006 were supposed to provide. The disappearing property tax relief came about because of the provisions listed next. (a) School general funds were exempted from the property tax caps - a school corporation’s local tuition support property tax levy could not be reduced because of revenue lost to the caps. (b) Redevelopment commissions and TIF governing bodies could exclude TIF replacement levies from the property tax caps. (c) The 2% cap would apply only to homesteads, instead of all residential property, in 2008 and 2009. (d) The cap that begins in 2010 for all other real and personal property increases to 3% from 2%. (e) A petition for relief (that would increase property tax bills in excess of the caps) could be submitted to the Circuit Breaker Appeal Board if a taxing unit loses at least 2% of annual property tax revenue to the caps.

(3) House Bill 1001, signed by the governor on March 19, 2008, replaced all prior property tax caps with the following caps on gross assessed value beginning in 2010: (a) 1% on homestead property; (b) 2% on other residential property (residential rentals, apartments, mobile home land, long term care facilities); (c) 2% on agricultural land; (d) 3% on other real property; (e) 3% on personal property. For 2009, these caps are phased in at 1.5% - 2.5% - 3.5%.

It is alarming how quickly the 2% property tax cap established in 2006 was pretty much wiped out by legislative betrayal the very next year! The 1% - 2% - 3% caps enacted by the General Assembly in 2008 must be enshrined in the state constitution to protect them from legislative repeal and legal challenge.

The 1% - 2% - 3% property tax caps are included as a constitutional amendment in Senate Joint Resolution 1 and House Joint Resolution 1, which are identical bills that must pass the State Senate and the State House of Representatives respectively during next year's General Assembly session so voters statewide can decide by referendum on November 2, 2010, if the property tax caps are included in the Indiana Constitution. If the referendum passes, the property tax caps will become a permanent part of the Indiana Constitution where they cannot be changed by the General Assembly or court challenge.

3. Farmers will be helped.

The 2008 property tax reform program is included House Bill 1001 and the constitutional amendment in the identical Senate Joint Resolution 1 and House Joint Resolution 1. The SJR 1 and HJR 1 constitutional amendment would make the 1% - 2% - 3% property tax caps permanent AND protect property tax deductions and credits from constitutional challenge.

Farmers have been ill-served by the Indiana Farm Bureau opposition to SJR 1 and HJR 1 because the 2008 property tax reform program helps farmers in the seven ways listed next.

(1) Like other homesteads, farm homes and the acre of land they sit on have their property tax cap lowered to 1% of their fair market value from 2%.

(2) Because farm land uses less of the municipal services normally paid for by property taxes, the cap for farm land is lowered to 2% from 3%.

(3) The remainder of farm business property taxes are capped at 3%, thereby creating a predictable maximum property tax burden. Average farm business property taxes will continue to be well below the 3% cap for the foreseeable future because the 2008 property tax reform program does not allow any property tax revenue shortfalls resulting from property tax caps to be shifted to taxpayer classes that have not reached their cap level.

(4) The 2005 agreement with the farm community continues where an assessment mechanism for farm land is implemented that, instead of using the fair market value required of all other real property owners, uses a market value in use approach based on changes in cash rent, yields, production costs, market prices, and interest rates. Starting with the Pay 2008 property tax year, farm land assessment calculations are based on a rolling six-year average calculated by dividing the net income of each acre by the appropriate capitalization rate. For example, the change in the farm land assessed value for the Pay 2010 property tax year was the result of the removal of the 2000 data and the addition of the 2006 data. The Pay 2007 farm land assessed value was arbitrarily frozen by the General Assembly at $880 per acre, while the subsequent calculated assessed values are $1,140 for Pay 2008, $1,200 for Pay 2009, and $1,250 for Pay 2010. An acre of farm land typically appraises at a fair market value of $4,200, and an acre of farm land in Hamilton County sells for up to $40,000.

(5) Like other Indiana businesses, Indiana farmers will continue to benefit from an accelerated depreciation schedule where farm equipment is fully depreciated within five years to 30 percent of its cost.

(6) Farmers will continue to benefit from sales tax exemptions on the sale of goods directly used in farming and on utility sales to a person for use in agriculture.

(7) The following costs are removed from local property taxes and transferred to the state: school general fund costs, child welfare levies, costs of juvenile incarceration in state facilities, state fair and forestry levies, hospital care for the indigent, pre-school special education levies, costs of certain police and fire pensions.

The importance of the 2008 property tax reform program to farmers is emphasized by comparing the increase in the value of farm land to the increase in the net property tax on agricultural business real property (which includes farm land). Farm land assessed value increased 36.4 percent from $880 per acre in 2007 to $1,200 in 2009. However, according to the December 1, 2009, Property Tax Impact Report from the Legislative Services Agency, the 2009 net property tax of $344.4 million on agricultural business real property was only 10.5 percent more than the 2007 net property tax of $311.7 million. The net property tax on agricultural business real property did not increase at the rate of the farm land assessed value increase because of the costs removed from the 2009 property tax bill by the 2008 property tax reform program.

In particular, the permanent property tax caps in SJR 1 and HJR 1 are important to the Hoosier farmer. Under the market value in use assessment mechanism with a 2% cap, farmers' property taxes will average 40 percent lower than if their farm lands were assessed at the fair market value and capped at 1%.

The key to any additional property tax relief for farmers depends on the possibility of credits or deductions on the assessed value of farm land. SJR 1 and HJR 1 make such credits and deductions immune to constitutional challenge. Farmers need to tell their Indiana Farm Bureau leaders to change their position of senseless obstruction and support SJR 1 and HJR 1.

The American taxpayer has been generous to farmers with various subsidies. Hoosier farmers should not begrudge the protection given to other Hoosier working families by the constitutional amendment in SJR 1 and HJR 1. Farmers are helped by the 2008 property tax reform program and should accordingly support SJR 1 and HJR 1.

4. There will be a more fair and affordable working family tax burden.

There are those who point out that the current property tax scheme, of which constitutional property tax caps are a part, will result in some Hoosiers paying more in statewide sales tax and local income tax increases than they receive in property tax relief. For those attuned to political reality, the proper response is "So what?" The terrible tax genie is out of the bottle – no informed citizen can envision a realistic circumstance where the statewide sales tax increase will be rescinded. If local income taxes go up to replace property taxes or replace the revenue lost to property tax caps, the tax burden is properly shifted away from property taxes to income taxes – from a tax NOT based on the ability to pay to a tax that IS based on the ability to pay.

Constitutional property tax caps are a type of "insurance policy" that protects working families from the possible future excesses of local government. Many local government has been taken over by developer-first interests where tax-increasing TIFs, nonsensical municipal annexations, and so-called development initiatives funded by taxpayers are forcing property tax burden ever higher. If push comes to shove, folks can change their buying habits to lessen their sales tax burden and use the property tax caps in SJR 1 to protect their home from the Taxpayer Unfriendly actions of local elected officials.

It is true that some municipalities in 17 counties may need to impose a local option income tax to maintain essential services. The caps cannot reasonably be expected to reduce the spending of some local governments by more than five percent. However, the HJR 1 and SJR 1 caps will make the property tax burden more predictable and the overall tax burden more fair and affordable. Fewer Hoosiers will have to choose between nutritious meals, needed medications, and keeping their home. Many working families may be one job loss, one on-the-job injury, or one illness away from needing permanently capped property taxes.

5. Homeowner property taxes will not leap up.

Some HJR 1 and SJR 1 opponents erroneously claim that the constitutional caps are useless because property tax relief depends on poorly controlled property tax assessments. Future homeowner reassessments will NOT continue to increase at the rate of recent years because ANNUAL market value trending will take the place of reassessments that covered several years at a time. In spite of currently declining home values, homeowner property tax assessments will likely CREEP UP over time, but these modest assessment increases BY THEMSELVES are NOT expected to cause homeowner property taxes to LEAP UP. Indeed, SJR 1 will KEEP homeowner property taxes from leaping up. Of course, it cannot be denied that effective legislative action to improve the assessment process, limit annual assessment increases, and establish a more sensible homestead definition would be MOST welcome.

6. Businesses will be helped.

SJR 1 is good for business. The property tax cap for all residential rentals, apartments, mobile home land, and long term care facilities is lowered to 2% of their value. The existing business property tax cap of 3% will never be increased, thereby enabling businesses to accurately predict their property taxes so they do not become an unaffordable burden.

7. Property tax revenue shortfalls resulting from property tax caps cannot be shifted to taxpayer classes that have not reached their cap level.

The property tax increase of a taxpayer who has not reached its cap threshold is limited by the 6-year rolling average growth in non-farm income.

8. Information is available to predict the effects of property tax caps.

The state's non-partisan Legislative Services Agency has computed the effects of caps on all Indiana taxing units.

9. The effect of property tax caps on K-12 school spending is manageable.

Of the 293 K-12 Indiana public school systems, 230 school systems will experience a 2010 property tax caps revenue decline that is less than 0.6% of their 2008 grand total expenditures. Fifty school systems will experience a 0.6% through 1.0% decline, while only thirteen school systems will experience a decline that is more than 1.0%. NO school system will have a 2010 property tax caps revenue decline that is more than 3.0% of its 2008 grand total expenditures.

10. Property tax caps will have NO significant impact on essential service delivery by the great majority of Indiana's cities and towns.

The great majority of Indiana's 566 cities and towns - 486 or 85.9% -will have their budgeted funds that include property tax levies impacted 5.0% or less by the 2010 caps. Of Indiana's 92 counties, 17 counties MAY need to consider a local option income tax in lieu of finding less expensive ways to maintain essential municipal services.

11. The Distressed Unit Appeals Board will not have unlimited ability to increase property taxes.

The Distressed Unit Appeals Board is a ticking property tax bomb. The bureaucrat and single interest dominated Appeals Board has the power to increase the property taxes of a distressed unit beyond the legislative 1% - 2% - 3% property tax caps. The HJR 1 and SJR 1 constitutional caps will make unconstitutional any Appeals Board decision that increases a political subdivision's property tax beyond the promised cap levels. Without SJR 1, there is no limit as to how much the Appeals Board can ultimately increase property taxes.

12. The property tax caps will be able to withstand legal challenge.

Last year’s legislative caps are blatantly unconstitutional without HJR 1 and SJR 1. The constitutional property tax caps must be passed to keep the deep-pocketed single interest groups from having the legislative caps eliminated by the courts.

13. The referendum process can be used to fund essential school and municipal services.

If local taxpayers are concerned about the effects of property tax caps on their local school system, current law allows them to approve by referendum funding and capital project increases that are not subject to the caps. Other government units can likewise have their capital projects approved by referendum.

14. Constitutional caps are a positive development for those who want to completely eliminate property taxes.

The HJR 1 and SJR 1 constitutional caps are a giant step in the right direction for those who favor complete property tax elimination by giving impetus to elimination efforts. For example, the Jeff Thompson Property Tax Replacement Plan includes a variable Property Tax Replacement LOIT that replaces the property tax revenue from all real property wholly owned by individuals residing within a local taxing area. Property taxes on real property can be replaced for all homeowners, many small businesses, and most farms within a local taxing area.

15. The homeowner caps for Lake and St. Joseph counties will eventually be 1% of assessed value.

We must not let the pursuit of perfection be the enemy of what is good. Some disingenuously assert that HJR 1 and SJR 1 should be revised because Lake and St. Joseph counties will start with different caps. Instead of 1%, the homeowner caps for Lake and St. Joseph counties will effectively be 1.88% and 1.52% respectively until 2020. Even though the beginning homeowner caps are more in Lake and St. Joseph counties, these caps will result in a 2010 property tax reduction of 36% for the typical Lake County working family and a 34% reduction for the typical St. Joseph County working family. If one word in HJR 1 and SJR 1 is changed, the constitution amendment process would have to start all over. Jeopardizing permanent property tax relief is not worth any effort to make HJR 1 and SJR 1 more perfect.

16. Property taxes can be controlled below the cap levels.

The HJR 1 and SJR 1 caps do NOT set farm land property taxes at twice the homestead level and business property taxes at three times the homestead level. The caps merely limit maximum property tax burden.

17. Indiana is NOT like California.

HJR 1 and SJR 1 opponents are trying to make the case that Proposition 13, which passed on June 6, 1978, is somehow responsible for the current budget deficit woes of California’s government units. There is research on all sides of Proposition 13 where you can find strong support both for and against constitutional property tax caps. The fact of the matter is that Indiana is not at all like California – California has sustained government overspending by relying on overly-optimistic revenue projections, while Indiana’s government units have done a pretty good job of adjusting and living within their revenue means. It is nonsense to look at California’s budget woes as a reason to oppose HJR 1 and SJR 1.

18. The protection offered by property tax caps is so important that the fate of constitutional caps should be decided by all the voters.

Representative John Day expressed an enlightened position on HJR 1 and SJR 1 during his 2008 reelection campaign. On the Indianapolis Star campaign website, Representative Day stated "While I have some doubts about whether the caps should be placed in our Constitution, the question is important enough that all the voters should have a voice on this issue." It is hoped that all state legislators appreciate that if the collective wisdom of the voters is sufficient for their election, it is also sufficient to decide the fate of constitutional property tax caps by statewide referendum on November 2, 2010.

From Watchdog Indiana

SENATE & HOUSE AGREE TO FULL VOTE ON TAX CAP REFERENDUM

2009-12-14T23:06:00.003-06:00

Congratulations to Team Hammond, all the citizens of Indiana, and especially to George Janiec and Jim Premeske. Team Hammond's spokesmen departed the region at 4:00 A.M. on Monday, December 7th, braving an interstate covered with black ice, to testify in Indy on behalf of the citizens concerning the importance of putting a Constitutional Amendment to a referendum vote in November of 2010.

Although they were outnumbered in testimony, and were facing a House Committee dominated by Democrats, some quite hostile. They intrepidly made their points on the gift of property tax caps (1,2,3 %) which the General Assembly had approved none too soon.

The issue boiled down to: why now? Both the House and Senate membership changes biennially: it takes 26 Senators, 51 Representatives and most importantly a sympathetic Governor to bring change to Indiana. In the absence of a Constitutional Amendment complicating a return to Indiana's current out of control government the House Ways and Means Committee learned the necessity of expediency. Team Hammond pointed out the national average property tax rate is .96%; the highest ten counties in the U.S. average less than 3.5%, with median home values approximating Hammond's $100,000. Meanwhile in Indiana, Hammond taxpayers paid a rate of 5.66%, while Gary was over 9%. Examples were cited on how the property tax caps provided discipline that was previously lacking, especially in Lake County! The ways and means vote was deferred until Dec 14th.

Because of the weather, there was no question that Team Hammond's spokemen would spend the night in Indy pending the Tuesday afternoon convening of the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee.

Team Hammond's Senate Committee testimony was similar to that at the House chamber. Premeske provided copies of the tables he cited to interested senators. The odds were still against us; and when Senator Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago) began a detailed cross-examination of Jim Premeske concerning the sacrifices endured by local government it drew every committee senators attention. Point after point Senator Randolph probed for a weak spot in Team Hammond's defense of the tax caps. Example after example was shot down as it was pointed out cutbacks had feasible alternatives which local administations bypassed. Jim's conclusion was that the citizens need not be penalized because they supported needed tax relief.

Finally a vote was taken with nine senators voting for sending SJR1 to the full Senate for a vote leading to a November referendum with three Democrats (including Senator Randolph) dissenting.

On Monday, December 14th the House Ways and Means Committee took its vote. The outcome was 21-3, with several Democrats crossing to vote with the Republicans.

With committees in both chambers agreeing to have their entire body vote on a people's referendum (vote) in November of 2010, Team Hammond is off to an excellent start for the new year. But the real battles are yet to come; Mayor McDermott and his ilk will be out in full force trying to preserve Waste, Fraud and Abuse. Anticipate they will multiply the efforts of their lobbyists against the citizens. It is now more imperative than ever to keep the pressure on our senators and representatives.

A big thank you goes to George and Jim for representing the welfare of Indiana's taxpayers.

APPEAL DEADLINE EXTENSION MEMO

2009-11-19T11:20:00.001-06:00

RECAP OF TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-11-19T09:21:00.005-06:00

Joe Wszolek, an Indiana Certified Tax Representative, gave Part II of his property tax appeal presentation at the Team Hammond meeting on Tuesday night.

Form 133 He went over the reasons for a property tax appeal and what forms should be used for the two different types of appeals. Form 133 should be used to correct an error such as an exemption that has been eliminated. Form 130 should be used to challenge an assessed value on a property. Form 133 appeals can be filed all year long. Form 130 appeals have a 45 day deadline after Form 11, Form 113 or tax bills have gone out. The deadline for 2008 appeals has been extended to December 2, 2009.

Joe also covered grade ratings and how they affect your assessed value and your neighborhoods. He showed examples of different types of residential properties and their grade ratings. You can use your neighbors' grade ratings in your appeal if your grade rating is significantly different.

The property record card available at the assessor's office is the first step in gathering information for your appeal. Joe explained what information is contained in the property record card and why it is the foundation for your appeal.

In an appeal, the burden of proof is on the homeowner not the assessor. The homeowner must provide documentation and evidence in order to prove the assessment is not correct. You cannot just say my assessment is too high. You must provide evidence supporting your claim. This evidence can be a certified appraisal, sales disclosures, and assessed values of other homes similar to the homeowners. This information can be obtained from local real estate agents and the county assessor's webpage. The DLGF is also a valuable source of information for an appeal. If the homeowner is willing to do the groundwork himself, he should not have to spend alot of money trying to win the appeal.

Joe also covered the different steps in the appeal process. The assessor has 120 days to schedule an informal hearing on an appeal. If that time passes, the homeowner can go to the PTABOA (Propety Tax Assessment Board of Appeals) and request a hearing. The hearing must be held within 180 within the filing of the appeal. If the homeowner is not satisfied with the ruling of the PTABOA, the next step is the Indiana Board of Tax Review in Indianapolis followed by the Indiana Tax Court.

The deadline for 2008 tax appeals is December 2, 2009. If the deadline is missed, the homeowner will have to wait until 2010 to file a 2009 appeal. Property tax bills came out on September 29 and the 45 day deadline has passed; however, the county assessor has extended the deadline until December 2, 2009. Homeowners must include a copy of the deadline extension with their appeal should their appeal continue on to the Indiana Board of Tax Review.

Any homeowner wishing to use sales disclosures for their 2008 appeal must use disclosures from the time period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. Disclosures from the current year 2009 are not valid for a 2008 appeal.

Beginning in 2010, the burden of proof will be on the assessor if an assessed value of a property goes up more than 5%.

Joe cautioned that the results of an appeal are not always in favor of the homeowner. If an appeal is within 10% of the assessed value either way, the assessor is not obligated to make a correction. The assessed value within that 10% frame is considered correct.

Currently, homeowners are having to appeal their assessments every year. Joe said he and George Janiec are working to get a law passed that would make the new assessments won in an appeal permanent, and homeowners would no longer have to appeal every year.

