STRAIGHT FROM THE SENATE
TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD IN 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Goals will be guided by commitment to taxpayers, not tax spenders by State Sen. David Long
Tough times will require tough decisions this 2009 legislative session. I want you to know that as your state senator, I remain committed to our fellow taxpayers, not the big tax spenders. That’s why as legislators convened recently to resume work of the Indiana General Assembly, I’ve gone on record publicly stating my goals for this session:
Balancing the State Budget: While the nationwide economic climate is forcing other states to pass unbalanced budgets, increase deficit spending and jeopardize funding to vital state-supported programs like education, Indiana is better poised to weather the storm because of fiscally responsible policies and tightly crafted budgets in recent years. Still, in these tight times, state lawmakers face the same challenge Hoosier households do — costs rising faster than income. Legislators must tackle this problem with the same resolve and frugality that Hoosiers utilize every day. That’s why my top priority during the 2009 session is to work with fellow lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives to craft and pass a sound, balanced state budget.
Permanently Capping Property Taxes: Hoosiers are just now feeling the first round of relief provided by last year’s historic property tax reforms. Despite these much-needed reductions, lawmakers must not lose sight that fellow Hoosiers suffered from life-changing decisions because of Indiana’s most recent property tax crisis. For too many — especially seniors on fixed incomes and young homeowners on limited incomes — emergencies existed and continue to exist. Legislators must keep the promise of permanent property tax relief and reforms. I understand how pressing and crucial it is for the General Assembly to again pass a constitutional amendment capping property taxes. Lawmakers successfully passed the amendment last year, but must do so again before the constitutional change can be considered by voters and added to our Indiana Constitution. Only then will taxpayers be guaranteed that these vital property tax reforms will be permanent.
Protecting K-College Funding, Higher Ed Accessibility: Chief among the state’s many responsibilities is making certain that Indiana’s public schools, community colleges and four-year universities have the resources they need to ensure the future success of our students. As other states are cutting off dollars to classrooms and lecture halls, I understand protecting K-12 education dollars and keeping higher education affordable and accessible are the best long-term investments the state can make in these difficult economic times — ones that will produce solid returns despite the ups and downs of roller-coaster markets. At the same time, I will also champion policies that help make these investments reap results — advancing academic achievement and college and career readiness — in safe and disciplined classrooms.
Continuing Job Creation: While Indiana has positioned itself as a nationwide leader in job creation, ranking first among the Midwest states and 12th nationwide for its excellent business climate, now is not the time to rest. To attract more 21st-century jobs, Indiana must focus on equipping its workforce with 21st-century skills. Experts estimate that 60 percent of future jobs will require skills that are currently possessed by only 20 percent of workers. We are committed to bolstering job creation through workforce education, low taxes, eliminating excessive government regulation, and incentivizing business expansion and investment.
Streamlining Government: Indiana represents two percent of the U.S. population, yet maintains eight percent of local government units nationwide — somewhat surprising for a state often viewed as fiscally conservative. Many Hoosiers support the reform recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Commission, a bipartisan panel of business, education and civic leaders whose mission was to study improving government’s efficiency and effectiveness across Indiana. Already, legislators and voters have adopted one such recommendation by combining most township assessors’ offices with those of county assessors. Legislators this year will debate similar reform proposals regarding Indiana’s overlapping layers of government that often confuse citizens and make accountability difficult. I support open, fair discussions of proposed bipartisan reforms intended to provide Hoosiers more economical, accessible and accountable government.
As always, your opinions are welcomed and appreciated. I encourage you to complete my 2009 Legislative Survey on these important matters that should have arrived in your mail. Or, if you prefer, you may complete the survey online by accessing my virtual office at www.in.gov/senator.long
Sen. David Long (R-Fort Wayne) is President Pro Tem of the Indiana Senate. He serves District 16, which includes portions of Fort Wayne.
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