Senator Vaneta Becker yesterday became the only Republican on the senate health committee to vote against Senate Bill 3, a bill that would protect Indiana pharmacists from being forced to dispense drugs that would be used for abortion, euthanasia, assisted-suicide or mercy killing.
The senator joined four of the most strident Democratic abortion supporters in the senate in opposing the bill, including Sen. Sue Errrington, a long-time Planned Parenthood employee and lobbyist, and Sen. Vi Simpson from Bloomington. Senator Becker's vote against the bill came in spite of hearing testimony from Karen Brauer, an Indiana pharmacist fired by K-mart in 1996 after refusing to dispense abortion-causing drugs in violation of her personal conscience.
I urge you to contact Senator Becker immediately to express your disapproval of her vote and to urge her to support the bill when it comes to the senate floor.To contact Senator Becker, call 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400. Her e-mail address is http://adsfree01.mail.com/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=c3629cb79b2771b964e2ae7395695749766d0fa0&composeto=s50@in.gov&composecc=&subject=&body=
To read more about Senate Bill 3, click here
To read today's Louisville Courier Journal story on the vote, click here
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Walker: Eliminate Property Taxes on Homes
Committee members ‘intrigued, interested’ in new proposal; Legislators want more details before panel vote will be taken.
(STATEHOUSE) –Republican state senators say they are “intrigued and interested” by a new plan unveiled at the Statehouse today that would completely and permanently eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes statewide.
Sen. Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood) and Mike Young (R-Indianapolis) offered their plan as an amendment to Senate Joint Resolution 8 under consideration by the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee.
Waltz and Young asked fellow lawmakers to choose between sales or income taxes as “fairer, more modern ways” to fund schools and local government.
Expanding sales taxes on certain services was among several funding options the two lawmakers offered to replace the $2.95 billion needed to eliminate property taxes for homeowners.
“I support the permanent removal of levies from dependence on property taxes,” Walker said. “I also realistically acknowledge that the legislation may not unwind all the complexity in one general assembly session. Yet, we must start the process of constitutional protections now.”
Originally, SJR 8 would have attempted doing away with all property taxes including those on income-producing rental and business properties. Critics had been skeptical of the resolution as originally written, because of massive replacement funding needed to continue operating schools, police and fire services, libraries and other local government units.
Sen. David Long (R-Ft. Wayne), who chairs the committee, said its members asked for additional time to study and discuss the resolution and amendment. Long said he expects the committee to reconvene in the coming days, but wants to “make certain the plan is workable and acceptable before asking colleagues to vote on the proposal.”
SJR 8 is being offered as an amendment to the Indiana Constitution, requiring passage by two separately elected sessions of the Indiana General Assembly and approval by voters
Sen. Greg Walker represents Senate District 41, which includes Bartholomew and Johnson Counties.
(STATEHOUSE) –Republican state senators say they are “intrigued and interested” by a new plan unveiled at the Statehouse today that would completely and permanently eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homes statewide.
Sen. Brent Waltz (R-Greenwood) and Mike Young (R-Indianapolis) offered their plan as an amendment to Senate Joint Resolution 8 under consideration by the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee.
Waltz and Young asked fellow lawmakers to choose between sales or income taxes as “fairer, more modern ways” to fund schools and local government.
Expanding sales taxes on certain services was among several funding options the two lawmakers offered to replace the $2.95 billion needed to eliminate property taxes for homeowners.
“I support the permanent removal of levies from dependence on property taxes,” Walker said. “I also realistically acknowledge that the legislation may not unwind all the complexity in one general assembly session. Yet, we must start the process of constitutional protections now.”
Originally, SJR 8 would have attempted doing away with all property taxes including those on income-producing rental and business properties. Critics had been skeptical of the resolution as originally written, because of massive replacement funding needed to continue operating schools, police and fire services, libraries and other local government units.
Sen. David Long (R-Ft. Wayne), who chairs the committee, said its members asked for additional time to study and discuss the resolution and amendment. Long said he expects the committee to reconvene in the coming days, but wants to “make certain the plan is workable and acceptable before asking colleagues to vote on the proposal.”
SJR 8 is being offered as an amendment to the Indiana Constitution, requiring passage by two separately elected sessions of the Indiana General Assembly and approval by voters
Sen. Greg Walker represents Senate District 41, which includes Bartholomew and Johnson Counties.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Advance America Releases Property Tax Repeal Study
[Indianapolis, IN] Eric Miller, Founder of Advance America today released the results of a professional study of their Property Tax Repeal Plan conducted by a respected professor at Indiana University, Dr. Craig L. Johnson.
Miller was joined by the following Legislators who support the Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Property Taxes: Senator Phil Boots, Senator Dennis Kruse, Senator Brent Steele, Sen. Greg Walker, Senator John Waterman, Rep. Jim Buck, Rep. Woody Burton, Rep. Eric Koch, Rep. Cindy Noe, and Rep. Jackie Walorski. Also in attendance were individuals representing numerous taxpayer groups around the state and Attorney John Price who is the Chairman of the Indiana Property Tax Repeal Alliance, Inc.