The presentation ended with Joe answering questions from the audience.

PROPERTY TAX APPEALS, PART II

2009-11-15T21:55:00.003-06:00

The next Team Hammond general meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue. Meet n' Greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Our guest speaker for the evening will be Joe Wszolek, who will continue his presentation on Property Tax Appeals. Joe will specifically focus on the criteria for filing a property tax appeal and the procedure for filing an appeal. Joe is an Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser, an Indiana Certified Level II Assessor-Appraiser and an Indiana Certified Tax Representative (Real Property Assessment Appeal).

If you believe the assessment on your residence is not correct and would like to know how to go about fixing it, come to the Team Hammond meeting this Tuesday night. Find out if you have a legitimate concern and learn how to navigate your way through the appeal process. Deadline for 2008 appeals is December 4, 2009; time is running out!

For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

PROPERTY TAXES EXPLAINED

2009-10-27T08:51:00.002-05:00

Learn from an experienced professional

- How the property tax process works
- What the parts of a property tax bill mean
- How assessed values are set
- When it makes sense to appeal your assessment
- How to tell if your property description is correct
- How to tell if your assessment is logical and reasonable
- How an assessed value can be successfully appealed

Key Speaker will be Joe Wszolek, President, Joseph Wszolek & Associates, Inc., Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser, Indiana Certified Level II Assessor-Appraiser, Indiana Certified Tax Representative (Real Property Assessment Appeal)

Bring your tax bill and record card (Property description) for help in appealing assessments. Appeal forms and info on how to appeal an assessment will be available.

DATE: Thursday, October 29
TIME: 6-9 PM
PLACE: Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote (Corner of Northcote and Southwestern)

HAMMOND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT TO SPEAK AT NEXT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-10-21T09:28:00.002-05:00

The next Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

On the agenda is the new Hammond high school construction project. Key speaker will be Dr. Walter Watkins, superintendent of the Hammond school system. School board trustees will also attend and comment on the project.

Team Hammond meetings are open to the public.

DAN DERNULC OF THE LITTLE CALUMET RIVER BASIN COMMISSION TO SPEAK AT NEXT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-09-17T21:44:00.003-05:00

The next Team Hammond meeting will be on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue. Meet n' greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Dan Dernulc of the Little Calumet River Basin Commission. He will speak on the Little Calumet River flood control project and its current status.

Anyone residing in Lake County is invited to attend and bring your questions about the project. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors especially those who have been impacted by the Little Cal flooding.

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-06-27T22:57:00.003-05:00

Lake County Council President Larry Blanchard (R-Crown Point) will be the featured guest speaker at the next Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

County Council President Blanchard will speak on all issues related to the county: upcoming budget talks, cost cutting, proposed food and beverage tax and county option income tax. The meeting will be an open discussion, and Mr. Blanchard will answer questions from the floor.

Team Hammond meetings are open to everyone who is interested in good government and property tax reform. You do not have to be a Hammond resident to attend. Bring a friend or a neighbor to the meeting and become an informed citizen on the workings of county government.

SUPPORT TAXPAYER FRIENDLY SPECIAL SESSION BUDGET

2009-06-27T22:40:00.002-05:00

The next state budget passed by the Indiana General Assembly will be Taxpayer Friendly if it (1) provides sufficient resources for good government AND (2) protects Hoosier working families from state and local tax increases.

Two starkly different state budgets have been proposed in the current special session of the General Assembly - a two-year budget by the Indiana Senate under the leadership of President Protempore David Long that follows the guidelines of Governor Mitch Daniels, and one-year budget by the Indiana House as directed by Speaker B. Patrick Bauer. A spreadsheet analysis of each budget can be found online at http://www.finplaneducation.net/senatehouse_ssb_0911.htm.

Providing sufficient resources for good government is difficult during these challenging economic times - the nation's longest recession since the Great Depression. To help replace declining revenues, both the Senate and House budgets use (or intend to use) about $2.7 billion of federal stimulus funds for various education, infrastructure, Medicaid, and transportation spending initiatives. The use of these federal stimulus dollars is acceptable in the present uncertain economic environment IF tax increases do not become necessary to support recurring expenses that will now be covered by the non-recurring federal stimulus funds.

The Watchdog Indiana rule-of-thumb is that a tax increase in a subsequent budget can be avoided if all the state’s reserve funds on June 30 of the last budget year total at least 50 percent more than any structural deficit. A structural deficit is created when recurring budget spending is supported by non-recurring revenues - when appropriations that repeat year-after-year are not fully supported by current revenues, but rely on non-recurring revenues such as federal stimulus funds and reserve funds.

The House budget is Taxpayer UNfriendly because on June 30, 2010, the alarmingly high structural deficit of $1.3797 billion is fully half a billion dollars more than the state's total reserves of $877.8 million. There is little chance that revenue collections in the 2011 fiscal year will recover sufficiently to cover the structural deficit. Even though there will be an additional $289.2 million in Medicaid federal stimulus funds available for the 2011 fiscal year, a House budget structural deficit that is half a billion dollars more than the state's reserves WILL result in a 2011 tax increase.

The Senate budget is much more Taxpayer Friendly than the House Budget because on June 30, 2011, the Senate budget has a reserve funds balance of $1.0036 billion, which is 36 percent MORE than the structural deficit of $740.3 million. If revenue collections from current tax sources do not increase in line with historical levels, the state's reserves together with spending discretion by the Governor can be used to avoid a tax increase after 2011.

The K-12 education provisions in the Senate budget are Taxpayer Friendly. The Senate budget provides a spending increase for every student, and those school districts with increasing enrollments will get more state money while school districts with declining numbers of students will receive less state funding. Current law phases out per student state funding for school districts with declining enrollments over a five-year period, and phases in over five years the per student funding for school districts with increasing enrollments. Governor Daniels proposed that the five-year per student phase-outs and phase-ins be eliminated. Because some school expenses continue in school districts with declining enrollments, the Senate budget properly provides a compromise three-year period of per student phase-outs and phase-ins.

The K-12 education provisions in the House budget are Taxpayer UNfriendly. The House budget unwisely gives every school district more state funding, even those school districts with declining enrollments. The House budget reflects a philosophy that it is improper for K-12 teachers to protect their jobs by foregoing pay increases during this historic economic recession. Other government employees have had their pay frozen at a time when so many Hoosiers are experiencing income reductions and job losses. The average K-12 teacher in Indiana has a $49,569 salary with good benefits, while the median income for all the members of a Hoosier working family is $47,074. Indiana has the seventh highest teacher salaries in the nation when adjusted for cost of living. Teachers will hardly suffer if they miss one pay increase to help protect the funding of their K-12 school districts.

The Senate budget is also Taxpayer Friendly because it covers both the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. A two-year budget provides the fiscal discipline needed to help protect Hoosier working families from the unneeded tax increases that single-interest lobbyists would demand each year if one-year budgets were unwisely adopted.

The House budget is Taxpayer UNfriendly because it covers the 2010 fiscal year only.

Some additional noteworthy Taxpayer Friendly and Taxpayer UNfriendly provisions in the Senate and House budgets are listed below (under my name). It must be noted that the long list of Taxpayer UNfriendly provisions in the House budget favors tax spenders and developers at the expense of those who pay taxes.

The same Bauer Obstruction Team that is blocking passage of the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1 is trying to use the House budget to set up a tax increase on Hoosier working families during the midst of a prolonged recession.

The bottom line is that a special session YES vote for the Senate budget is Taxpayer Friendly, while a special session NO vote against the Senate budget is Taxpayer UNfriendly.

Please ACT NOW and let your State Senator and State Representative know that you expect them to vote for the Taxpayer Friendly Senate budget! Contact information for your State Senator and State Representative public servants can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/general_assembly_ratings.htm.

Watchdog Indiana calls on Senator Long to improve the Senate budget further by reducing the use of the Tuition Reserve Fund in the 2010 fiscal year from $305 million to $231 million and in the 2011 fiscal year from $305 million to $262 million. Taking this action, together with eliminating the $74 million transfer from the General Fund to the Tuition Reserve Fund in the 2010 fiscal year and reducing K-12 spending by $43 million in the 2011 fiscal year, will enable the state’s reserve funds of $1.0466 billion on June 30, 2011, to be a Taxpayer Friendly 50 percent more than the structural deficit of $697.3 million. If the Bauer Obstruction Team wants the use of the Tuition Reserve Fund returned to $305 million in both the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years, insist that they allow a vote in the House on the Taxpayer Friendly constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1.

From Aaron Smith at Watchdog Indiana

STATE SENATOR SUE LANDSKE TO SPEAK AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-05-21T08:46:00.002-05:00

The next Team Hammond general meeting will be on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Woodmar. Meet and greet begins at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Guest speaker for the evening will be State Senator Sue Landske (District 6). Senator Landske will speak on topics pertaining to state government including legislation, property taxes, and the state budget. The evening's format will be an open discussion, and Senator Landske will answer questions from the audience.

Bring a friend or neighbor to the meeting, and most of all, bring questions to ask Senator Landske.

AS CRISIS UNFOLDS, A DANIELS-BAUER SHOWDOWN

2009-04-26T11:26:00.001-05:00

By BRIAN A. HOWEY

INDIANAPOLIS - There sat the serene House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer at his desk before the Statehouse press corps last Thursday and a Mitch Daniels bobble head doll. Bauer tapped it and Gov. Daniels’ plaster head bobbed up and down. “The governor is here with us and he agrees with me almost all the time,” the Speaker said as laughter filled his small office.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Daniels and Bauer are worlds apart when it comes to how Indiana should be governed.

It feeds into the question of who the most powerful person in the Statehouse really is: a constitutionally weak governor seeking to radically rebuild a backwater state, or a powerful Speaker who is the bulwark for an anemic status quo, and who is motivated only by the maintenance of his own elevated political station?

When the deal-making reaches true intensity next week, will Bauer, the stasist defender whose caucus has made a mockery of just about every progressive piece of legislation that has passed through its doors, win this battle and lose the war? For Daniels, who entered this session off a landslide victory and leaves it with near 70 percent approval, his legacy is at stake. His governorship will not be deemed successful unless he can achieve profound government and education restructuring.

The backdrop to this is the potential General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcies and liquidations, coupled with a steel industry collapse, whose production is the lowest since the Great Depression. There have also been two township trustee criminal convictions this past week.

Here are the key issues that must be determined by April 29:

The budget: This is the governor’s top priority and at this writing, he is looking at a stinker. It is loaded with Obama stimulus funds he warned Bauer and Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley not to use. Daniels wants a two-year budget that is truly balanced. Bauer wants a one-year budget given the economic crisis, but the governor has no stomach for dealing with it again next year.

State revenue forecasters predict Indiana will take in $690 million less over the next two years than last December’s estimate. That doesn’t include a Chrysler liquidation that could spread to suppliers, creating a belt of Indiana counties in Northern Indiana facing jobless rates between 15 and 20 percent. A question with no answer is what happens to those numbers with an automotive/steel collapse? Kenley’s foundation is an 8 percent budget cut plus using $2 billion in federal stimulus funds to increase education spending between 1 and 2 percent.

Unemployment Insurance: This is the issue in HB1379 most likely to create the need for a special session. A House Democrat plan put forth on Monday would saddle Hoosier employers with $1 billion to fix the shortfall, compared to the $328 million in the Senate bill, which would include some cuts to beneficiaries. This is one of those issues that got kicked down the road and now a solution must be found in crisis.

Asked how many Hoosier companies are teetering financially, Indiana Manufacturers Association President Pat Kiely answered, “There is no data available to determine how many Indiana manufacturers are on the brink, but we do know anyone related to autos, RVs and housing are in the worst positions.”

A look at Department of Workforce Development notices as of Wednesday reveal 5,527 jobs that will be lost between now and the end of June, which wouldn’t include 6,000 Chrysler jobs and related suppliers. “Passing a $1 billion tax increase as called for in the House Democrat conference committee report is clearly insane and for bargaining purposes,” Kiely said.

“Probably the right question to ask is how many employees will have to lose their jobs in every sector to pay for the tax? Employees will be impacted more than companies in most cases, which makes this tactic hard to understand and even harder to understand is why we continue to play political games with a subject that needs repairs and not rhetoric with one week left,” Kiely noted.

There is persistent speculation that Bauer is angling to blow up the UI bill and let the Obama administration deal with it. How does the idea of Washington running this sensitive fund strike you?

Education: I once viewed this as a key 11th-hour bargaining chip. Daniels might get his balanced budget or some Kernan-Shepard reforms in exchange for more education funding. Our sense at this writing is that the jobs trust issue is overshadowing the issue of increased education funding. Democrats are concerned that poorer school districts are being shorted by the Republican budget.

Kernan-Shepard: The miscalculation may have been Bauer and Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson’s decision to not choose even a few of the 27 Kernan-Shepard recommendations for passage. The complete dismissal of all Kernan-Shepard reforms sets up a dramatic political showdown for House races in 2010 that will almost certainly be played out in places like Kokomo, Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Rising Sun, Marion and Pendleton, some of which will be experiencing titanic job losses. Imagine a campaign featuring a direct contrast between Daniels and Bauer. It’s coming.

My prediction? Just as we saw during the severe recession of 1982, a special session is probably likely sometime this year once we finally understand the full implications of the auto and steel crisis.

The columnist is publisher of www.howeypolitics.com.

LEGISLATORS GAMBLE ON LAND-BASED CASINO PLAN

2009-04-24T12:31:00.003-05:00

April 24, 2009
By John Byrne and Jon Seidel
Post-Tribune staff writers

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's first land-based casino could take root in Gary near the Borman Expressway under an ambitious 11th-hour plan Northwest Indiana legislators announced Thursday that would pay for a new teaching hospital in the city and other major regional projects using tax money generated at the new gambling emporium.

Proposed amendments to House Bill 1607 would also give Gary unique authority to use money collected from the lease of the Gary-Chicago International Airport on infrastructure improvements and other projects throughout the city.

The bloated legislation also retains its original purpose, to allow creation of a four-county transportation district to govern rail and bus service in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties.

But the package took on the feel of a Gary stimulus package at a conference committee hearing Thursday, with local representatives pointing to the struggling city's two casino licenses and its airport as the best assets to leverage as it attempts to remain solvent in the short term and forge a successful future in the long-term.

The proposal is sure to face opposition from some legislators who will wonder why Gary deserves such special treatment in the waning hours of the legislative session.

The casino financing package would require the amounts of admission and wagering tax revenue collected at one of the Don Barden-owned casinos in Buffington Harbor be recorded as of May 15.
Whenever a new casino opened on the south side of the city near Interstate 80/94, any increase in those tax revenues above the May 15, 2009, levels would go to three local projects: a teaching hospital in Gary; the West Lake corridor of the South Shore commuter rail extension, from Munster to Lowell; and the Marquette Plan to clean up and develop the lakeshore.

Those are dollars that would normally go to the state general fund, making it potentially problematic to garner downstate support for the plan.

No public input.

And Rep. Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg, worried about HB 1607 undergoing wholesale changes without the benefit of the public hearings bills usually receive in the House and Senate.

"It has not passed either chamber and we're down to the nitty-gritty," Duncan said.

Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrill-ville, urged Duncan to consider what it would mean to the state if Gary went bankrupt.

"We are trying to help ourselves with this plan," Dobis said. "There are negatives, I concur. But if you want to see negatives, wait till you see the bottom line at the (Distressed Unit Appeal) Board when it reaches its conclusion" on Gary's request for state aid.

Support from Mitch

Gov. Mitch Daniels said this week he would be open to granting Gary the state's first land-based casino.

"As somebody who came late to this party, I've never understood why they have insisted on clinging to the illusion that these casinos are water-based anyway," Daniels said. "So if this is something the City of Gary feels will be helpful to them, I'm certainly willing to look at it."

Then there's the question of who would pay for a new casino in Gary.

Thursday's amendment requires the owner of the license to spend at least $150 million on the facility, though Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, predicted it would cost much more than that to erect a large-scale casino on the expressway.

Barden has had well-publicized money problems lately, and Rogers speculated he might sell the license or seek partners to defray the cost.

Barden said Thursday he hadn't had a chance to see the proposal. He declined to comment on the particulars or whether he plans to sell one of his Gary casino licenses.

"I don't have any plans to do anything about anything at this juncture," Barden said.

Clay lauds plan

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay greeted Thursday's developments as a welcome piece of good news for the beleaguered city.

The casino could generate $240 million over the next decade, Clay said, and the casino-hospital project could create 5,000 jobs.

He praised lawmakers, including his sometime political antagonist, Rep. Charlie Brown, a longtime supporter of a four-year medical school and teaching hospital in Gary.

"For the last two years he has really been on the front lines of pushing and bringing people together for the four-year medical school," Clay said.

HB 1607 started as a far-reaching, controversial plan to create a one-of-its-kind four-county transportation district with taxing powers in northern Indiana.

The transportation language remains in HB 1607, though it, too, underwent significant changes at Thursday's meeting of a bipartisan House-Senate conference committee with less than a week remaining in the General Assembly session.

Rather than separate May 2010 referendums, Dobis proposed a single, regionwide ballot question in November 2010. If a majority of voters in the whole four-county area wanted to participate, all four counties would become members.

Mayors from Gary, Hammond, Valparaiso, Portage, and the four largest cities in LaPorte and St. Joseph counties would sit on the board, which would have the power to levy an income tax up to 0.25 percent in each county to mass transit capital projects and operations.

Daniels would still appoint the ninth member, from among elected officials in the four counties.

"The mayors in all four counties would be more the beneficiaries than the counties," Dobis said.

Contact John Byrne at 317-631-7400 or jbyrne@post-trib.com.

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

2009-04-21T11:02:00.002-05:00

The next Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group general meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Galaxy Hall, 6723 Kennedy Avenue in Hessville. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Items on the agenda include updates on the city and county council meetings and the 2009 Indiana General Assembly.

WOW! WHAT A DAY!

2009-04-18T08:55:00.005-05:00

WOW!!! Way to be heard and seen, Freedom-Loving Hoosiers!!!!!

Although the local media would have us believe we only had around 2,000 attendees at the event (which would be correct if you were counting 2 hours before the event even started!), those trained in crowd control AND the IMPD estimated our rally had somewhere between 12,000 - 15,000 Peaceful Patriots!!!! In fact, the Capital Police remarked that they were amazed at how well behaved our crowd was!! AND, what's more, our volunteers expected to spend a few hours after the event, picking up trash and cleaning the area, BUT, there was hardly ANY evidence that 15,000 people were just there!! We Patriots sure know how to party AND not make a mess!!!

Richard and I want to thank each one of you who braved the crowds, the parking, the chilly temps AND rearranged your schedules to be a part of the rally to have our voices heard together! We really were the ROARING LION!! I know most of you did not have the vantage point that we had and could not see the crowd fully, but I want to tell you I was moved to tears on a number of occasions yesterday as I looked out at the sea of faces, the signs, the red, white and blue, ....friends, we are most assuredly are NOT ALONE!

