tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25354582247376686402024-03-12T21:20:50.464-05:00TEAM HAMMOND TAXPAYERS' GROUPUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-52786948394708847732011-11-28T16:05:00.001-06:002011-11-28T16:06:49.690-06:00Happy Holidays!Team Hammond will be taking a break for the Holidays. There will be no meetings in November or December.<br /><br />The next regular meeting will be the last Tuesday in January, 2012.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-14830354153248180232011-10-24T17:42:00.000-05:002011-10-24T17:43:18.417-05:00Rittenmeyer On Ethics in Local GovernmentOctober Team Hammond Meeting<br /><br />Guest Speaker: Shared Ethics Advisory Commission<br />DENNIS RITTENMEYER<br /><br />ETHICS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT<br /><br />Tuesday, October 25<br />6:30 PM Meet and Greet --- 7 PM Program<br />Everyone is invited -- Bring a friend<br /><br />NOTE THE NEW LOCATION<br />Community room of the Main Branch of<br />Hammond Public Library<br />564 State Street, Hammond, IN<br />(Across the street from All Saints Church)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-51205321139212673552011-09-22T13:14:00.002-05:002011-09-22T13:22:06.015-05:00Mike Repay On How Government Works -- or Doesn't Work!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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-92185674492147287172011-08-28T13:47:00.000-05:002011-08-28T13:48:30.178-05:00Cid to be Speaker for August Team Hammond MeetingLake 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"
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<br />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
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<br />Please note this is a new meeting location for Team Hammond.
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-89062793007989442232011-06-22T12:48:00.001-05:002011-06-22T12:50:30.767-05:00Conservancy District InformationThere 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.<br /><br />Also there will be an important public discussion of the Conservancy Distict plan at the Hammond City Council meeting on Monday night, June 26.<br /><br />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)<br /><br />Just a reminder - there will be no regular Team Hammond Meeting in June or July. The regular meetings will resume in August.<br /><br />For more info on the conservancy district or team Hammond meetings, call 678-6761.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-39440220726555245752011-05-26T14:35:00.002-05:002011-05-26T14:37:44.696-05:00May General MeetingThe 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.<br /><br />The subject will be Hammond's Casino money-- where does it come from and where does it go?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-13318696809495432502011-04-19T16:51:00.003-05:002011-04-19T16:55:20.814-05:00Candidates Night at April MeetingThe April meeting of Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group will be Tuesday evening, April 26 at the Woodmar United Methodist Church at 7230 Northcote in Hammond.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Come meet and talk to those seeking to guide Hammond into the next era.<br /><br />Meet and Greet at 6:30, open forum will begin at 7 PM.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-84914742609454655442011-03-24T14:47:00.001-05:002011-03-24T14:47:38.134-05:00March Team Hammond MeetingTeam 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Meet and greet with candidates will begin at 6:30; the program begins at 7 PM.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-7284356063986395832011-02-20T22:41:00.003-06:002011-02-21T16:51:45.185-06:00"February" meeting planned for March 1The Primary election in Hammond promises to be very exciting. Several Team Hammond regulars have filed to run for office.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Hope to see you all there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-63423528706644787822011-01-27T12:04:00.003-06:002011-01-27T12:09:51.573-06:00Questions to Bosma focus on educationIndiana house speaker addressed 100 people in town hall meeting at IPFW.<br /><br />By Bob Caylor<br />of The News-Sentinel<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.”<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-28709722578466894292011-01-24T10:14:00.001-06:002011-01-24T10:15:50.271-06:00Team Hammond General MeetingThe 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<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />THe primary election in May and the general electionn in November will mean lots of discussion of candidates and issues.