Prior to discussing the study Miller stated, “It’s time for a change in Indiana government.” He pointed out that Repealing Property Taxes is the only way:
1. To let someone finally own their own home, farm or business;
2. To let Hoosiers vote to Repeal Property Taxes;
3. To stop future property tax increases;
4. To save over $100 million in administrative expenses;
5. To stop incorrect assessments and
6. To not repeat history by raising existing taxes or creating new taxes in exchange for temporarily lowering property taxes.
Miller stated that the opponents of our effort to Repeal Property Taxes have used scare tactics to try to stop this effort. “The opponents have said that in order to Repeal Property Taxes the state would either have to raise the sales tax to 13% or raise the income tax to 9%. These opponents are intentionally trying to mislead the public. They didn’t consider the impact of controlling state and local government spending in our proposal or the time it would take to Repeal Property Taxes with a Constitutional Amendment.”
Dr. Craig L. Johnson served as the Consultant to review Advance America’s Property Tax Repeal Plan. He has been at Indiana University since 1992. Dr. Johnson is an Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs at SPEA-Bloomington. Dr. Johnson received his Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. degrees from The University at Albany, State University of New York. His primary research interest focuses on improving how government finances are managed.
Dr. Johnson’s Study shows conclusively that Advance America’s Plan is fiscally sound and doable. The Study points out that if property taxes are repealed with a Constitutional Amendment, property taxes can be replaced:
1. By controlling government spending at the state and local level;
2. By setting up a Property Tax Elimination Fund to receive state money over and above the state spending control. This fund will also serve as a rainy day fund;
3. By enacting a 2% sales tax increase and a 1% income tax increase and business replacement revenue of $951 million only after the voters vote in 2010 to Repeal Property Taxes; (This amount for business replacement revenue is not a tax increase. It represents a reduction of over 50% in the amount businesses would be paying in property taxes in 2012 according to Dr. Johnson.)
4. By using over $100 million in administrative savings from Repealing Property Taxes.
5. The figures supporting our plan do not include any growth in state sales or income taxes from economic development that occurs from the Repeal of Property Taxes.
6. Additionally, the figures do not include interest on the Property Tax Elimination Fund which is estimated to be in excess of $250 million in 2012.
The entire text of the Study including a resume on Dr. Johnson is available at www.AdvanceAmerica.com.
Miller restated, “It’s time for a change in Indiana government. It’s time for the Senate and the House to have a fair, full and open debate along with a vote on the floor of the House and Senate so that all 100 Representatives and all 50 Senators can have the chance to vote to Repeal Property Taxes.”
More information on Advance America’s plan to repeal property taxes, as well as upcoming events, can be found at www.AdvanceAmerica.com or by calling 1-800-448-8683.
Advance America is a non-partisan educational organization that does not endorse any candidate or political party. Advance America was founded by Eric Miler in 1980.
Miller is an attorney and the Founder of Advance America, a conservative pro-family and pro-tax reform organization started in 1980.
Miller was joined by the following Legislators who support the Constitutional Amendment to Repeal Property Taxes: Senator Phil Boots, Senator Dennis Kruse, Senator Brent Steele, Sen. Greg Walker, Senator John Waterman, Rep. Jim Buck, Rep. Woody Burton, Rep. Eric Koch, Rep. Cindy Noe, and Rep. Jackie Walorski. Also in attendance were individuals representing numerous taxpayer groups around the state and Attorney John Price who is the Chairman of the Indiana Property Tax Repeal Alliance, Inc.
Prior to discussing the study Miller stated, “It’s time for a change in Indiana government.” He pointed out that Repealing Property Taxes is the only way:
1. To let someone finally own their own home, farm or business;
2. To let Hoosiers vote to Repeal Property Taxes;
3. To stop future property tax increases;
4. To save over $100 million in administrative expenses;
5. To stop incorrect assessments and
6. To not repeat history by raising existing taxes or creating new taxes in exchange for temporarily lowering property taxes.
Miller stated that the opponents of our effort to Repeal Property Taxes have used scare tactics to try to stop this effort. “The opponents have said that in order to Repeal Property Taxes the state would either have to raise the sales tax to 13% or raise the income tax to 9%. These opponents are intentionally trying to mislead the public. They didn’t consider the impact of controlling state and local government spending in our proposal or the time it would take to Repeal Property Taxes with a Constitutional Amendment.”
Dr. Craig L. Johnson served as the Consultant to review Advance America’s Property Tax Repeal Plan. He has been at Indiana University since 1992. Dr. Johnson is an Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs at SPEA-Bloomington. Dr. Johnson received his Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. degrees from The University at Albany, State University of New York. His primary research interest focuses on improving how government finances are managed.
Dr. Johnson’s Study shows conclusively that Advance America’s Plan is fiscally sound and doable. The Study points out that if property taxes are repealed with a Constitutional Amendment, property taxes can be replaced:
1. By controlling government spending at the state and local level;
2. By setting up a Property Tax Elimination Fund to receive state money over and above the state spending control. This fund will also serve as a rainy day fund;
3. By enacting a 2% sales tax increase and a 1% income tax increase and business replacement revenue of $951 million only after the voters vote in 2010 to Repeal Property Taxes; (This amount for business replacement revenue is not a tax increase. It represents a reduction of over 50% in the amount businesses would be paying in property taxes in 2012 according to Dr. Johnson.)