So now what? "What can I do to get involved?", you ask. The first step is to make sure you stay in contact with the Indy Defenders of Liberty Meet-up Group. This will be the main "social group" site. There are currently LOTS of ways to be involved and get connected with other like-minded Hoosiers right in your area. Check out the message boards forum to get information on joining a Small Group. If there isn't a Small Group started in your area, YOU start one!! It's easy!! Just pick a date, a location and let me know and I'll put it out on the site. Take that step! Be a leader in your own community!

Also, continue to stay-up-to-date on the tea party site, http://www.indianapolisteaparty.com/. Now that the first "big event" is behind us, we will be working feverishly to improve the website to make sure everyone stays informed about the next steps in Reclaiming America! Want to volunteer or even take on a leadership role? Let me know! We will be having a leadership meeting as early as next week so that we can keep the fire burning!!

More importantly, don't forget to check out the Independence Caucus website to learn what truly goes on in Washington and WHY our calls, letters and emails really don't matter. As Frank Anderson, from the Independence Caucus said at the rally, you will find that there really isn't a Republican party or a Democrat party. It has become and "Incumbent" party. Their website, http://www.icaucus.org/, will show you why. Be prepared to be FURIOUS!

Again, on behalf of the over 100 Tea Party volunteers, THANK YOU Freedom-Loving Americans for joining us in having our voices heard. Let the non-representing representatives in Washington say, as Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto said after his attack on Pearl Harbor, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."We are asleep no longer.

FREEDOM!!!

Richard & Laura Behney
Indiana Tea Party Coordinator

HOUSE SPEAKER PAT BAUER: INDIANA PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE!

2009-04-15T19:48:00.006-05:00

It is more than apparent that House Speaker Pat Bauer and his fellow Democrats in the General Assembly are not interested in giving Hoosier taxpayers permanent property tax relief.

Bauer and Company continue to play their childish games by refusing to give SJR1 a hearing in the Indiana house.

Rep. Davis presented House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer with a motion to suspend House rules for the purpose of voting on SJR 1. Speaker Bauer allowed House Republican Leader Brian C. Bosma to speak on the motion. “Rep. Davis has filed a motion pursuant to Rule 8 to suspend House Rule 85 immediately for a single purpose and that’s for voting on SJR 1,” Rep. Bosma said. Rather than allowing a vote on SJR 1, State Rep. Scott Pelath (Michigan City) quickly made a motion to adjourn as Bosma stood at the podium and House Democrats immediately exited the chamber. “Once again, the speaker has chosen to ignore House rules. Rule 8 clearly states that a motion to suspend a rule takes precedent over any other business and is in order at any time,” Rep. Jerry Torr said. “Instead of dealing with the motion to vote on the property tax cap resolution that more than 70 percent of Hoosiers want, they chose to adjourn.” (from Howey Politics)

So, let's get this straight. Polls show more than 70 percent of Hoosiers want permanent property tax caps. Yet the Democrats are chosing to ignore what their constituents so obviously want by refusing to vote on SJR1.

Just who do the Democrats represent down in the General Assembly? Their constituents or special interest groups and lobbyists. We'll bet you a dollar it's not the first choice!

Time to get on the horn and call Speaker Bauer at 1-800-382-9842 or email him at h6@in.gov and ask what he has against Hoosier taxpayers that he won't give us permanent property tax relief. His argument that he wants to wait to see what effect the caps will have on local governments is hogwash. There is still more belt-tightening that needs to be and should be done. Taxpayers aren't stupid. Clay doesn't need a leased car and the Hammond Special Events Coordinator doesn't need a take-home car. If taxpayers have to live within a budget so can governments!

If SJR1 does not pass this year, we need to work very hard to give Bauer and all his Democratic cronies the boot in the 2010 elections. The Democrats in the General Assembly are not a taxpayer's friend and never will be as long as Bauer remains in office and pulls the strings.

POS POLL: WIDE SUPPORT FOR TAX CAPS

2009-04-15T19:42:00.001-05:00

An April 1-2 Public Opinion Strategies Poll shows overwhelming support for property tax caps in Indiana. House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer’s refusal to allow a vote on the caps could be setting Democrats up for a major campaign liability in 2010.

Hoosiers support the caps 73-20 percent overall according to the poll commissioned by the Indiana Realtors. The intensity is over 3-1 for, 39 strong yes, 12 strong no. Virtually all demographics are supportive. Democrats support 66-27 percent. Independents support 72-20 percent. Self described liberals support 65-28 percent. Self described strong Democrats support 65-30 percent. Every income group is over 70 percent support, as is every age group. Urban 77-16; Suburbs 71-21, Rural 69-26.

Republican support is even stronger, all in the 80’s. The caps passed both the Indiana House and Senate by wide margins in March 2008. The constitutional amendment must pass both houses again by March 2010 in order to be placed on the November 2010 ballot.

From Howey Politics

SOUND VAGUELY FAMILIAR?

2009-04-15T19:27:00.001-05:00

Click on picture to enlarge for easier reading.

STATE LEGISLATURE IS PLANNING EVEN MORE TAXES

2009-04-15T19:17:00.002-05:00

In addition to the key votes on House Bill 1730, which takes away the right to a referendum on new school buildings, the Indiana State Legislature will be voting this month on several other key bills that will have a big impact on Hammond taxpayers.

SJR 1 PROPERTY TAX CAP IS IN JEOPARDY

Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR 1) would provide for a referendum allowing Indiana residents to vote to cap property taxes at 1% for single family homes, 2% for rental properties, and 3% for business and industrial. This would become an amendment to the Indiana Constitution and could not be taken away without a vote of the taxpayers.

House Speaker Pat Bauer (phone 1-800-382-9842, email H6@IN.gov) currently is holding up a vote on this key resolution to make property tax caps permanent. Contact Pat Bauer and your local representative telling them to PUT SJR 1 TO A VOTE THIS YEAR. Vote FOR SJR 1 and give the voters a right to choose to make the property tax caps permanent.

PROPERTY TAX INCREASE PROPOSED FOR HAMMOND

Hammond elected officials have proposed a 16 1/2 % increase in the real estate (property) tax rate for Hammond taxpayers. Let your representatives know what you think about that.

TAXES FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION

Buses are very important to many people, and we do need a transportation system. Just be aware of the possible price.

Both the House and Senate are working on bills to establish a Regional Transportation District.
House Bill 1660 and Senate Bill 479 are in committees, and may be voted on before the end of this session.

These bills would give elected officials wide ranging powers to establish Regional Transportation Districts with even more wide ranging powers to establish new taxes including county income taxes, food and beverage taxes, special benefits property tax, county economic development taxes.

To keep a lid on new taxes, contact your State and local representatives.

Any State senator can be reached at 1-800-382-9467

Any State representative can be reached at 1-800-382-9842

ACT NOW TO KEEP YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE

2009-04-14T10:45:00.002-05:00

The Indiana State Legislature is voting this month on a bill that would take away your right to a referendum -- your right to vote -- on any new school buildings.

House Bill 1730 would make it possible for cities to build and remodel schools without a referendum -- without giving taxpayers a chance to vote on it -- if the schools are "green" or energy efficient. If any new construction includes energy saving options, it means you lose your right to vote on all new buildings.

The bill now is before the Indiana Senate, which will vote on it before the session ends at the end of April.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact your State senator (Frank Mrvan is Hammond’s) at (800) 382-9467 to let him know it is important to keep your right to vote on any new school buildings.

Contact Governor Mitch Daniels at 317-232-4567 and tell him to Veto the bill if it does reach his desk.

The House of Representatives already voted 52 to 48 to pass this bill. Did your representative vote to take away your rights to a referendum?

State House district 1 Linda Lawson voted YES email H1@IN.gov

State House district 11 Dan Stevenson voted YES email H11@IN.gov

State House district 12 Mara Candelaria Reardon voted YES email H12@IN.gov

If you are not happy that they are taking away your right to vote on these important and very large school spending issues, let them know.

Why it is so important to keep your right to vote on new schools

The School City of Hammond already has overburdened the taxpayers.

Debt obligations for the School City of Hammond total more than $330 MILLION*
*Principle and interest, rounded to millions, from the Indiana Dept. of Education

That amount of debt comes to more than $23,000 per student.
The $104 million in interest on that debt is more than the entire debt of the City of Hammond.
Taxpayers of Hammond ultimately are responsible for this debt.

Building another high school could add another $250 million to that tax burden.

The School City of Hammond is failing the students.

The graduation rate for all Hammond schools ranks in the lowest 2% of all Indiana school districts.

More than half of Hammond's schools are failing:
Eight schools are on Academic Watch.
Five schools are on probation, with two of those in their 3rd year of probation.
None of Hammond’s four high schools meet State minimum requirements.

What you can do:

Attend the next school board meeting Thursday, April 23, 7 PM at Morton High School, 6915 Grand Avenue and let your voice be heard.

Contact the school superintendent Dr. Walter J. Watkins Phone: 219-933-2400 email:wjwatkins@hammond.k12.in.us

NEW INCOME TAX WOULD FUND FOUR-COUNTY NWI TRANSIT AGENCY

2009-04-02T00:12:00.002-05:00

By VICKI URBANIK
Chesterton Tribune

A Senate Committee on Tuesday approved a plan to create a four-county transportation district with the powers to impose a new income tax in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties for current and future rail and bus service in the region, potentially giving a big boost to the South Shore extension.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation & Veterans Affairs unanimously passed a lengthy amendment to H.B. 1607 that would create a nine-member Northwest Indiana Regional Transportation District made up of county commissioners and county council members from the four counties.

The new transit agency would have the authority to impose an income tax of up to 0.25 percent on taxpayers in each of the four counties, with the rate determined by the level of bus and rail service in each county. The tax rate could go up or down in each of the four counties to correspond with the level of capital and operating funds in each county, as long as the rate does not exceed 0.25 percent.

The amendment appears to give the new transit board full authority to impose the tax, with no other local approval required, by a majority vote among the nine members. That suggests that a tax could be imposed in any of the four counties even if that individual county’s representatives vote against it.

The new regional agency would have separate rail and bus divisions. According to the amendment language, the current operators of the South Shore commuter service -- the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District -- would become the rail division of the new district. The Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority would be rolled into the bus division, as would bus services run by municipalities, such as those in Valparaiso, Gary and Hammond.

The new district board would be made up of one county commissioner and one county council member from each of the four counties. The county council member is to be the council president or another council member designated by the president.

The governor would appoint the ninth board member. This individual would serve as the district board chair and would not have voting powers, except to break a tie. The governor appointee must be an elected official from one of the four counties.

Among other responsibilities, the new transit board would hire an executive director and would have the authority to own property and to bond for capital improvements. As a public agency, its property would be exempt from property taxes.

The amendment approved Tuesday calls for the new income tax -- called the Regional Transportation Improvement Income Tax -- to take effect on Oct. 1 in the year that the tax is adopted, after the transit board approves a resolution and gives public notice of the tax in each county in which it is proposed.

The Senate Committee passed the amendment 8-0 ; the only Northwest Indiana lawmakers on the committee are Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, and Jim Arnold, D-Michigan City.

The bill now moves to the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy. The Northwest Indiana lawmakers on that committee are Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso; Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake; and Lonnie Randolph, D-Gary.

The original House bill, authored by State Rep. Chet Dobis, D- Merrillville, was called the “West Lake” bill and called on the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority to establish separate funds for the South Shore extension to Lowell.

Dobis’ original bill also included language to require that the members of the RDA -- including Porter County -- remain as members for at least 10 years.

Dobis’ bill was amended in the House to include $53 million in appropriations from the federal stimulus bill for the South Shore commuter service as well as transit services in central Indiana. More specifically, the appropriations included $15 million toward the relocation of the South Shore tracks at the South Bend airport, $5 million for rail improvements in Michigan City, and $15 million for the initial engineering and environmental studies for the South Shore expansion to Lowell.

The amendment approved by the Senate Committee on Tuesday takes the House bill a giant step forward, by setting up a new government entity, as well as a local funding mechanism, for current and expanded rail and bus service.

Dobis’ bill passed the House 68-31. In the Senate, the bill’s sponsors are Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville; Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes; and Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso.

If the Senate-amended bill passes the full Senate, the bill would be sent to a conference committee, to resolve the differences between the House and the Senate versions.

The original language in H.B. 1607 requiring that the members of the RDA remain members for at least 10 years remains in place.
　
Posted 4/1/2009

SENATE PUSHES TRANSIT TAXING BOARD FOR REGION

2009-04-02T00:04:00.003-05:00

April 1, 2009
By John Byrne
Post-Tribune staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS -- Legislative supporters of rail and bus funding for Northwest Indiana are trying a new tack to get local taxpayers to foot the bills for the projects.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to create a four-county regional transportation district em-powered to levy an income tax as high as 0.25 percent to pay for mass transit in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties.

The ambitious plan could raise $52 million per year to subsidize big-ticket capital projects and operating expenses, circumventing the local officials who have been unwilling or unable to adopt a tax themselves, particularly in Lake County.

If the income tax were levied at its maximum amount for each county, Lake County residents would kick in $22 million annually, Porter $12 million, LaPorte $5 million and St. Joseph $15 million, according to Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, who offered the proposal as an amendment to a House transportation bill.

Not coincidentally, Kenley's plan could pay the $350 million local share of the $1 billion-plus South Shore rail extension to Lowell and Valparaiso, and underwrite bus service in the area.

"There is a rough correlation there," Kenley, R-Noblesville, told the committee in explaining why he settled on a 0.25 percent maximum.

The nine-member, first-of-its-kind "super board" Kenley envisions would include a county council member and a county commissioner from each county, as well as a governor-appointed chairman, who would vote only to break ties.

The state budget agency would get final say on how high an income tax residents of each county would get saddled with, taking into account the capital improvement needs in each county, and the number of passengers and passenger miles each county contributes to regional mass transit.
Lake County, where a lot of work is required to complete the South Shore extension, might get a high capital assessment.

St. Joseph County requires less construction, but passengers heading into Chicago travel farther, adding to the operating assessment as the state figures an appropriate tax.

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, has pledged $500 million in federal transportation funds for the rail extension.

But the project has foundered in the General Assembly for lack of local matching revenue.

State Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, said there seems to be greater momentum to get something done now.

"I'm more optimistic now than I was at this time last year," said Dobis, a staunch supporter of the South Shore rail project.

Before it becomes law, however, the package has to get approval from the full Senate and head to conference committee for further consideration. If it does run that gauntlet, the bill may end up looking far different from the one approved Tuesday.

Other provisions

In addition to funding bus and rail systems in the region, the board would set goals and standards for those divisions to meet.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, administrator of the South Shore commuter rail line, would report to the new board.

So would a bus service division created by the statute, which could spell the end of the Regional Bus Authority.

Dobis, author of the transit bill Kenley amended, voiced his disdain for the RBA during testimony Tuesday.

"Our RBA today, is a disaster," Dobis told the committee. "We have no idea where they're going."

Revealing a possible point of contention as the bill advances, committee member Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, defended the RBA.

"There are many among us who don't consider the RBA a disaster," she said.

Though she believes it will cut the RBA out of administering the region's troubled bus system, Rogers nonetheless voted for the proposal because it acknowledges the need for buses in Lake County.

Kenley's amendment stripped out of the bill language that would have directed $35 million in federal stimulus funds to South Shore rail projects in Lake County, Michigan City and South Bend.

The bill passed the Transportation Committee 8-0, and will next head to the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee for more debate.

Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, chairs Tax and Fiscal Policy.

He has expressed reservations about allowing Lake County to raise new taxes, arguing elected officials in Indiana's northwest corner haven't done enough to cut spending.

But Hershman said the cross-county membership of Kenley's board quiets his concerns.

"It makes me feel a little better that there would be a level of regional collaboration," he said.

Contact John Byrne at 317-631-7400 or jbyrne@post-trib.com

MCDERMOTT FORBIDS POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM SPEAKING AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-03-31T08:16:00.002-05:00

Dear Citizens of Hammond;

We have been informed that Mayor McDermott has prohibited his Police Department from providing this public service to Team Hammond's citizens. Chief Miller has known he has been on our agenda for over two months! Team Hammond's public dialog with the Mayor clearly stated that this was a public service that should be rendered to all Hammond citizens. The Mayor replied that such public service was not available to a group that openly opposed him during the last mayoral election.Team Hammond repeatedly stated the Mayor could rescind, and thereby recover from, his flawed decision. At this time, we must conclude, the Mayor will not reverse his decision.

Team Hammond regrets our immature mayor's position on this issue. We have always treated our guests with utmost respect, and Chief Miller would have been no exception. Chief Miller and his staff were to be recognized tonight for their advanced educational achievements.

Team Hammond is working to fill this gap in our programming with an alternate law enforcement source. Failing that, we will review updated FBI statistics and compile a citizen's analysis of improvements we would like to see from Hammond Public Safety.

From Jim Premeske - Team Hammond

HAMMOND POLICE CHIEF BRIAN MILLER TO SPEAK AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-03-28T09:44:00.001-05:00

Team Hammond' next general meeting will be this Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Public safety is the topic of March's meeting. Guest speakers for the evening include Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller who will speak on public safety in Hammond and its surrounding communities and what trends (such as gypsy scams) to look out for. Other speakers include Sgt. Robert Cobb who will do a gang presentation and Officer Scott Holbrook who will speak on crime statistics.

Public safety is an issue that impacts everyone. You do not have to be a resident of Hammond to attend; everyone is welcome.

For more information, please contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.

PATRIOT PAUL EXPRESSES HIS DISCONTENT WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS

2009-03-26T13:49:00.003-05:00

'REVOLT' RALLY AT STATEHOUSE NO TEA PARTY

2009-03-26T13:46:00.000-05:00

March 26, 2009
By John Byrne
Post-Tribune staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS -- By the time Jim Premeske of Hammond took the microphone at the "Revolt at the Statehouse" rally Wednesday morning, some in the crowd had begun to revolt against the rally, drifting away to chat with friends or peruse literature from interest groups in the rotunda.

But Premeske pressed his case for property tax elimination in Indiana on behalf of the Team Hammond taxpayer group to which he belongs.

He took note of Lake County's special place in the theology of Indiana government reform.

"If one were to define Indiana in terms of the book of Genesis, Lake County would be Gomorrah," Premeske said. "South Bend, home to (House Speaker Pat Bauer), might be considered Sodom."

Premeske, who began speaking more than a hour into the event, spoke in favor of Gov. Mitch Daniels' local government reform agenda, which appears dead this legislative session.

He also likened many elected officials to sociopaths, citing serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and film villain Hannibal Lecter as paradigms of the self-absorbed way politicians enrich themselves to the detriment of their constituents.

"Did you elect a Dahmer or a Hannibal?" Premeske asked.

His speech came near the end of a smorgasbord of complaints by Hoosiers fed up with Indiana government.