4. By using over $100 million in administrative savings from Repealing Property Taxes.
5. The figures supporting our plan do not include any growth in state sales or income taxes from economic development that occurs from the Repeal of Property Taxes.
6. Additionally, the figures do not include interest on the Property Tax Elimination Fund which is estimated to be in excess of $250 million in 2012.
The entire text of the Study including a resume on Dr. Johnson is available at www.AdvanceAmerica.com.
Miller restated, “It’s time for a change in Indiana government. It’s time for the Senate and the House to have a fair, full and open debate along with a vote on the floor of the House and Senate so that all 100 Representatives and all 50 Senators can have the chance to vote to Repeal Property Taxes.”
More information on Advance America’s plan to repeal property taxes, as well as upcoming events, can be found at www.AdvanceAmerica.com or by calling 1-800-448-8683.
Advance America is a non-partisan educational organization that does not endorse any candidate or political party. Advance America was founded by Eric Miler in 1980.
Miller is an attorney and the Founder of Advance America, a conservative pro-family and pro-tax reform organization started in 1980.
Bill to control local debt approved by Senate committee
Walker: Local debt is significant factor in rising property tax bills
(STATEHOUSE) –Legislation to control and manage local debt was approved today by the Senate State Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. Senate Bill 18 is co-authored by Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus).
“Approximately 24 percent of the net property tax levee is used for debt service, and the average annual increase of school and local debt was about 9.5 percent per year from 2000 to 2006,” Walker said. “If we want to control property taxes, we must control government spending. This bill encourages local government to pay off debt rather than extend it.”
Other provisions of the bill include:
Prohibiting extension of bond pay-off dates;
Mandating that savings realized as a result of refinancing must be used to repay debt or reduce levies instead of starting other projects or making new improvements;
Requiring a steady level of retirement of principle throughout the financing period, ending a common practice of paying small amounts of principal early in loan period; and
Lowering the threshold that triggers County Project Review to the lesser of $7 million or .5 percent of taxable assessed valuation. Dillon said this would protect people living in smaller, less populated areas, giving them a voice in projects that may not be as large as projects in more densely populated areas but still requiring significant additional tax burdens to residents of a particular township.
According to Walker, SB 18 is a result of recommendations made by the Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy which met throughout the fall of 2007 to study ways to reform Indiana’s broken property tax system.
As part of his commitment to controlling government spending and debt, Walker introduced legislation today to require school corporations to study affordability of projects before issuing bonds or entering into rental agreements.
Senate Bill 276 would require the Department of Local Government Finance to collect, organize and publicize data regarding affordability measures that include:
· Outstanding long-term debt divided by median household income;
· The percentage change in the school corporation’s population over the last five years; and
· The percentage of mortgage foreclosures within the corporation during the preceding three years.
These bills are part of the Senate’s effort to provide property tax relief by tightening controls on issuing and retiring of debt, providing increased scrutiny of costly government projects and reforming Indiana’s overlapping layers of government, Walker said.
Sen. Greg Walker represents Senate District 41, which includes Bartholomew and Johnson Counties.
(STATEHOUSE) –Legislation to control and manage local debt was approved today by the Senate State Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. Senate Bill 18 is co-authored by Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus).
“Approximately 24 percent of the net property tax levee is used for debt service, and the average annual increase of school and local debt was about 9.5 percent per year from 2000 to 2006,” Walker said. “If we want to control property taxes, we must control government spending. This bill encourages local government to pay off debt rather than extend it.”
Other provisions of the bill include:
Prohibiting extension of bond pay-off dates;
Mandating that savings realized as a result of refinancing must be used to repay debt or reduce levies instead of starting other projects or making new improvements;
Requiring a steady level of retirement of principle throughout the financing period, ending a common practice of paying small amounts of principal early in loan period; and
Lowering the threshold that triggers County Project Review to the lesser of $7 million or .5 percent of taxable assessed valuation. Dillon said this would protect people living in smaller, less populated areas, giving them a voice in projects that may not be as large as projects in more densely populated areas but still requiring significant additional tax burdens to residents of a particular township.
According to Walker, SB 18 is a result of recommendations made by the Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy which met throughout the fall of 2007 to study ways to reform Indiana’s broken property tax system.
As part of his commitment to controlling government spending and debt, Walker introduced legislation today to require school corporations to study affordability of projects before issuing bonds or entering into rental agreements.
Senate Bill 276 would require the Department of Local Government Finance to collect, organize and publicize data regarding affordability measures that include:
· Outstanding long-term debt divided by median household income;
· The percentage change in the school corporation’s population over the last five years; and
· The percentage of mortgage foreclosures within the corporation during the preceding three years.
These bills are part of the Senate’s effort to provide property tax relief by tightening controls on issuing and retiring of debt, providing increased scrutiny of costly government projects and reforming Indiana’s overlapping layers of government, Walker said.
Sen. Greg Walker represents Senate District 41, which includes Bartholomew and Johnson Counties.
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