Julia Vaughn, policy director for Common Cause Indiana, told the sign-waving crowd of about 200 that big-money lobbyists are hijacking the legislative process with payouts to lawmakers.

"We have to suspend belief to think legislators aren't being influenced by millions of dollars of lunches and dinners and gifts and tickets," Vaughn said.

Attorney Gary Welsh, who publishes the Advance Indiana blog, urged fellow Hoosiers to stand up against requests for more public money by sports teams like the Pacers and the Colts.

Contact John Byrne at 317-631-7400 or jbyrne@post-trib.com.

PROTESTERS 'REVOLT' AT STATEHOUSE

2009-03-26T13:39:00.004-05:00

By Eric Bradner

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly 200 activists fed up with inaction by state government on a host of issues and filled with a revolutionary spirit flocked to the Statehouse from every corner of Indiana on Wednesday to stage a protest in the Capitol rotunda.

Their message: "The government is not paying attention to people at the grass-roots level, and they continue to ignore us at their own peril," said David Coker, former president of the Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association.

The group brought signs, shirts, bumper stickers and creative chants to express messages opposing government on nearly every level.

Speakers lined up to decry taxes and government spending as group members demanded the government act to abolish property taxes, overhaul local government, establish a "fair" sales tax, stop paying millions for new schools, boot undocumented immigrants out of the country and more.

The protest was called the "Revolt at the Statehouse." It was the second year the Libertarian-type activists gathered at the "People's House" to drum up publicity for their issues.

As one speaker claimed Indiana taxpayers had been "snookered, scammed, bamboozled, fleeced, hoodwinked" by House Speaker Patrick Bauer, others demanded the South Bend Democrat resign because the Legislature hasn't acted to write last year's property tax caps into the state's constitution.

Coker and two other members of the Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association were there to protest the proposed Downtown arena that Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel is backing.

"We're going to get shafted," said the association's current president , Frankie Neidhammer.

Martha Stott, another member of the Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association, said the Indiana Legislature's actions are affected by high-profile lobbyists who cause lawmakers to lose touch with their constituents.

"It's a shame the only people that don't have lobbyists up here are the taxpayers," she said.

As the protestors ended the raucous rally, Coker asked the day's pertinent question.
"I just wonder," he said, "if the leadership hears what we're saying?"

From the Evansville Courier Press

MARCH 25TH: REVOLT AT THE STATEHOUSE

2009-03-23T10:06:00.004-05:00

For Immediate Release Contact: Paul K. Ogden
March 23, 2009 (317) 531-6127 (cell)
(317) 631-0172 (work)
http://www.revoltatthestatehouse.com/

MEDIA ADVISORY
--Citizen Leaders Pay Call to Legislators; Demand Reforms--

Indianapolis – Attorney Paul K. Ogden, 47, today announced finalized plans regarding the taxpayer rally dubbed the “Revolt at the Statehouse” to be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the North Atrium.

The focus of the “Revolt” is the anger the average citizen has with government at all levels which has been captured by big money interests and does not listen to ordinary citizens.

Ogden cited the populist uprising in the country, which is noted on the cover of Newsweek that hits the newsstands today, as one of the reasons for the rally. “You are seeing a populist rage sweeping the country like you have not seen in decades. People are angry as they see their hard-earned money being taken to give out to failing companies, like AIG and others. In Indianapolis , leadership of both the Republican and Democratic Parties is deeply involved in a corporate welfare culture that silences even the most well-meaning party members who dare speak out for the interests of the taxpayers.”

Gary Welsh, author of the blog “Advance Indiana,” has tirelessly reported about the proposed Pacer bailout, the overly generous Colts-Lucas Oil Stadium deal as well as other issues related to the Capital Improvement Board and other local issues. Welsh notes, “The CIB is filled with members who have serious conflicts of interest, not the least of which is the President of the Board, who represents the Simons who own the Pacers. The individuals on the CIB clearly do not have the best interests of the people of Indianapolis in mind when they decide they need to give another $15 million of our tax money to billionaire sports owners.”

Melyssa Donaghy who runs the blog Hoosiers for Fair Taxation noted that people are fed up with the back door deals and lack of transparency in how government operates. “The Revolt will include a call for ethics reform, including more transparency. People need to know what is going on in their government,” Donaghy said. “The conflicts of interest many of these politicians have need to be exposed and ended. We should not have our elected officials using their positions to make themselves and their friends richer at the expense of taxpayers.”

The speakers will include Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians. Titles of some of the speeches include: “Increasing Debt: Mortgaging Our Children’s Future,” “The Colts, Pacers and the Capital Improvement Board,” “Run over by the Speedway Redevelopment Commission,” “Lobbying and Ethics Reform,” “Transparency and Accountability in Government,” “Pay to Play Politics, Indiana Style,” and “Fun and Games in Evansville .” A speaker list is included below.

###

REVOLT AT THE STATEHOUSE SPEAKERS
(Wednesday, March 25, 2009; 11:30 to 1 p.m.)

"Increasing Debt: Mortgaging our Children’s Future"
– Lisa Kelly, former Libertarian Candidate for Lt. Governor

"The Colts, Pacers and the Capital Improvement Board"
– Gary Welsh, Attorney at Law and Publisher of Advance Indiana blog

“Government Grants & Public Corruption”
– Rev. Solomon, Author and Community Activist

"Run Over By the Speedway Redevelopment Commission"
- JoEllen Dotlich, SPEED

"Pay to Play Politics, Indiana Style"
– Mark Small, Attorney at Law and Author

"Transparency and Accountability in Government"
– Diana Vice, Lafayette-area Housewife and political activist; Publisher of Welcome to My Tea Party blog

"Lobbying and Ethics Reform"
– Julia Vaughn, Policy Director of Common Cause/Indiana

"Overreaching Arm of State Government"
--Jim Premeske, Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group

"Fun and Games in Evansville "
– Frankie Neidhammer, President Vanderburgh County Taxpayers Association

"How to Get Involved & Make a Difference"
– Melyssa Donaghy, political activist and publisher of Hoosiers for Fair Taxation blog

"A Call to Action"
– Paul Ogden , Attorney at Law, and publisher of Ogden on Politics blog.

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED!!

2009-03-18T10:50:00.002-05:00

3/14/2009: Please keep reminding your elected public servants that the General Assembly needs to pass NOW the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1. You need to contact your State Representative, your State Senator, House Speaker Pat Bauer, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Crawford. Contact information can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/general_assembly_ratings.htm.

House Speaker Bauer has assigned SJR 1 to the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee. Subject to the intricacies of Indiana House Rules, there are three ways to get SJR 1 out of the House Ways and Means Committee to the floor of the House for a vote.

(1) SJR 1 can be passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee in time for a third reading no later than April 15. For SJR 1 to be considered like any other important bill, Speaker Bauer and Chairman Crawford would have to have a change of heart where they give working families the same respect they give single-interest property tax spenders. SJR 1 has been denied a Committee hearing because of false claims that it is necessary to wait a year to get more information about property tax cap effects. This delaying tactic was negated by the updated report issued on January 5, 2009, by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency that details the impact of property tax caps for every local government unit. If SJR 1 ends up being voted out of the House Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Crawford as the House sponsor of SJR 1 will still have to "call down" SJR 1 for both second reading amendments and a third reading vote on the House floor.

(2) Any State Representative can make a motion to suspend House Rule #85 and call SJR 1 back to the House from the Ways and Means Committee. The motion must be seconded by 51 State Representatives and 67 votes are required to pass the motion. In the current political environment, what this means is that 6 House Democrats must join 46 House Republicans to get the motion seconded, and 21 House Democrats are needed to pass the motion. It is unlikely that so many House Democrats will defy Speaker Bauer to champion the cause of working families.

(3) The House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee can pass a recommendation to suspend House Rule #85 and call SJR 1 back to the House from the Ways and Means Committee. The House may adopt the Committee recommendation by a vote of 51 State Representatives. If needed to pass SJR 1 on the April 29 last session day, 67 State Representatives can vote to use House Rule #83 to suspend the constitutional rule requiring a bill to be read on three separate meeting days. Because the Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee is controlled by Speaker Bauer, the best chance for SJR 1 passage this session is for Speaker Bauer to use this Committee to get SJR 1 to the House floor for a last-minute vote as part of a legislative compromise.

Governor Mitch Daniels, with the assistance of Senate Republicans, will have an opportunity at the end of this General Assembly session to reach a Taxpayer Friendly Compromise with Speaker Bauer. The Taxpayer Friendly Compromise should include passage of SJR 1 in return for accepting one of Speaker Bauer's legislative priorities (such as using some of the state's reserve funds in the next budget).

Hoosiers who value two-party Statehouse politics, or Hoosiers who identify with the Democratic Party, must convince Democrat leaders that it is good politics to allow an Indiana House vote this session on SJR 1. If there is no SJR 1 vote this year - no matter what is done next year - fully 60% of Hoosiers voting for State Representatives in 2010 will label Indiana Democrats as the party that opposes a fair and affordable state and local tax burden. No amount of campaign contributions from single-interest property tax spenders will be able to change this perception. Presidential politics was the tipping point that kept the Democratic Party in control of the Indiana House this year. There will be no presidential politics in 2010 to skew Statehouse election outcomes, and more 2010 Indiana House races will resemble the 2008 District 45 election than the 2008 District 89 outcome. The 2010 Indiana House election is particularly important because the next General Assembly will be responsible for redistricting. If House Democrat leaders block SJR 1 passage this year, enough House Democrats will be doomed to 2010 reelection failure that a Republican House will redistrict Indiana Democrats into irrelevance for the next decade!

APATHY IS NOT AN OPTION! You must ACT NOW if the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1 are to be saved! Otherwise, the single-interest property tax spenders will win and we will soon have NO property tax relief to show for the latest statewide sales tax increase. The constitutional property tax caps in SJR 1 are necessary for a more fair and affordable working family tax burden.

From Watchdog Indiana

PROPERTY TAX REPEAL IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

2009-03-18T10:42:00.002-05:00

Facts about Indiana Property Tax

It is the only tax in Indiana that is not transparent.

Property tax taxes a basic human need (shelter) and most citizens feel it is immoral of government to tax a basic physical need.

The State's Dirty Secret: Your property is used as collateral to secure bonds (State and Municipality spending loans).

Property tax caps will not fix the broken tax assessment and collection system.

Property tax caps will not change the fact that property tax is the most expensive tax to collect.

Property tax caps will not change the fact that your home will continue to be held to a subjective assessment performed by a government official or government contractor working within a very broken system.

Property tax caps mean that farmers, landlords, and businesses will pay a higher property tax than everyone else and will make taxation non-uniform and equal as required by Indiana's constitution!

Property tax caps mean landlords pay a higher property tax and will have to pass their tax on to renters.

Property tax caps mean that farmers who raise our food will pay a higher tax and have to pass the tax on to everyone who eats the food they raise.

Property tax caps means that businesses will pay higher tax and have to pass the bill on to every customer who buys their products and may make it harder for Indiana businesses to compete.

There are 150 other transparent fees and taxes in Indiana.

The property tax burden can be shifted to one or more of the other 150 forms of transparent taxation.

The property tax system is broken...literally, it doesn't work. Ask the assessors who were made the political scape goats for the state's incompetence how impossible the broken system is to work within.

At least two world class economists wrote plans for property tax repeal that WILL work.

Thousands of Indiana property tax appeals have not been settled.

Local muncipalities are forced to borrow shortfalls from the bond bank on still uncollected 2007 tax due to complete broken state of administration of property tax assessment and collection.

Property tax is the most expensive tax to collect.

When property tax is repealed in Indiana our economic engine will boom and Indiana will attract record numbers of investors.

From Hoosiers for Fair Taxation

REVOLT AT THE STATE HOUSE

2009-03-13T14:37:00.000-05:00

THE TRUTH? CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?

2009-03-08T14:29:00.002-05:00

By: Mark Kiesling
Sunday, March 08, 2009

I can't tell you how much I dislike the overused cliche about "speaking truth to power" but that is what Gov. Mitch Daniels did to an overflow crowd in Griffith on Friday.

That's right. The governor is not the power, you are.

You vote. You put the decision-makers in office. You deserve the government you get, and in Lake County's case, "you are entitled to all the crummy, graft-ridden government you are prepared to pay for," as Daniels put it.

His message was to clean house at a local level before appealing for assistance on a state level, and even from a Lake County point of view it's hard to see where his logic goes wrong.

"I can't get a business to come to Lake County if they think they are going to get ripped off on arrival," he said.

The Griffith Town Council and Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group sponsored Daniels' visit to Griffith High School on Friday and they got what they wanted -- a blunt message delivered with the subtlety of a train wreck and the charm of a tire iron.

Daniels bruised the feelings of some Lake County pols Friday. Cry me a river.

One of the smartest things Daniels has done as governor is to appoint a former political opponent, ex-Gov. Joe Kernan, as the co-chairman of a panel that came up with a report on how to reform, streamline and maximize efficiency in local and state government.What was the reaction of the Lake County contingent? To exempt Lake County from the reform.

Our situation is "unique," said state Sen. Sue Landske, the Cedar Lake Republican who voted with state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, for the exemption, as well as sinking a move to eliminate township government and revamp county government through constitutional changes.

Lake County Surveyor George Van Til, a Democrat who often finds himself at odds politically with Daniels, nevertheless called "eliminating township boards a no-brainer," and said "excluding Lake County from the reforms was a cop-out, it's wrong, it an insult and does us all a disservice."

Lake County Republican Chairman John Curley, who would normally be expected to support the governor, chastised him instead. "I don't think it fits what should be happening in Lake County," he said. "Sue (Landske) looked at the whole bill, and thought it looked better for Lake County the way she voted. We'll have to wait and see how this thing shakes out."

It may be that Curley as Winfield Township trustee-assessor has a personal stake in this, but so does Van Til. The bill to amend the constitution would eliminate his elected surveyor position and replace it with an appointment.

Politics makes strange bedfellows indeed, to use another workhorse cliche.

When is Lake County going to wake up?

The opinions are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at markk@nwitimes.com or (219) 933-4170

GOVERNOR UNLOADS ON LAKE COUNTY POLITICIANS

2009-03-07T08:26:00.002-06:00

By John Byrne
Post-Tribune staff writer

GRIFFITH -- Gov. Mitch Daniels is fed up with Lake County government and he's tired of pretending he isn't.

During a wide-ranging question-and-answer period with locals at Griffith High School on Friday, Daniels returned time and again to one point: Lake County will remain alienated from the rest of the state until voters here hold public officials to a higher standard.

"You are entitled to all the lousy, crummy, graft-ridden government you want and are willing to pay for," Daniels told a crowd of about 450 people, one of the largest turnouts he said he's seen at such a forum.

Daniels was invited to Griffith by Team Hammond, a property tax reform group, to discuss tax caps and township government reform.

The governor said those issues are symptoms of the broader political culture that makes Lake County a black sheep in the eyes of many Hoosiers.

"Ultimately nobody, not me, not anybody, can advocate for Lake County and Northwest Indiana unless there is some evidence the people here are prepared to clean up the act that has made the rest of the state look sideways at Lake County for a long time," Daniels said.

Some local officials in the audience bristled at Daniels' characterizations, with North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan Jr. calling it "unacceptable" for Daniels to sling arrows at Lake County elected officials as a group.

"I have made my career of five or six years at the township about reform, lowering payroll and cutting taxes," Mrvan said.

With Lake County's public transit systems in peril, Mrvan said local township offices that provide poor relief are becoming ever more important to people who'd find it difficult to travel to the county government center in Crown Point if the service gets centralized there.

"It takes 42 minutes to get to the county from my township," Mrvan said.

Some in the audience shouted for Mrvan to sit down.

Others applauded and yelled, "He has a right to speak."

Daniels also faced skepticism from residents who questioned the real benefit of eliminating townships.

Rita Jackson of North Township asked how the governor can guarantee she would actually see a lower tax bill if her township ceases to exist.

"There are no guarantees," Daniels said, before he guaranteed that poor relief could be more efficiently distributed than it is in Calumet Township.

The governor agreed that most of Indiana's elected officials have the best interests of their constituents at heart.

But he returned to his frequent complaint that Indiana's patchwork of 1,008 townships is a hopelessly antiquated, inefficient system that must be retired.

And he agreed his rhetoric on Lake County is getting harsher the longer he sees resistance here to change.

"I guess after five years of trying to speak always to the positive and encourage people to move in a positive direction, that I'm trying to express candidly my thought that I'm a little tired of waiting," he said.

Contact John Byrne at (317) 631-7400 or jbyrne@post-trib.com.

TEAM HAMMOND PRESENTS GOVERNOR DANIELS WITH TAXPAYER FRIENDLY AWARD

2009-03-06T22:11:00.003-06:00

Members of Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group present Governor Mitch Daniels with a "taxpayer friendly" award for his continuing work on property tax and government reform. The award was presented after the town hall meeting at Griffith High School Auditorium on Friday, March 6, 2009.

TRIPLE DIP AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ICE CREAM

2009-03-06T21:27:00.004-06:00

The next Hammond City Council meeting on Monday, March 9, should prove to be interesting if not downright entertaining.

Councilman Al Salinas plans on introducing a resolution appointing himself to a seat on the Port Authority Board.

The same seat Councilman Bob Markovich was appointed to by the city council and whose appointment is being disputed by Mayor McDermott.

McDermott has asked Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller for an opinion on council members holding two paying positions.

Now that's really rich. McDermott is complaining about Markovich double dipping as a councilman and port authority board member.

What about Councilman Kalwinski double dipping as a councilman and port authority board member?

What about when Scott Rakos was double dipping as a Hammond firefighter and a port authority board member?

And Councilman Salinas not only double dips as a street department foreman and 2nd District councilman, he wants to become a port authority board member and triple dip!

If the mayor wants the rules to apply to Councilman Markovich, then they should apply to the other councilmen and city employees as well.

GOVERNOR DANIELS TO MEET WITH LAKE COUNTY TAX ACTIVISTS

2009-02-27T18:17:00.003-06:00

Governor Mitch Daniels will be making a town hall appearance on March 6th, 12:00 Noon at the Griffith High School Auditorium. He will visit with members of Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group and Griffith citizens on the issues of Property Tax Relief and Government Reform. He wants to hear from Lake County residents who support local government reform.

The event is co-hosted by George T. Janiec of Team Hammond Taxpayers Group and the Griffith Town Council.

We encourage all Lake County taxpayers and voters that are concerned about Property Tax Relief and Government Reform to attend.There will be an opportunity to ask Governor Daniels questions about the pending legislation.

For additional information or questions call George T. Janiec - 678.6761 or Rick Ryfa – 924-7500 or visit http://www.griffith.in.gov/ and http://www.teamhammondtaxpayersgroup.org/

TALK ABOUT AN END-AROUND PLAY!

2009-02-27T12:26:00.004-06:00

Here's another example of taxpayer unfriendly legislation currently making its way through the Indiana house:

HOUSE BILL 1730

Green project public approval exception. Indicates that a project for the reconstruction, repair, alteration or retrofitting of a public building or structure to bring it into compliance with certain energy and environmental design standards is not subject to petition and remonstrance or referenda procedures.

What this bill does is to exempt public works projects from remonstrance or referendum under the guise of "being a green" or environmentally friendly project.

So this is how school boards (new Hammond high school) and elected officials are going to get around the taxpayers by claiming their "pork barrel" projects are environmentally friendly! Taxpayers will have no voice in these projects.

All the more reason for taxpayers to go down to Indianapolis on Wednesday, March 25 and make their themselves heard to our state legislators.

MEDIA ADVISORY: REVOLT AT THE STATE HOUSE

2009-02-25T22:49:00.001-06:00

For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul K. Ogden
February 25, 2009
http:revoltatthestatehouse.blogspot.com

Indianapolis – Attorney Paul Ogden, 47, today announced plans to hold a taxpayer rally at the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The rally, which is called “Revolt at the State House,” is supported by several local political blogs including “Ogden on Politics” and “Hoosiers for Fair Taxation” and various taxpayer groups not only in Indianapolis but all across the state.The rally will focus chiefly on issues relating to corporate welfare, Indiana style “pay to play” politics, property tax reform, and the need for transparency and ethics reform. Particular topics are likely to include: “The Colts, Pacers & the Capital Improvement Board, “Pay to Play Politics, Indiana Style: Campaign Contributions & Government Contracts,” “The Executive and Legislative Revolving Door,” “Corporate Welfare – How Politicians Have Used Our Tax Money to Make the Rich Richer.”

Speakers, which will include Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians, will be announced at a later date.

Ogden stated: “One of the primary goals of the rally is to bring to the attention the issue of our taxpayer money being taken from hardworking men and women to make the rich richer. The situation with the Colts and Pacers is a perfect example, albeit just one example. The Mayor’s Office, the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana General Assembly need to be asking the Colts and Pacers for concessions rather than asking average taxpayers to shell out more of their hard-earned money to make the Irsays and Simons wealthier.”

Ogden noted the tremendous work blogger Gary Welsh of Advance Indiana had done on this issue of corporate welfare in Indianapolis and that part of the purpose of the rally was to take these types of issues from the pages of the political blogs directly to the General Assembly.

Melyssa Donaghy of Hoosiers for Fair Taxation also noted that the rally will include the need for ethics reform. “Part of this rally will include a call for transparency, that the average person needs to be able to know what is going on in government,” Donaghy said. “The conflicts of interest many of these politicians have need to be exposed and ended. We should not have our elected officials using their positions to make themselves and their friends richer.”

More details on the “Revolt at the Statehouse” will be provided at a later date.

RECAP OF TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-02-25T10:03:00.007-06:00

A decent turnout attended the Team Hammond general meeting at the Galaxy Hall in Hessville on Tuesday night.

George Janiec opened the meeting with an update on the February county council meeting. Most of the county council meeting centered around a hobby farm in unincorporated Lake County; how many roosters are too many and how many roosters are not enough? After much spirited debate, a compromise was finally reached.

He also talked about the county option income tax. The issue is not dead and can be resurrected at any time. County Commissioners Scheub and DuPey are still adamant about vetoing the income tax. Pressure needs to continue on our county council members to vote against an income tax.

George also touched on the food and beverage tax as a funding mechanism for the RBA and the elimination of bus service not only in Hammond but in Gary and East Chicago too. House Bill 1660 will create regional transportation districts in each of Indiana's 92 counties. These districts will have the power to enact a county option income tax, a county economic development tax, a food and beverage tax, and fees on vehicles. The RTD boards will be made up of local elected officials. House Bill 1660 likely will not pass the General Assembly this year but will most likely be resurrected in the 2010 legislative session. Taxpayers need to urge their legislators to vote against this taxpayer unfriendly legislation.

The single most important legislation in the 2009 General Assembly is Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would make the property tax caps permanent. It needs to be voted on and approved in this legislative session in order for a voter referendum to take place in 2010. House Speaker Pat Bauer is dragging his feet on SJR1 because he feels the ramnifications of the tax caps on city and county governments are not fully known. However, every year they delay in approving SJR1 only makes permanent tax relief harder to achieve.

Monday night's Hammond city council meeting was covered next. Councilman Kalwinski introduced a resolution rescinding Councilman Bob Markovich's appointment to the Port Authority Board. Attorney Berger said Markovich could only be removed if there was malfeasance in office. After much discussion, appeals and tabling of motions, the council voted 5-4 to rescind Markovich's appointment. Larry Rapchak reported that at the premeeting of the Port Authority, Councilman Markovich had not been allowed to take his place on the Port Authority Board. The matter will most likely end up in court.

Larry Rapchak next gave an update on the E-verify legislation (Senate Bill 580) pending in the General Assembly. E-verify legislation was eliminated from the federal stimulus package so it is very important that Indiana approve Senate Bill 580. E-verify is a simple process employers can use to verify if new employees are legal citizens. Senate Bill 580 is taxpayer friendly.

JoAnn Palko covered two more bills in the General Assembly. Senate Bill 452 would move municipal elections to even numbered years, move school board elections to the fall elections, consolidate precinct polling places in centralized voting centers, and ban public employees from running for office in the same entity in which they work. Senate Bill 232 which would have given the judges the right to fine public entities for violating open-door and public records laws. This legislative has been voted down but hopefully, can be revived before the legislative session ends in April.

Palko also stressed it is important to continue to contact your state representatives and state senators about pending legislation in the General Assembly especially SJR1, House Bill 1660, Senate Bill 580, and Senate Bill 452. Handouts were given with contact information on our area state legislators.

On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, there will be a rally at 5:00 p.m. against the proposed 15% NIPSCO rate increase at Savannah Hall at Indiana University Northwest. The event is hosted by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), and it is important to give the IURC your input as to why this rate increase should not be granted.

On Friday, March 6, 2009, Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group and other taxpayer advocates will be meeting with Governor Daniels to discuss government reform. The meeting will take place in the Griffith High School auditorium. The time of meeting will be forthcoming as soon as details are firmed up with the governor's staff.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, there will be a taxpayer rally at the Indiana State House for Hoosiers who are fed up with their government. The rally begins at 11:30 a.m. (10:30 our time).
Taxpayer groups from around the state will be in attendance, and there will be press coverage of the event. Carpooling will be available for those who would like to attend. This is the time to make your voice heard.

Team Hammond's next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 31 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church. On the agenda is public safety (with info on gangs in Hammond) and crime statistics. Guest speakers for the evening include Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY IN HAMMOND CITY GOVERNMENT

2009-02-25T09:03:00.004-06:00

After attending the Hammond City Council Monday night, it has become more than apparent that there is no democracy in our city government.

The purpose of the city council is to provide checks and balances for a fair and equal system of city government.

Not so in Hammond.

It's disgusting we have city council members (Dan Repay, Al Salinas, Kathy Pucalik, Joanne Matanovich, and Mark Kalwinski) who continue to be a rubber stamp for the mayor. They are not representing the best interests of their constituents. They are representing the best interests of the mayor. That is not democracy; that is a dictatorship.

And it's really a shame that when during the course of the city council meeting, the mayor and his sidekick lawyer, Kevin Smith, pull certain city council members out of the meeting to meet with them privately. What kind of secret deals and agreements were being hashed out to get these city council members to vote a certain, we mean the mayor's, way?

McDermott is nothing more than a vindictive bully in the schoolyard. The only way is his way! To hell with the taxpayers and citizens of Hammond! Compromise and being a gracious loser are not in his vocabulary. And he aspires to be governor of Indiana?

The mayor has it perfectly clear he does not like Councilman Markovich. Why is that? Because Bob looks out for the Hammond taxpayers and doesn't rubber stamp the mayor's pet projects?
Why is the mayor so against Bob being on the Port Authority? It's not a simple case of the mayor not liking Bob. Is it because McDermott doesn't want Bob poking his nose in the Port Authority's finances? Is it because Markovich might find out where all the money is actually going and blow the whistle?

We say shame on Repay, Salinas, Matanovich, Pucalik, and Kalwinski for what they pulled on Bob Markovich on Monday night. If Councilman Markovich seeks legal action, there is no one to blame but yourselves.

What happened at the city council meeting Monday night was a disgrace to the citizens of Hammond. It was city government at its worst. It's too bad citizens don't have the option of recalling their elected officials in Hammond. Because we know five city councilpersons and one mayor who need to be recalled.

COMING TO THE INDIANA STATE HOUSE

2009-02-20T08:24:00.004-06:00

This non-partisan event will be widely publicized in the next month to all corners of the state by a network of tax and policy activists who led the 2007 Property Tax Protests and The Indiana Tea Party.

Our ranks have grown much larger in two years.

Experts will speak candidly at the event on all subjects of concern to The People, such as Education Spending, Cronyism, Corporate Welfare, Property Tax, and those shameful politicians who put party before the needs of their citizen employers.

Be warned. Our experts will shock you with their first hand knowledge of the shenanigans and arrogance of many of our government officials. Some of public servants even laugh at us behind our backs.

The theme of our revolt is "RULE OF LAW" & "TRANSPARENCY".

At the conclusion of the event, we will present a plan to our public servants in the legislature to bring full transparency of government directly into every citizen's home. Our team of lawyers are working on it now.

Please put the date on your calendar now, get the time off work if you need to, and make arrangements to come to do your part to control your government. Because that's the only way it can get done. It is our responsibility.

The Justice League of activists are doing the hard part. You just need to tell everyone you know to spend an hour and half with us at the Indiana State House on March 25th to demand Transparency and The Rule of Law.

More details will follow throughout the next month.

From Hoosiers for Fair Taxation

February 20, 2009

TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING

2009-02-19T09:09:00.003-06:00

Team Hammond will hold its next general meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the Galaxy Hall, 6723 Kennedy Avenue in Hessville. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Items on the agenda include the county option income tax, funding for public transportation, government reform, Senate Joint Resolution 1 and other legislation in the 2009 General Assembly.

Anyone residing in Lake County who supports property tax reform and good government and wants to become better informed on government issues is welcome to attend this meeting.

DANIELS' TOWNSHIP REFORMS WIPED OUT

2009-02-19T09:04:00.002-06:00

Senators defeat measures aimed at restructuring local government

By Mary Beth Schneider
mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com

Gov. Mitch Daniels' hopes of eliminating townships and otherwise restructuring local government suffered multiple blows Wednesday, as several bills he supported were gutted or defeated in Indiana Senate committees.

Advocates of the reforms blamed the setbacks on an entrenched political network in which lawmakers protect their friends in township government. Critics hailed the legislative defeats as a victory for maintaining decentralized government that is closest to the public.

Among the victims:

Bills to do away with township government, including one focused on Marion County. But senators passed amendments that would ban the future hiring of township officials' relatives and would require township budgets -- typically fat with reserves that vastly exceed the budgets -- to be reviewed by county councils.

A bill to consolidate smaller school districts was pulled from consideration without a vote.

A proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate some county offices as constitutionally required was voted down.

Daniels has made the reforms a centerpiece of his second term, and this week he went on the road to try to build support for them with former Gov. Joe Kernan, who was co-chairman of a commission that recommended the restructuring.

On Wednesday, Kernan's office had no comment about the township bills other than to say it would continue to monitor them.

But Daniels was sharp in his criticism of the votes of two Republicans -- Sens. Jim Buck of Kokomo and Sue Landske of Cedar Lake -- who joined four Democrats in voting against the constitutional amendment.

"I'll make no comment about Democrats all voting against reform, but when it comes to two members of my party, I'm disappointed in them and embarrassed for them. We'll try again next year," Daniels said in a statement.

Marilyn Schultz, a former Democratic state representative now leading the reform effort at mysmartgov.org, said her group is "profoundly disappointed the township bill was so gutted."
"There's a reason why things haven't changed for the last 150 years, since we've known it was a problem," Schultz said of Indiana government. "It's very entrenched local politics and it's the good ol' boy-girl network at its very strongest."

But she and other supporters of the reforms said they haven't given up hope that the issues can be resurrected before this session ends April 29.

She also pointed to a couple of successes:

Senate Bill 506, which passed 30-19, would set up a process for counties (other than Marion and Lake) to move to a single county executive or a board of supervisors, unless voters choose otherwise.

Senate Bill 452, which bars a local government employee from serving on his or her own unit's elected body, passed 32-18.

Those bills, and any hope of reviving the other reforms, would need to clear the Democrat- controlled House. But the odds of that don't appear good.

House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, repeated what he has said all session: Lawmakers' focus must be on job creation in light of the economic downturn.

He said he would review the bills that pass the Senate but added, "They spent an awful lot of time over there (in the Senate) on those bills and really came up with very little."

Sen. Connie Lawson, the Danville Republican who had fought to eliminate township government in Senate Bill 512, said she was disappointed at having to gut her own bill as the only way to keep the issue moving in the legislature.

"The township bill is still alive. It might be floundering, but it's still alive," Lawson said. "Whatever progress we can make is a step in the right direction."

The Senate Local Government Committee she leads rebuffed her suggested compromise to keep townships but eliminate their boards.

In the end, Lawson had to settle for simply barring nepotism in future hires -- though current employees who are related to township officials can keep their jobs -- and with having county councils review and approve township budgets.

Under that compromise, councils would examine the cash reserves of townships if they exceed 10 percent of their budgets to at least question whether the surplus should be spent before taxpayers are asked for more.

That issue recently was highlighted by The Indianapolis Star in a story that found Indiana's 1,008 townships are sitting on $200 million of reserves, about 10 times their annual budgets. For some townships, the reserves amounted to hundreds of times more than their budgets.
Lawson blamed the defeat in large part on a lack of political will.

"There's only so much political will a legislator is willing to expend," she said. "It's difficult to change because we know the people who are operating our township governments. It's always difficult to put aside personalities."

Sen. Teresa Lubbers, R-Indianapolis, said she remains optimistic that one reform -- SB 521, consolidating the administration of smaller school districts -- could be revisited, if not this session, then next year.

From The Indianapolis Star
February 19, 2009

UNDER THE "IT'S BETTER TO BE SILENT AND THOUGHT A FOOL, THAN TO SPEAK AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT" HEADING

2009-02-18T13:58:00.002-06:00

" I know the mayor has alot to do with who gets those contracts, and I know that because I am a mayor," McDermott said.

Did McDermott go to the same school as Blagojevich?

TAXPAYER FRIENDLY OR UNFRIENDLY LEGISLATION

2009-02-18T11:27:00.006-06:00

Listed below is legislation that is currently being considered in the 2009 General Assembly. We will denote if these bills or resolutions are taxpayer and citizen friendly or not and whether they should be approved in this legislative session.

HOUSE BILL 1660 & SENATE BILL 479

Establishes regional transportation districts in each of Indiana's 92 counties. RTD boards are appointed local elected officials. Gives RTD's unlimited power to enact county option income taxes, county economic development income taxes, a food and beverage tax, a vehicle registration fee and a special benefits property tax.

VERY TAXPAYER UNFRIENDLY
VOTE NO ON BOTH BILLS

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 1
Circuit breaker and other property tax matters. If SJR 1 is approved in 2009, a referendum in 2010 would give voters the opportunity to make the property tax caps (1% for homeowners, 2% for landlords and 3% for businesses) permanent in the Indiana Constitution.

TAXPAYER FRIENDLY
VOTE YES TO APPROVE

SENATE BILL 232

Fines for violation of open-door law. Civil penalties of up to $1,000 for officers and employees of a public agency as well as the agency itself for violating public records and open-door laws.

TAXPAYER & CITIZEN FRIENDLY
VOTE YES TO APPROVE

SENATE BILL 452

Election changes and banning dual-office holders. Moves municipal elections to even-numbered years and school board elections to fall general elections. Consolidates precincts into centralized voting centers. Bans public employees from holding office in the same unit of government in which they work.

TAXPAYER & CITIZEN FRIENDLY
VOTE YES TO APPROVE

SENATE BILL 580

Illegal immigration and E-Verify system. Would require employers to use the federal E-verify system to check workplace eligibility of new hires. Illegal immigration cost the state of Indiana $259 million in 2006 and is expected to rise to $434 million in 2010.

TAXPAYER FRIENDLY
VOTE YES TO APPROVE

HOUSE BILL 1406 & SENATE BILL 512

Elimination of Townships. The township form of government is archaic and needs to be eliminated. Township services can be transferred to the county.

TAXPAYER FRIENDLY
VOTE YES TO APPROVE

Contact your state legislators and ask them to vote in favor of SJR 1, SB 232, SB 452, SB 580, HB 1406 and SB 512. Also ask them to vote against SB 479 and HB 1660 (these are very bad news for taxpayers).

Be aware that any legislation making its way through the General Assembly is subject to many revisions. What was originally proposed may not always be what a final vote is taken on.
Go to this website, http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo, to check on the status of any 2009 proposed legislation.

SENATE BILL 452 IS TAXPAYER FRIENDLY

2009-02-16T12:01:00.002-06:00

Senate Bill 452 moves municipal elections to even numbered year, school board elections to the fall general election, consolidates precincts into centralized voting centers, and prohibits employees from serving as elected officials within the same government unit. Watchdog Indiana
has examined Senate Bill 452, explains its merits and why it should be voted into law by the 2009 General Assembly.

Senate Bill 452
Kernan-Shepard Election Provisions

The SB 452 provisions that prohibit employees of a local government unit from serving as elected officials within the same local government unit are Taxpayer Friendly. It is a clear conflict of interest for public employees to benefit from their actions as elected officials. Also, the chain of command and procedures for discipline are upheld when employees of a local government unit do not serve as elected policymakers for that unit.

The SB 452 provisions that move the elections of municipal officers to even-numbered years are Taxpayer Friendly because (1) eliminating odd-year municipal elections will lower election costs and (2) voter turnout will likely be greater. Moving all school board member elections to the November general election in even-numbered years will also likely increase voter turnout.
The SB 452 provisions establishing the use of vote centers as an option for all counties are Taxpayer Friendly because elections are expected to be more efficient.

It is Taxpayer Friendly that a city clerk-treasurer in a third class city be required to attend training provided by the state board of accounts concerning a fiscal officer's duties and responsibilities.

In conclusion, the Taxpayer Friendly SB 452 provisions include the following:

(1) prohibiting employees of a local government unit from serving as elected officials within the same local government unit,

(2) moving the elections of municipal officers to even-numbered years,

(3) moving all school board member elections to the November general election in even-numbered years,

(4) establishing the use of vote centers as an option for all counties, and

(5) requiring a city clerk-treasurer in a third class city to attend fiscal officer training provided by the state board of accounts.

From Watchdog Indiana

PAY ATTENTION TO THESE TWO BILLS

2009-02-14T16:38:00.004-06:00

In an earlier post, we wrote about Senate Bill 479 (Bill 1660 is the House's version) that would create regional transportation districts in every Indiana county.

Senate Bill 479 reads as follows: permits counties to establish a regional transportation district to plan, design, acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, renovate, maintain, equip, finance, operate, and support public transportation systems. Establishes a fee on vehicle registrations, and permits the creation of allocation areas, the establishment of a special allocation of county option income taxes, and the imposition of a food and beverage tax, a county economic development income tax, or a special benefits property tax to provide funding to regional transportation districts. Permits other public transportation agencies to merge into a regional transportation district. Requires the governor to appoint a deputy commissioner for the department of transportation to assist the commissioner with the public transportation responsibilities of the department. Current Status:

Did you pay attention to the sentence that was highlighted?

Each county RTD will have the power to enact income and food and beverage taxes, a special benefits property tax and a vehicle registration fee. They will have the power to enact these fees and taxes, and there will be no one to stop them. They will have absolute unlimited power in their quest for RTD money.

The members of a county's RTD board will be made up of local elected officials. Not average citizens like you and me but Lake County elected officials. Talk about the fox guarding the henhouse!

The RTD board will make decisions that will affect everyone living in Lake County. Do you want a county option income tax? Do you want a food and beverage tax? Do you want to pay a vehicle registration fee? Haven't you had enough with the property taxes in Lake County?

Why should the RTD have this kind of power to tax and spend at their whim and without any taxpayer recourse?

The two RTD bills are Senate Bill 479 and House Bill 1660.

Start calling, e-mailing or writing your state representatives and senators. Tell them you oppose Senate Bill 479 and House Bill 1660 because it is not in the best interests of the taxpayers, and it gives unlimited power to a board without any checks and balances.

Listed below are the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for our local state officials:

Phone numbers for the House of Representatives are: 1-800-382-9842 or 1-317-232-9600.

Phone numbers for the State Senate are: 1-800-382-9467 or 1-317-232-9400.

Linda Lawson, State Representative, District 1
h1@in.gov

Earl Harris, State Representative, District 2
h2@in.gov

Charlie Brown, State Representative, District 3
h3@in.gov

Ed Soliday, State Representative, District 4
h4@in.gov

Dan Stevenson, State Representative, District 11
h11@in.gov

Mara Candelaria Reardon, State Representative, District 12
h12@in.gov

Chet Dobis, State Representative, District 13
h13@in.gov

Vernon Smith, State Representative, District 14
h14@in.gov

Don Lehe, State Representative, District 15
h15@in.gov

Shelli VanDenburgh, State Representative, District 19
h19@in.gov

Frank Mrvan, State Senator, District 1
s1@in.gov

Lonnie Randolph, State Senator, District 2
s2@in.gov

Earline Rogers, State Senator, District 3
s3@in.gov

Karen Tallian, State Senator, District 4
s4@in.gov

Ed Charbonneau, State Senator, District 5
s5@in.gov

Sue Landske, State Senator, District 6
s6@in.gov

If you like the idea of more taxes, then do nothing and you will get your wish.

However, if you are against any new taxes and fees, then now is the time to contact the above officials (and the governor, too) and tell them "NO" to Senate Bill 479 and House Bill 1660 and "NO" to any new taxes until they get their spending under control.

The choice is yours.

CHALLENGING THE OPPONENTS OF PROPERTY TAX CAPS

2009-02-14T11:31:00.003-06:00

From our friends at Watchdog Indiana:

This E-mail Update challenges the General Assembly opponents of the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1 to debate the merits of their position in public outside the Statehouse shadows. The key points include the following:

1. SJR 1 opponents falsely claim they need more information before they can take a responsible SJR 1 vote.

2. The net effect of 2010 property tax caps on the total expenditures of Indiana's K-12 public school systems will be negligible.

3. The 2010 property tax caps will have NO significant impact on essential service delivery by the great majority of Indiana's 566 cities and towns.

4. SJR 1 opponents are afraid to debate their position outside the Statehouse shadows.

5. Governor Mitch Daniels did his part to support a public SJR 1 debate in his State of The State Address on January 13.

6. Watchdog Indiana challenges every SJR 1 opponent in the General Assembly to a public debate.

7. Watchdogs must act now to insist that General Assembly SJR 1 opponents publicly debate their positions and not hide in the Statehouse shadows.

SJR 1 opponents falsely claim they need more information before they can take a responsible SJR 1 vote. The state's non-partisan Legislative Services Agency issued on January 5, 2009, an updated report of the property tax revenue decline that every local government unit can expect as a result of the property tax caps in 2009, 2010, and 2011. EVERYONE can go to http://www.in.gov/legislative/pdf/CircuitBreaker_2009_BASELINE_20090105.pdf to complete their own analysis of the LSA report. Watchdog Indiana has updated the following two in-depth analyses:

(1) K-12 Schools Impact. The net effect of 2010 property tax caps on the total expenditures of Indiana's K-12 public school systems will be negligible. The state's 293 K-12 public school systems will experience a net revenue decline of $41,631,042. This $41.6 million property tax caps revenue decline is only 0.3% of the $13.5 billion grand total spending by Indiana's schools in 2007. Of the 293 school systems, 286 will experience a revenue decline that is less than 1%. Six school systems will experience a 1% to 2% decline, while only one will experience a decline that is 2.5%. Complete analysis details can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/caps_schools_impact.htm.

(2) Municipal Impact. The 2010 property tax caps will have NO significant impact on essential service delivery by the great majority of Indiana's 566 cities and towns. The great majority of cities and towns - 486 or 85.9% - will have their budgeted funds that include property tax levies impacted 5.0% or less by the 2010 property tax caps. The remaining cities and towns will have their 2010 property tax funds impacted 5.1 % or more. Of Indiana's 92 counties, 17 counties MAY need to consider a local option income tax in lieu of finding less expensive ways to maintain essential municipal services for many citizens. Anyone who uses property tax caps in the other 75 counties to justify the imposition of a LOIT is mistaken or intentionally misleading you. Complete analysis details can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/caps_municipal_impact.htm.

The false claim calling for more SJR 1 information is nothing more than a delaying tactic based on a cynical belief that public interest will wane and the old ways of doing business can return - a burdensome property tax on working families no matter how much other taxes go up. The real reasons to support the single-interest property tax spenders at the expense of the property tax payers are not discussed in public. SJR 1 opponents are afraid to debate their position outside the Statehouse shadows.

Governor Mitch Daniels did his part to support a public SJR 1 debate in his State of The State Address on January 13. He dedicated more than 10 percent of his Address to beseeching the General Assembly to "show your faith in our fellow citizens" by passing SJR 1 now. Governor Daniels eloquently made the point that "procrastination will add nothing to what we know." The Governor's complete Address can be found at http://www.in.gov/gov/09stateofstate.htm.

DANIELS TRIES TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR REFORM

2009-02-13T10:38:00.002-06:00

By Mary Beth Schneider
mary.beth.schneider@indystar.com

Hoping to build public support for government reforms that range from eliminating townships to consolidating library and small school districts, Gov. Mitch Daniels and former Gov. Joe Kernan will hold the first of several "meetups" in Kokomo on Tuesday.

The lobbying push by the two governors may be needed. The bills have come under fire in the Republican-controlled Senate, while the leadership of the Democrat-controlled House has yet to commit to even giving the bills a hearing, much less passing them.

Additional "meetups" will feature Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and former Democrat Rep. Marilyn Schultz, who is now executive director of Mysmartgov.org, a group formed to advocate for the reforms, who will go to Terre Haute on Feb. 20.

Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard and former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis will go to Evansville on Feb. 25.

Kernan, a Democrat, and Shepard, a Republican, were co-chairmen of a local government reform commission which Daniels' appointed.

So far, though, only two bills have made it out of committee. One would create a single chief county executive and eliminate county commissioners in all but Marion and Lake counties. The other would bar public employees from simultaneously serving as an officeholder in their same unit of government, and also move school board elections to November, and have all muncipal officeholders elected in even-numbered years.

In a news conference in his Statehouse office with Mysmartgov.org and business leaders -- including Kevin Brinegar, president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce who also is board chairman of Mysmartgov.org -- Daniels said he's optimistic the reforms will pass.

The lobbying effort is important, though, to help what he called "the definitively good government" effort.

"If only the special interests are heard, then these bills will have difficulty," he said.

Asked about the opposition by some lawmakers, Daniels said that "politicians protecting politicians is neither new nor very pretty sight, ever."

But, he said, polls have shown the public wants the reforms.

From the Indianapolis Star
February 13, 2009

LOBBYIST INQUIRY APPEARS TO BE WIDENING

2009-02-11T18:08:00.002-06:00

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors are looking into the possibility that a prominent lobbyist may have funneled bogus campaign contributions to his mentor, Representative John P. Murtha, as well as other lawmakers, two people familiar with the investigator’s questions said Tuesday.

Employees of the PMA Group, the firm founded by the lobbyist, Paul Magliocchetti, have given a total of more than $1 million to political campaigns over the last three election cycles, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

In the first half of 2007, the PMA Group and its clients contributed more than $500,000 to three congressmen, Mr. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who is chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, and his close allies on the panel, Representative James P. Moran of Virginia and Representative Peter J. Visclosky of Indiana.

The lawmakers, meanwhile, earmarked more than $100 million in defense spending for PMA clients in the appropriations bills for 2008, according to a study by Taxpayers for Common Sense, which tracks earmarks.

In the last two weeks before the 2008 election, Mr. Murtha went on a last-minute fund-raising blitz, and PMA executives and clients gave him more than $100,000, according to a tally by the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call.

Representatives of the three lawmakers could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Magliocchetti, the firm’s founder, was previously a top aide to Mr. Murtha. Former top aides to Mr. Moran and Mr. Visclosky also worked at the company.

Experts in political law said the lawmakers could be required to return the improper contributions or, if they had turned a blind eye to fraud, they could be in legal trouble.

Campaign treasurers have a duty to scrutinize contributions and return any illegal ones, said Robert Walker, a Washington lawyer who previously directed the staff of the Senate Ethics Committee.

The PMA Group had grown into one of the biggest lobbying firms in Washington. But after a disclosure Monday night that federal investigators had raided the firm, it appeared to be on the brink of collapse. Former PMA lobbyists were scurrying to try to move with their clients to new firms and several announced the opening of a new shop, Flagship Government Relations.

Some symbols of Mr. Magliocchetti’s former influence remain, however. On Tuesday night at the Capitol Grille, a clubby Pennsylvania Avenue steakhouse where lobbyists sometimes entertain lawmakers or clients, there were still about eight bottles in a private wine locker labeled with his nickname, Mags.

From The New York Times
February 11, 2009

INDIANA TOWNSHIPS HAVE $200 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY IN RESERVE

2009-02-11T10:41:00.002-06:00

Review shows reserves typically exceed annual budgets

By Mark Alesia, Tim Evans, Heather Gillers and Mark Nichols
Posted: February 11, 2009

Indiana's 1,008 townships have amassed more than $200 million in taxpayer money that is stashed in reserves, yet no one -- township officials, state officials or lawmakers -- has made any effort to curb the property tax collections that generated the surplus.

A review by The Indianapolis Star shows that in some cases, the reserves represent more than 10 times the township's annual budget -- far more than necessary for even the most prudent rainy day fund, according to financial experts.

And, despite tough times, the massive reserve includes $50 million in unspent money that was raised specifically to benefit the poor.

Database: See how townships are spending (or not) your money.

The growing bankrolls are fueled, at least in part, by a system that encourages townships to collect the maximum amount of property taxes allowable every year, regardless of need. If townships don't raise the maximum, the amounts they can raise in following years are reduced.

Marion County's Center Township, for example, started this year with a reserve of nearly $10 million, the largest in the state. But it hasn't lowered property taxes.

"If you cut your levy, you don't get to just add it back," said Alan Mizen, the chief financial officer for the township.

So townships keep collecting and, in many cases, stockpiling cash, often without investing any of it.

"To have an excess like that is unconscionable," said R. Mark Lawrance, senior vice president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which has been at the forefront of the move to eliminate township government.

"It's not the townships' money," he said. "It's the taxpayers' money, and the townships shouldn't continue taxing property owners when they have those reserves."

The huge pool of money is almost certain to be a point of contention when state senators begin debating a bill today that would do away with township government.

The reserves, based on 2007 audited figures, the most recent available, highlight the lack of oversight and accountability that Gov. Mitch Daniels and lawmakers such as Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, the author of Senate Bill 512, cite as reasons for eliminating township government.

"I strongly believe that beyond some point government should stop taking dollars it does not need from taxpayers who do need them," Daniels said.

Township officials, however, contend they are just being prudent, preparing for an economic downturn like the one currently cutting into government revenues and creating a growing need for services.

In the grand scheme of things, said Deborah Driskell, executive director of the Indiana Township Association, townships have little impact on property tax bills, accounting for only about 3 percent of all property tax spending statewide.

But tax watchdogs and advocates for the poor say it is not wise or fiscally responsible for townships to horde the large reserves at a time of unprecedented need and growing public unrest over escalating tax bills.

Accountability

Who's to blame?

Township officials, state bureaucrats and lawmakers all appear to have some culpability.

"We all have to look in the mirror and say, 'How did we allow this to happen?' " Lawson said.

"A couple of things concern me. Why would (townships) want to raise taxes when they have money in the bank? I also don't know why the state ever allowed it to happen."

A 13-year veteran of the Senate, Lawson said she wasn't aware that the township reserves had grown so large.

"I'm not sure if even the Department of Local Government Finance was paying close enough attention," she said of the state agency responsible for reviewing tax rates and approving how much local units of government can raise and spend.

Townships' annual budgets are developed by the trustee and a township board, then reviewed by the county council. But any recommended changes from those reviews are nonbinding.

Once the budget has been approved at the county level, it goes to the Department of Local Government Finance for a final review.

Department spokeswoman Mary Jane Michalak said the agency checks to make sure the tax rates and levies fall within appropriate state guidelines. However, she said, the department cannot dictate how or whether money is spent.

Michalak said there is no requirement that townships or any other unit of government reduce their property tax rates if they have a general fund surplus.

A report by the Montgomery County League of Women Voters said the budgeting process basically encourages townships to collect as much as the state will allow. The report found some township trustees were discouraged by the Department of Local Government Finance from using surpluses to lower taxes. The unnamed trustees in the report said the department told them "tax rates are difficult to increase once they are lowered."

Michalak said she can't speak to what may have occurred in the past. She said her agency doesn't make such recommendations but acknowledged that some "consider it a penalty if they don't collect the max levy."

"We answer their questions according to the statutes," she said. "We tell them you can (reduce the rate), but just know that your levy will be cut the next year."

Oversight

Townships also have been able to build the reserves because of the autonomy they have long enjoyed, including almost nonexistent public oversight.

Among the latest 57 township audits posted on the State Board of Accounts' Web site, 40 cited problems. The reports are filled with examples of sloppy accounting, nonexistent documentation, overpayments, inappropriate payments and little attention to detail.

The property tax crisis that erupted in 2007 brought the situation to lawmakers' attention as they looked to lower taxes by cutting government costs. A recent review by the state's Office of Management and Budget estimated a $170 million savings if townships drew down their reserves to 10 percent in the next budget cycle.

Indiana does not have any standards for how much townships should have in reserve funds. It also does not require townships to invest those funds to earn interest.

As a result, some townships have not invested, costing taxpayers even more in the loss of interest.

"It is expensive to hold cash, as it could earn interest or otherwise be put to use," said Jason Seligman, assistant professor of public finance at Ohio State University.

How much is too much?

Seligman said a general rule for county government is a cash balance of about 25 percent of expenditures. Smaller governments such as townships, he said, may want slightly higher cash balances because of less access to credit.

Lawson, the state senator, said 10 percent of the annual budget is a reasonable reserve. She said that is about the amount the state is holding in its rainy day fund.

Mary Hart, president of the Indiana Township Association and trustee of Pigeon Township in Vanderburgh County, said no township should have more than one year's budget as a cash reserve, or 100 percent. Her own township had 29 percent in 2007, according to the state.

Yet five of the 10 townships listed as represented by officers or directors of the township association had more than a year's budget as a cash balance.

Hart said her association communicates best practices but can't force anyone to comply.

"Some elected officials are going to do what they want," she said, "even if it reflects badly on the rest of us.

"We have some (townships) that have always held a high cash reserve. . . . They could lower the tax rate, and that's probably what they should do. But a lot don't because of the unstable economy."

Randy Allen, trustee of Kankakee Township in Jasper County, couldn't explain why his township's cash balance of $708,000 was more than 12 times (1,256 percent) the amount it spent in 2007, according to state figures.

That is the largest such difference, by percentage, in the state.

"I've only been in (office) for two years, and it was that way when I took over," Allen said. "I really don't have an answer. We really haven't talked about it."

Longtime Center Township Trustee Carl Drummer, who announced last month he is leaving the office for a lobbying job, could not be reached for comment. His resignation was effective Monday, and precinct committeemen will vote this month on his replacement, said Marion County Democratic Party Chairman Ed Treacy.

Treacy said Drummer's decision to save up township money, including poverty assistance funds, may turn out to be prudent, given the current economic climate.

"People may have been wondering about that money," Treacy said. "But a lot of people may be happy that that money is there to serve people that really are going to be in desperate need for services."

Still, Aaron Smith, Lebanon, founder of the tax advocacy group Watchdog Indiana, said it is wrong for townships to pad their budgets on the backs of Hoosier taxpayers.

"What it boils down to," he said, "is that some townships have been taxing as much as the law allows when they don't need to spend as much as the law allows. And that is not right."

• Call Star reporter Mark Alesia at (317) 444-6039.

From the Indianapolis Star

A TAXPAYER FRIENDLY COMPROMISE

2009-02-10T11:32:00.001-06:00

Did You Know?

One good way to get the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1 passed by the 2009 General Assembly is through a Taxpayer Friendly Compromise between Governor Mitch Daniels and House Speaker Pat Bauer.

When one considers the state and local tax burden of Hoosier working families, the following Taxpayer Friendly Compromise makes sense:

1. Allow a 2009 House vote on the exact same version of SJR 1 that passed in 2008 in return for spending $300 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund on legislative priorities in the next budget.

2. Using $300 million of the state's $1.3 billion Rainy Day Fund in the next budget makes sense. The current recession is already the third longest since the Great Depression and is not likely to last beyond the next budget. Speaker Bauer is correct when he says "it is raining now."

3. The Taxpayer Friendly Compromise is fiscally responsible because $1 billion will be left in the state’s Rainy Day Fund for future contingencies.

4. To build momentum for the Taxpayer Friendly Compromise, the State Senate can vote on SJR 1 in January, 2009. COMPLETED: The State Senate passed SJR 1 by a 34-16 vote on February 9, 2009.

5. The State Senate, together with Governor Daniels, can decline to accept any budget that uses the Rainy Day Fund until the House votes on SJR 1.

6. SJR 1 supporters should ask those constituents who will benefit to encourage Governor Daniels and Speaker Bauer to accept the Taxpayer Friendly Compromise.

7. The Taxpayer Friendly Compromise will remove SJR 1 as an important partisan issue in the 2010 election.

8. The passage of constitutional property tax caps promises to be a legacy vote for which legislators will be lauded by generations of Hoosiers to come.

9. We The People will get to vote on the constitutional property tax caps in 2010. The collective wisdom of the voters will determine if the constitutional caps and the supporting legislation can be expected to provide a more fair and affordable tax burden while maintaining necessary government services. The SJR 1 decision is so important that it should properly be made by the voters.

10. Rigid political ideology must not get in the way - all SJR 1 supporters can accept the pragmatic Taxpayer Friendly Compromise. The $300 million Rainy Day Fund budget compromise as a good way to get a 2009 vote on the exact same version of SJR 1 that passed the General Assembly in 2008!

From Watchdog Indiana

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED!!

2009-02-10T11:29:00.001-06:00

Please do your part to implement the following Watchdog Indiana Action Plan in support of the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1.

1. Contact your State Representative. Phone, E-mail, or send a letter to your State Representative to let him or her know that you support constitutional property tax caps and that you want SJR 1 passed promptly. Information on how to identify and contact your State Representative legislators can be found above.

2. Contact Indiana House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer. Let Speaker Bauer know that you support constitutional property tax caps and that you want him to allow a prompt vote on SJR 1. Speaker Bauer can be reached by calling (800) 382-9842 or (317) 232-9600. His E-mail address is H6@in.gov. You can write to Speaker Bauer at (a) Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, or (b) 1307 Sunnymede Ave., South Bend, IN 46615. (By the way, also ask Speaker Bauer to meet with Watchdog Indiana. Watchdog Indiana is the leading citizen advocate for constitutional property tax caps. If Speaker Bauer continues to refuse to meet with Watchdog Indiana, then he is admitting that he cares nothing about the desire of Hoosier working families for a more fair and affordable state and local tax burden.)

3. Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. This is an effective way to show your support for the constitutional property tax caps in SJR 1. The E-mail addresses and online forms for 138 Indiana newspaper editors can be found at http://www.finplaneducation.net/letters_to_the_editor_via_e-mail.htm.

4. Invest $5.42 in a television ad campaign. A very effective cable TV ad campaign could be undertaken throughout the state if one of every three Watchdogs receiving this E-mail Update puts a 42-cent stamp on an envelope and mails a $5 check to Watchdog Indiana. The focus of this positive ad campaign would be to (a) educate Hoosiers on the importance of constitutional property tax caps and (b) motivate Hoosiers to let their General Assembly legislators know that SJR 1 must be promptly passed. Your Watchdog Indiana contributions are anonymous as long as your total contributions are less than $100 a calendar year. The Watchdog Indiana mailing address is 2625 Countryside Drive, Lebanon, IN 46052. Contributions to Watchdog Indiana are not tax deductible.

APATHY IS NOT AN OPTION. You must ACT NOW if the constitutional property tax caps in Senate Joint Resolution 1 are to be saved! Otherwise, the single-interest property tax spenders will win and we will soon have NO property tax relief to show for the latest statewide sales tax increase. The constitutional property tax caps in SJR 1 are necessary for a more fair and affordable working family tax burden.

From Watchdog Indiana, a grassroots taxpayer friendly organization.

CONSTITUTIONAL TAX CAPS PASSES SENATE

2009-02-10T09:32:00.004-06:00

By a vote of 34-16, the state Senate voted in favor of setting up a 2010 referendum allowing voters the final decision on whether to place the property tax caps into the Indiana Constitution or not.

The lone Democrat to vote for Senate Joint Resolution 1 was Senator Frank Mrvan of Hammond.
"We had trouble in Lake County (a few years ago) with many people from Whiting and Hammond whose property taxes had doubled or tripled," Mrvan said. "If you looked into their faces, they were afraid of losing their houses."

Thank you, Senator Mrvan, for doing the right thing and standing up for your constituents. And not catering to the special interest groups, lobbyists, or inept elected officials from NW Indiana.

Senator Luke Kenley, R- Noblesville believes the constitutional amendment is the "linchpin" to continuing a 2008 legislative overhaul Indiana sorely is in need of. The overhaul cut property taxes for homeowners by roughly a third, and sales tax was increased from 6 to 7 percent to make up for lost property tax revenue.

However, the caps have hammered the city of Gary hard. The city has lost $30 million in property tax revenue and has appealed to the Distressed Unit Appeals Board.

"We need to give this a little bit more time to see what kind of effect it might have on a city like Gary," argued Senator Earline Rogers, D-Gary. An excuse to do nothing and allow bloated government to continue if we ever heard one.

If Senate Joint Resolution 1 passes this year, the referendum would be placed on the ballet in 2010. Voters would get to decide permanently cap property taxes at 1% of assessed value for homeowners, 2% for landlords, and 3% for businesses.

The tax caps are already a part of House Bill 1001, which passed in March 2008, but they are in conflict with a constitutional provision that calls for equal taxation of residential and business properties.

If voters approve the referendum, the property tax caps would be permanently placed in the Indiana Constitution and would supersede the constitutional provision of equal taxation.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 now heads to the Democratic-controlled House where House Speaker Pat Bauer has made it clear he has no interest in passing the resolution this legislative session. And why is that? Because House Speaker Bauer is a double dipper (works for Ivy Tech) and is cozy with the Indiana State Teachers Association. He knows which side his bread is buttered on! And it's not the taxpayers!

Again, we urge our readers to contact their local state legislators and urge them to vote in favor of SJR1. Is the legislation perfect? No. But it's at least a step in the right direction until we can repeal property taxes for good.

SAY YES TO DUAL-OFFICE BANS

2009-02-10T08:54:00.003-06:00

On Monday Senate Bill 452 advanced from a state Senate panel by a vote of 8-3. The bill will now go before the full Senate for approval.

Senate Bill 452, co-authored by Senator Ed Charbonneau of Valparaiso, contains recommendations from the Kernan-Shepard Report. These recommendations include:

1) Moving municipal elections to even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal general elections. In 2007 only 14% of registered voters participated compared with 60% in the 2008 general election. Moving the elections to even-numbered years will save money and encourage more voter participation.

2) Moving school board elections to the general election in November. Another measure to save money and increase voter participation.

3) Allowing all 92 Indiana counties to consolidate precinct polling places into voting centers. Voting centers could be located in grocery stores or other public places giving voters easier and earlier access to voting.

4) Banning local government employees from running for elected office in the same unit in which they work. It would prohibit firefighters, police officers or even, street department foremen, from running for mayor or city council. If they chose to run for office, the ban would force them to quit their dayjobs. Banning dual-office holders would reduce the influence they would have on voting themselves raises and other benefits. A conflict of interest. A good example is Al Salinas, who is 2nd District Councilman and is a foreman for the Hammond Street Department. As city councilman, Salinas made sure he gave himself a nice pay raise and a 2008 Chevy Silverado pickup truck as a take-home car.

We urge our readers to contact their state senators and representatives and ask them to vote in favor of Senate Bill 452. These are good changes that will benefit Hoosier taxpayers and voters.

UPHOLD RULE OF LAW IN IMMIGRATION DEBATE

2009-02-09T13:41:00.002-06:00

BY MIKE DELPHIndiana State Senator, District 29

Imagine you were in abject poverty in Central America or India or China and had an opportunity to flee for American opportunity. You take the law into your own hands and pay a smuggler. He agrees to ensure your passage to a safe house in the States.

A family from China did this a few years ago, but never made it to the States because they all suffocated in the shipping container in which they were sealed, but the smuggler made his money. In the case of our southern border, where 80 percent of all crossings are illegal, law enforcement will share stories of smuggler fees as high as $10,000 per person. What's worse, once the smugglers lead their "cargo" across the desert and arrive at the safe house, they coerce concerned loved ones at home into paying even more, threatening to expose the new arrivals, which would result in immediate deportation.

After the final extortion racket, these people, many of whom don't speak a lick of English, are farmed out to various communities throughout the country. They know few people and naturally gravitate to folks who look and sound like they do. Not having a specific job guarantee, they take what they can and enter into modern day American slavery. Some businesses justify this on the grounds that they are providing a better opportunity than could be found at home.

In 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Immigration Reform and Control Act, stating that illegal immigration was a "challenge to our national sovereignty." This was to be the final reform measure needed to once and for all solve our illegal immigration problem. Illegal immigrants in the United States for longer than four and half years were given amnesty. In exchange, businesses were to be held accountable from this point on for knowingly and willingly hiring illegal immigrants.

Unfortunately, this law never truly lived beyond its most generous proposal of the blanket amnesty. But the intention was clear: No more amnesty. The American people had had enough.

This past December, the feds arrested 15 illegal contract workers at the BP Refinery in Whiting. Gary Hartwig, special agent-in-charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations in Chicago, stated in a news release, "There is a serious public safety concern when illegal aliens ... are working in secure areas of one of our nation's largest oil refineries ... (it) represents a significant vulnerability in our national security."

Costs resulting from illegal immigration are equally staggering. Four surveyed hospitals estimated total unreimbursed health care costs to be $2.7 million per year. Multiply that across the state. Education cost has been estimated to be in excess of $200 million annually. This doesn't include the cost of displaced Hoosier workers who unfairly compete for jobs with noncitizens. With unemployment at 8.2 percent and an estimated 266,469 citizens out of work, Hoosier tolerance for this type of discrimination is low.

The highest judicial ruling on the subject, decided by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, gives us the most up to date legal opinion on the approach of SB 580. It's constitutional. Business leaders are starting to speak out on the effectiveness of E-VERIFY, an identification verification tool for ensuring a stable and lawful work force. The president of Indiana Packers in Delphi, Ind., testifies that the tool has been used successfully by them since 1997.

But for me, this issue is about more than national sovereignty, human rights, jobs, public safety and security. It's about one of our basic pillars of democracy, the respect for the rule of law. As long as America remains the shining light of hope to the world, that principle is worth fighting for.

Let's put principle ahead of profit.

State Sen. Mike Delph represents Senate District 29, which encompasses Carmel and Indianapolis. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.

Guest Commentary from The Times
Monday, February 9, 2009

NO, NEIN, NYET, NON TO A COUNTY INCOME TAX

2009-02-06T13:53:00.008-06:00

Here's some food for thought on the county option income tax and some valid reasons why such a tax should not be enacted:

1) The country is in a recession, and Northwest Indiana is now #2 in the nation in year-to-year increases in unemployment. And our elected officials want to sock us with new taxes. What are they smoking?

2) Cities, towns, and Lake County need to learn to live within their budgets. They still have not made enough substantial cuts and eliminated unnecessary fat to even justify asking taxpayers for more money. Taxpayers are forced to live within their means and stick to a budget, why can't governments? Accountability, try it sometime.

3) Why should we the taxpayers pay a county income tax just to give ourselves tax relief? Isn't that just putting money in the right pocket only to take it out of the left one?

4) Enough already with these stupid pie-in-sky projects. We do not need a new convention center. We do not need another strip mall or shopping center. We don't need another marina or banquet halls. It's not the government's responsibility to be in business. Let the private sector build these projects. And we don't need a South Shore extension to Lowell or Valparaiso. A small segment of the population would actually benefit from this project. This project only encourages more urban sprawl. How many more strip malls do we need?

5) Let Lake County residents vote in a referendum and have the final say on whether we want an income tax or not. Or any other tax for that matter.

6) Elected officials need to remember they work for the people who elected them and not the other way around. Quit catering to special interests, lobbyists and other politicians. Taxpayers have had enough!

Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group does not support a county option income tax. Can't get much clearer than that.

What can you do? Contact your county council members and/or attend county council meetings and voice your opposition to the income tax. This tax can be defeated.

THE COUNTY OPTION INCOME TAX IS REARING ITS UGLY HEAD

2009-02-06T13:13:00.005-06:00

We knew our elected officials just couldn't let it rest, and Team Hammond would have rather been wrong than right on this one.

The idea of a county option income tax has been resurrected again. Local mayors are currently in discussions with state legislators and county council members about the need for an income tax to finance their big public works projects and shortfalls in their city budgets.

Leading the way is Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura, who last spring spearheaded a "Save Whiting" charge and was instrumental in getting state legislators to exclude Lake County from the 1. 2, 3 tax caps in House Bill 1001 until 2020.

And now Lake County Councilman Tom O'Donnell who opposed the county income tax in 2007 appears to be wavering in his stance.

Councilman O'Donnell said, "I want to hear from the towns. There will be a huge (anti-tax) response and alot of honked people, but somehow government has got to be paid for. You can't do 2010 with 2007 dollars.

"The municipalities have to be getting nervous at this point - and not just the big cities. The bottom line is I anticipate a cry from both the cities and towns to unfreeze our levy and do it however we've got to do it."

However, both County Commissioner Fran DuPey and Gerry Scheub remain firmly opposed to a county option income tax.

Commissioner DuPey said, "I am admantly against the tax. That's why I'm still here in office instead of retired."

In 2007 the county option income tax was voted on and approved by the county council. County Councilman Christine Cid said recently at the Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group meeting she voted in favor of the income tax because 100% of the tax was to be directed for property tax relief.

Not so this time. Local officials are pursuing legislation that would split in half the monies generated by the tax. One half would be for property tax relief and the other half would be for
big ticket projects such as the South Shore extension or the Little Calumet River flood control program.

It is estimated that $92 million would be generated by the county option income tax.

CURLEY SEEKS ANOTHER TERM WITH NEW TEAM

2009-02-06T12:02:00.001-06:00

February 5, 2009
By Erik Potter
Post-Tribune staff writer

John Curley will seek another term as chairman of the Lake County Republican Central Committee, but he'll be doing it with a team of new faces.

Curley is backing a slate of new officers, including Kim Krull for vice chairwoman, George Janiec for secretary, and Kevin VanLinden for treasurer.

The new people represent a younger, fresher approach for the party, Curley said, without giving many specifics.

"I'm the senior member, but we've brought in young, energetic people who are involved," Curley said. "There's not a 'yes person' in the group. They're all free thinkers. They bring what's best to the party."

Janiec, the last piece added to the slate, said he had only accepted the secretary nomination in the past day, so the group had yet to form a concrete agenda. But he saw room to exploit what he said was a slowness from the Democrats to cut government budgets, and a lack of youth engaged in county politics on either side of the aisle.

"(Republicans need to) show the real face of the party,"?Janiec said. "They're not rich capitalists or industrialists. They're people just like you and me. Just like their Democratic counterparts, but they happen to think and vote a little differently."

Both parties' committee chairman controls appointments to the Lake County Board of Elections and fills vacancies in party's precinct organization.

Central committee officers will be selected by members of that precinct organization at a county convention on Saturday,
March 7.

From the Post-Tribune

RESOLUTION ON E-VERIFY IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION

2009-02-06T11:47:00.001-06:00

Let it be known that at the meeting of Tuesday, January 27, 2009, Team Hammond Taxpayer's Group unanimously resolved to support the E-VERIFY bills presented and to be presented before either Indiana State legislative body.

This resolution represents the will of significant numbers of taxpayers, constituents not only in Hammond and its sister communities, but also that of fellow member tax activist groups throughout the state of Indiana.

Tax activists members are dedicated to their obligation to vote during elections. Fiscal
responsibility during the current economic crisis is imperative and critical to the survival of Indiana taxpayers/voters and their way of life and their beloved Hoosier heritage.

The current economic problems are considerably exacerbated by the failure of Indiana legislators to promptly and responsibly move on Immigration issues --- issues identified as onerous, inequitable, and debilitating.

It is the intention of the Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group membership in attendance to forward their concerns with clear and determined language to those members of the Indiana State Legislature that receive this missive.

SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 479-REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICTS

2009-02-01T20:12:00.002-06:00

Bill Number: SB 479

Subject: Regional Transportation Districts

First Author: Senator Tim Lanane, D-Anderson

Summary of Legislation: Establishing Regional Transportation Districts. The bill permits counties to establish a regional transportation district (RTD) to plan, design, acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, renovate, maintain, equip, finance, operate, and support public transportation systems.

Fees and Taxes: It establishes a fee on vehicle registrations, and permits the creation of allocation areas, the establishment of a special allocation of county option income taxes, and the imposition of a food and beverage tax, a county economic development income tax, or a special benefits property tax to provide funding to regional transportation districts.

Mergers: It permits other public transportation agencies to merge into a regional transportation district.

Deputy Commissioner: The bill requires the Governor to appoint a Deputy Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to assist the commissioner with the public transportation responsibilities of INDOT.

Effective Date: Upon passage.

IDEA STINKS NO MATTER WHAT COUNTY YOU LIVE IN!

2009-01-30T09:06:00.004-06:00

The beat goes on - and gets worse
Just about a month ago, we wrote on the continuing clamor for "mass transportation" - meaning quick service for our Hamilton County friends to get downtown. Now we have the introduction of an outrageous piece of legislation in the General Assembly.

We refer to Senate Bill 479 which would allow the establishment of "Regional Transportation Districts" (RTDs). While advocates of slimming down government in the state are hard at work, this would be a new layer at county or multi-county level.

The RTD would be operated by an appointed board which would have the power to raise funds from: property taxes from an "allocation area" within the district; a special property tax; a food and beverage tax; a "green tax" of $10 per automobile registration; and a county economic development income tax. Plus, naturally, any free federal funds lying around. This is NOT an "either / or" list of options.

For the unwary, we would point out that taxes from an "allocation area" would constitute a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) scheme for residential property. A decision would be made, presumably by this non-elected board, that residents would benefit from the presence of rapid transit, thereby increasing the value of their homes. We find no limitation of the size of the "allocation area" and one might assume that if you live closer to the train station than to Monument Circle, you are a beneficiary and your residence would then be reassessed.

Need we remind our readers what happens to tax "caps" set as a percentage of assessments?

Another little sweetener is the provision that any amount collected from their County Economic Development Income Tax "...may not be considered by the department of local government finance in determining the county's maximum permissible property tax levy under IC 6-1.1-18.5."

Since retirement we've gotten somewhat out of touch, and, quite frankly, we're not aware of what effect revenues from that income tax have on property tax limitations. But we do feel fairly certain that excluding those revenues from any computation will not bode well for the taxpayer - of either tax.

And just as an aside, do we really want to write into law a completely indeterminate term such as a "green tax?" If we must use a color, how about "blue" as representing the feelings of taxpayers?

From Indy Tax Dollars

FILL OUT THOSE LEGISLATIVE SURVEYS

2009-01-29T22:28:00.007-06:00

We all get them in the mail. Those surveys from our state legislators. How many of you actually take the time to fill them out and mail them back? How many of you think it's not worth the bother?

If you don't tell your legislators what issues are important to you and your family, it tells them they aren't important enough to vote for in the legislative session.

How many of you have told your state representatives you support Senate Joint Resolution 1, the property tax cap legislation? Do you want the tax caps made permanent or do you want to keep paying exhorbitant property tax bills? Or should the special interest groups and the lobbyists keep getting what they want (more spending of your hard-earned tax dollars)?

If you don't tell your legislators, how will they know what their constituents want?

If SJR1 passes this year, Hoosier voters will get the opportunity to vote in a referendum next year in 2010 to make the tax caps permanent in the Indiana Constitution. We should be able to vote on this important issue because it is our money and our government!

If you don't want to fill out the survey by mail, you can fill out the legislative surveys online.

Listed below are the links to your respective state representative and state senators.

Linda Lawson, State Representative, District 1
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/lawson_index.html

Earl Harris, State Representative, District 2
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/harris_index.html

Charlie Brown, State Representative, District 3
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/brown_index.html

Ed Soliday, State Representative, District 4
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/homepages/r4/

Dan Stevenson, State Representative, District 11
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/stevenson_index.html

Mara Candelaria Reardon, State Representative, District 12
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/reardon_index.html

Chet Dobis, State Representative, District 13
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/dobis_index.html

Vernon Smith, State Representative, District 14
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/smith_index.html

Don Lehe, State Representative, District 15 http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/homepages/r15/

Shelli VanDenburgh, State Representative, District 19
http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_democrats/vandenburgh_index.html

Frank Mrvan, State Senator, District 1
http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/homepages/s1/

Lonnie Randolph, State Senator, District 2
http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/homepages/s2/contactme.htm

Earline Rogers, State Senator, District 3
http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/homepages/s3/contactme.htm

Karen Tallian, State Senator, District 4
http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/homepages/s4/index.htm

Ed Charbonneau, State Senator, District 5
http://www.in.gov/s5/index.htm

Sue Landske, State Senator, District 6
http://www.in.gov/s6/

Just click on the link and it will direct you to their website. Their 2009 legislative survey will be on their homepage. They are very easy to fill out and submit.

Let's support SJR1 so we can make property tax relief permanent!

DEMOCRATS LOSE ANOTHER ARROW FROM THEIR QUIVER

2009-01-29T22:04:00.000-06:00

We’ve heard quite a few excuses from Democrats about why they won’t support Kernan-Shepard reforms. From not being able to do two things at once to no real cost savings. The latter excuse was debunked Monday with the release of a Ball State study outlining the $622 million savings.

Now, Democrats have lost another club from their golf bag of excuses: the idea that they don’t want to take elected offices away from the people.

Democrats voted unanimously yesterday in committee for a Constitutional amendment to combine the offices of the state Auditor and Treasurer.

If we can take away a statewide elected official away from the voters, we better not hear anything about ruining democracy by getting rid of a county recorder, coroner or surveyor.

From Frugal Hoosiers

SENATE BILL 580 (E-VERIFY SYSTEM)

2009-01-29T11:50:00.002-06:00

For the third year in a row, State Sen. Mike Delph (R-District 29) is promoting important legislation that would crack down on illegal immigration in Indiana. His bill (SB 580) is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate Pension and Labor Committee on February 4.

The proposed legislation would prohibit employers from knowingly employing illegal aliens and would require state and local governments, and their contractors, to use the federal E-Verify system to check the workplace eligibility of new hires. For private employers, the bill sets up an administrative complaint process (individuals can file complaints with the state attorney general) that could lead to a business-license suspension or revocation for those found to have knowingly hired illegal aliens. Companies that use E-Verify, however, are provided safe harbor against such administrative actions. The bill also bans sanctuary policies, requires state correctional facilities to check the immigration status of inmates, and mandates the use of the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to verify eligibility for public benefits.

In a press release, Sen. Delph said, “(a)fter discussing the bill with Senate leadership and colleagues, I am confident this will pass out of the Senate and if enacted make Indiana a leader in illegal immigration reform. We have the opportunity to come together this session saying we no longer tolerate the failure of the federal government to protect our borders and ensure our national security.”

State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R - District 14), the Chairman of the Pension and Labor Committee, will sheppard Sen. Delph’s bill (SB 580) through committee.

From NumbersUSA

THE HOOSIER TAXPAYER AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

2009-01-29T11:42:00.002-06:00

Listed below is the estimated impact illegal immigration has on state spending:

Total cost: Estimated at $259 million per year in 2006 and projected to climb to $434 million by 2010 and $753 million by 2020.

Education: Estimates based on 2004 data suggest students who emigrated illegally cost Indiana $85.9 million, while students born in the United States to illegal immigrants cost the state $120.3 million.

Health care: Estimates from four hospitals in the Indianapolis area placed unreimbursed health-care costs associated with treating illegal immigrants at $2.7 million per year.

Sources: Federation for American Immigration Reform, Indiana Hospital Association

RECAP OF TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-01-28T19:04:00.004-06:00

Despite the forecast of snow, there was a good turnout at the Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group meeting on Tuesday night at the Woodmar United Methodist Church.

Guest speaker for the evening was Christine Cid, 2008 President of the Lake County Council.

Ms. Cid gave a powerpoint presentation on the 2009 county budget. She explained how the budget was cut by $15 million and how and where the cuts were made. A total of 119 positions were eliminated in the budget reductions. Ms. Cid also pointed out which departments, namely the sheriff, did not make any cuts and actually asked for an increase in spending. Criminal justice (courts and law enforcement) makes up 75% of the county's budget and yet, the sheriff made no cuts to his budget. She questioned the need for the sheriff's new helicopter and adding staff when other departments were voluntarily cutting staff and making budget reductions.

Future county cost-cutting measures include consolidation of purchasing and privatization of the jail. Ms. Cid said she will continue to push for budget reductions to make county government more efficient and cost effective.

The food and beverage tax was also touched on. Ms. Cid questioned whether the bus systems had looked to other sources of funding before asking the council to enact this tax. She said she would need more information on the food and beverage tax and the bus systems before she could make a final decision.

Another tax Ms. Cid was questioned on was the county option income tax. She said she had originally voted for it because 100% of the tax was to be directed to property tax relief. Cid also said the county commissioners (Scheub & DuPey) will continue to veto the income tax so it is pretty much a moot point.

Hammond Fourth District Councilwoman Kim Poland also spoke at the meeting. She talked about the ordinance she sponsored regarding take-home cars in Hammond. There are currently 71 take-home cars being used by various city employees. Poland's ordinance is currently in committee and needs to be tweaked before coming back to the council for approval. She will continue to fight for passage of this ordinance.

Mary Ellen Slazyk gave an update on the last school board meeting. She said the school city is looking at purchasing two apartment buildings on 119th Street across from George Rogers Clark Middle/High School for more staff parking. One of the buildings is owned by Donald Osborne, who is currently the President of the Hammond Multi-School Building Corporation, the holding company the school city uses to finance all their school building projects. The other apartment building is owned by a realty company whose address just happens to be the same as Mr. Osborne's business. Mary Ellen agreed Clark has always had parking problems, but questioned whether the sale of these properties would be a conflict of interest. She also said there needs to be more citizen attendance at school board meetings. The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 12 at the school administration center at 41 Williams Street.

Hammond Councilman-At-Large Bob Markovich spoke next about the wind turbine project for Forsythe Park and Wolf Lake. He said the city received grant money from the state for the project and the total cost of the project would be $195,000. The city would receive about $5,000 a year in electricity credits from NIPSCO. At that rate, it would take the city about 39 years to pay off the project before any potential profit could be realized. Markovich commended the city for looking at alternative energy sources. Audience members questioned the size of the turbines, placement of the turbines in a migratory flyway and if noise would be an issue.

Larry Rapchak then spoke about the staggering impact illegal immigration is having on our education and health care systems as well as property taxes. He spoke about the E-Verify legislation that would greatly benefit Hoosier taxpayers. E-Verify allows employers to electronically verify employment eligibility of newly hired workers. House Speaker Bauer stopped the legislation last year but this legislation needs to be passed this year because it protects Hoosier jobs. Larry said it is also important to fill out legislative surveys either by mail or online because our local state reps and senators need to know this is an important issue with their constituents. He passed out information on E-Verify along with contact information on our NWI state legislators.

A resolution was then passed by Team Hammond members in support of the E-Verify legislation.

Jim Premeske finished off the meeting with upcoming Team Hammond events. Members will continue to attend county council workstudy sessions and meetings and Hammond city council meetings. The public hearing for the wind turbine project will also be held on Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the city council chambers.

The next Team Hammond meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the Galaxy Hall in Hessville. The topic of next month's meeting will be public safety and updated crime statistics.

TAX CAP AMENDMENT PASSES COMMITTEE

2009-01-28T18:24:00.003-06:00

The proposal to permanently place the tax caps in the state constitution passed the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy committee by a party line vote of 8-4. The measure now heads to the full Senate for a vote.

State Senators Ed Charbonneau, Brandt Hershman and Sue Landske voted in favor of the permanent tax caps. State Senator Lonnie Randolph voted against the measure.

Beginning next year, the caps will limit property tax bills to 1% for homeowners, 2% for rental property and 3% for businesses. The caps, enacted last spring by HEA 1001, were designed to give long awaited relief from escalating property tax bills.

If the tax cap proposal passes the legislature this year without any changes, voters will get the opportunity to make the caps permanent via referendum in 2010.

Democratic House Speaker Patrick Bauer has already said he is not ready to pass the tax cap proposal this legislative session until the full ramnifications of the caps on local government are known.

Governor Mitch Daniels and Republicans in the Senate and House want the caps added to the constitution where they would be safe from future legal challenges and legislative action.

"We could wait until next year to do this," said Senator Luke Kenley of Noblesville.
"But the message it would be sending the public is that we really don't know if we want to this."

What it really means is the Democrats want to make sure their lobbyist friends don't lose out on a piece of the pie and to heck with the taxpayers!

The tax cap proposal needs to get passed this legislative session. Let the voters decide in a referendum if we want the caps or not. It is our money and our government. Give us the choice!

FINALLY A SUPERINTENDENT WHO MAKES FISCAL SENSE

2009-01-28T13:57:00.006-06:00

Lake Central School Superintendent Gerald Chabot has come out against building a second high school in the Tri-Town area.

"Building a second high school here is fiscally irresponsible," Superintendent Chabot told the referendum task force. "We could never recommend putting this corporation in financial harm's way. It's not going to happen."

Superintendent Chabot points to a similar situation that happened in the Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation (near Indianapolis). Due to a growing population, Hamilton built a second high school about five years ago.

"I asked them how it was going, and they said it wasn't working out real well," he said. "They found the operating costs to run the second high school was just tremendous."

The new high school has yet to enroll all four grade levels and only recently added sophomores and juniors. Because of increased costs, the district will be forced to cut $5 million from next year's budget.

Former Hammond Superintendent David Dixon says the proponents of a second Lake Central high school are out of step with the Indiana legislature. Dixon said, "There are issues on the table to consolidate smaller school corporations so more of the budget funds will go to students-not to pay for more buildings, janitors and extra cooks."

Wow, a superintendent who is being fiscally responsible and refuses to put his school corporation in financial harm's way and a former Hammond school superintendent advocating more budget dollars to go to students and not buildings.

It's what we've said all along about the new Hammond high school. A building does not an education make. It's what goes on inside that really matters.

It's too bad the Hammond school superintendent fails to recognize his school district is already in financial harm's way. Apparently, living within your means and fiscal restraint are not in his vocabulary.

HERE A CAR, THERE A CAR, EVERYWHERE A TAKE-HOME CAR, PART II

2009-01-28T13:28:00.005-06:00

The 71 take-home cars the city of Hammond has owned up to are not just for police officers.

Here is just a sampling of city employees who have take-home cars:

Assistant City Engineer
Assistant Chief Drillmaster, Fire
Battalion Chief Mechanic, Fire
City Controller
Administrator, Park Department
Superintendent, Park Department
Special Events Coordinator, Park Department
General Foreman, Park Department
Recreation Director, Park Department
Assistant Recreation Director, Park Department
Foreman, Park Department
Community Development Director, Planning Department*
Executive Director, Planning Department
Director of Economic Development*
General Foreman, Sanitation
Traffic Foremen, Street Department
Sergeant, Emergency Management
Corporal, Emergency Management
Assistant Director, Emergency Management
Foremen, Street Department

*Leasing a 2008 Chevy Impala at a cost of $380.43/month for 36 months.

Now, really. Why does the City Controller need a take-home car? Does the controller get called out in the middle of the night to verify accounting figures?

Why does Street Department Foreman Al Salinas, who double dips as 2nd District Councilman, need to drive a 2008 Chevy Silverado with tricked-out wheels?

Why do the Community Development Director and the Director of Economic Development need to drive leased vehicles? Can't they drive their own cars and get reimbursed for mileage like they do in the real world of business?

And what about the Park Department? The Recreation Director, Assistant Recreation Director, and Special Events Coordinator have take-home cars. What the heck for? Why does anybody in the Park Department need a take-home car? The Hammond parks close at dusk.

Team Hammond supports 4th District Councilwoman Kim Poland's ordinance to curb this frivolous and unnecessary expense.

Her ordinance is justified. Especially in these economic times.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME

2009-01-28T13:18:00.004-06:00

How many citizens attending Hammond school board meetings? Very few but maybe more of us should start attending.

Why do you ask? So we can find out what kind of perks the school board members give themselves and citizens have to pay for.

Such as, voting to give themselves health insurance at the cost of $1.00 a year. Yes, you read that correctly.

$1.00 a year!!!!

Health insurance for part-time positions at a cost of $1.00 a year. Wouldn't senior citizens on fixed incomes like health insurance for that price?

All we can say is SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

CHRISTINE CID TO SPEAK AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING

2009-01-22T13:19:00.004-06:00

If you want to know more about the proposed food and beverage tax, make plans to attend the next Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church, 7320 Northcote Avenue in Hammond. Meet and greet will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Our guest speaker for the evening will be Ms. Christine Cid, 2008 Lake County Council President. Ms. Cid will speak not only on the food and beverage tax but the 2009 county budget and other county-related issues.

As County Council President, Ms. Cid played an important role in getting the 2009 county budget reduced by $15 million.

Bring yourself, bring your friends and neighbors. The food and beverage tax is just one of several new taxing proposals the county will be addressing in 2009. This tax affects everyone living in Lake County. You don't have to be a Hammond resident to attend this important meeting.

As always, refreshments will be served. See you on Tuesday!

SENATOR DELPH TELLS INDIANA LEGISLATURE...WE WANT OUR CAPS OR WE WANT OUR SALES TAX MONEY BACK!

2009-01-19T21:51:00.005-06:00

Hat tip to Frugal Hoosiers!!!

Whoa! Senator Mike Delph didn't forget that we got socked with a sales tax hike of 17% to offset the property tax caps? Well, what happens if we don't get those promised caps and Pat Bauer gets his way? Senator Delph wants to make sure we get our sales tax money back. (We like Senator Delph more every day!)

He introduced SB 243 to make sure the people don't get ripped off! Here's the skinny of the bill from Frugal Hoosiers blog:
"Quite simply, this bill requires a return to a 6% sales tax if the General Assembly does not successfully work to put the property tax caps in the constitution. Doing so requires a resolution to pass in two, separately elected, General Assemblies, and passage on the general election ballot. In other words, if the property tax caps that passed in 2008 in exchange for the increase in the sales tax aren't put in the constitution, you get your money back."

Click here to read SB 243, contact your legislator, or write a letter to the editor.

From Frugal Hoosiers

OPEN GOVERNMENT

2009-01-19T12:22:00.001-06:00

Indiana state Sen. Beverly Gard, a Republican from Greenfield who has long championed the cause of open government, will try again this year to put teeth in the state's public access law.

If every Indiana lawmaker felt as Gard does about the importance of making government records easily available to all citizens of the state, we would have far fewer government doors shut in the faces of Hoosiers.

It was Gard and, from this area, Rep. Russ Stilwell, D-Boonville, who led a successful campaign in 2007 to limit the ability of public officials to hold "serial meetings." That was a shameful tactic used by some officials to legally prevent Indiana residents from attending some meetings of their government boards.

The new law came as a huge victory for the cause of open government, but there remain other government doors that need to be opened to the public.

The issue for this session is one that prevents citizens from easily gaining access to some public records. Indiana law already makes those records legally available, but that law includes no sharpened teeth for officials who resist.

Indiana has made progress in this area of public policy. Former Gov. Frank O'Bannon temporarily created the public access counselor position to advise citizens and officials on the law and to render opinions on whether the law was violated.

The counselor position was later made permanent by the Legislature, but the law still lacked a serious enforcement mechanism. Even with the counselor giving an opinion that public records should be provided, the elected official could refuse. And then it is left to the person making the request to seek relief in court.

We would guess that in a lot of cases, that is the point at which the frustrated citizen asking to see public records walks away.

Anyway, Gard has introduced Senate Bill 232 in the current legislative session. It has been referred to the Committee on Local Government. It would allow a court to assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000 against public officials or employees or the agency itself for refusing to open records or meetings to the public.

Everyone remotely involved with this issue knows that a law lacking teeth is a law difficult to enforce.

The Legislature seems to take its time dealing with public access issues, and that may prove to be especially true of one that threatens political allies back in the home county with hefty fines.

We understand that, but we ask that lawmakers give Gard's bill a fair discussion, and then, we hope, pass it in some similar form during the current session.

In doing that, lawmakers could truly boast that the interests of their constituents —not their cronies — come first.

From the Evansville Courier Press
Friday, January 16, 2009

HERE A CAR, THERE A CAR, EVERYWHERE A TAKE-HOME CAR!

2009-01-16T10:33:00.004-06:00

The City of Hammond is fessing up to at least 71 take-home cars that are either owned or leased. Fourth District Councilwoman Kim Poland had asked city departments for a list of their take-home vehicles. She is proposing stricter regulation of these cars including the elimination of some departmental cars.

Lucky recipients of take-home cars include City Controller Robert Lendi, Director of Community Development Owana Miller, Planning and Redevelopment Director Rick Calinski, Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Moore, Jr.,and our personal favorite, Parks Department Assistant Recreation Director David Innes.

Now, we have no quarrel with take-home cars for emergency response employees or those departments who may get called out in the middle of the night (police, street, fire). But where does the City Controller go that would justify a take-home car? And granted, David Innes is only driving a 1993 Ford Crown Victoria. But really, the Assistant Recreation Director needs a take-home car?

In the real world, employees in the private sector use their own cars for company business and are then reimbursed for their mileage and fuel. We see nothing wrong with city employees having to do the same.

City workers are also not allowed to use take-home cars for personal use, but At-Large Councilman Robert Markovich contends city employees have been doing just that. You know, we have seen the Port Authority Director's car in the Strack & Van Til's parking lot as well as at the St. John the Baptist School Gym for volleyball games. And didn't Pat Moore Jr. use a city-owned SUV to tailgate at a Notre Dame football game?

It is now up to Councilwoman Poland to recommend to the city council which departments should give up their car privileges. She will also estimate how much the city will save by eliminating this perk.

This is one proposal that has been long overdue!