<br /><br />Plan to come to the meeting on Tuesday Jan. 25 and help Team Hammond plan their direction for the new year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-87444517462521652192010-09-20T10:25:00.003-05:002010-09-20T10:49:07.868-05:00TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETINGThe 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-57501068334608213262010-06-25T23:47:00.003-05:002010-06-26T00:25:21.572-05:00INSTALLATION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS<div id="ms__id15">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.</div><div id="ms__id16"> </div><div id="ms__id17">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.</div><div id="ms__id18"> </div><div id="ms__id19">Come show your support for George by attending the meeting on July 1, 2010. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-47596046880641861692010-06-25T23:21:00.003-05:002010-06-25T23:28:03.888-05:00TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING<div id="ms__id593">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.</div><div id="ms__id595"> </div><div id="ms__id594">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.</div><div id="ms__id597"> </div><div id="ms__id596">Anyone interested in good government and property tax reform is invited to attend. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-17709003933829439252010-05-18T23:30:00.003-05:002010-05-19T00:12:58.584-05:00NORTH TWP. TRUSTEE MRVAN TO SPEAK AT TEAM HAMMOND MEETING<div id="ms__id341">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.</div><div id="ms__id343"></div><div id="ms__id342">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. </div><div id="ms__id344"></div><div id="ms__id345">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.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-72687244689178597042010-05-03T12:01:00.004-05:002010-05-03T12:25:42.105-05:00REMEMBER TO VOTE ON MAY 4<div id="ms__id17">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.</div><div id="ms__id19"></div><div id="ms__id18"></div><div id="ms__id72">Why should you vote in tomorrow's primary? Because there are important elections being held; namely, school board. </div><div id="ms__id22"></div><div id="ms__id23"></div><div id="ms__id73">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. </div><div id="ms__id36"></div><div id="ms__id37"></div>Are you happy with the direction the school city is taking?<br /><div id="ms__id38"></div><div id="ms__id39"></div><div id="ms__id74">If you were a family with young children looking to purchase a home for the first time, would you move to Hammond? </div><div id="ms__id40"></div><div id="ms__id41"></div><div id="ms__id75">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? </div><div id="ms__id42"></div><p>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.<br /></p><div id="ms__id27"></div><div id="ms__id28">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.</div><div id="ms__id43"></div><div id="ms__id32"></div><div id="ms__id76">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.</div><div id="ms__id34"></div><div id="ms__id35"></div><div id="ms__id77">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. </div><div id="ms__id44"></div><div id="ms__id45"></div><div id="ms__id78">Vote tomorrow and do it for the students of Hammond. Their future depends on it.</div><div id="ms__id29"></div><div id="ms__id30"></div><div id="ms__id25"></div><div id="ms__id26"></div><div id="ms__id24"></div><div id="ms__id21"></div><div id="ms__id20"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-34095705634967128332010-04-22T23:22:00.009-05:002010-04-23T00:10:50.626-05:00CANDIDATES' NIGHT FORUM<div id="ms__id900">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.</div><div id="ms__id203"> </div><br /><div id="ms__id24"></div><div id="ms__id25">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. </div><div id="ms__id199"> </div><div id="ms__id200"> </div><div id="ms__id151"></div><div id="ms__id152">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. </div><div id="ms__id201"> </div><div id="ms__id202"> </div><div id="ms__id154"></div><div id="ms__id155">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. </div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id157"></div><div id="ms__id158">For more information, contact Jim Sheehan at 844-1417. </div><div id="ms__id30"></div><div id="ms__id29"></div><br /><div id="ms__id901"></div><br /><div id="ms__id902"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-6804337674896996632010-02-19T18:43:00.003-06:002010-02-19T20:04:31.095-06:00TEAM HAMMOND CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT FOR HAMMOND SCHOOL BOARD<div id="ms__id304">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.</div><div id="ms__id305"></div><div id="ms__id306"> </div><div id="ms__id330">George and Elizabeth will be running against incumbents Albertine Dent, Deborah White, and Lucinda Murphy. </div><div id="ms__id308"></div><div id="ms__id309"> </div><div id="ms__id331">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. </div><div id="ms__id316"></div><div id="ms__id317"> </div><div id="ms__id332">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. </div><div id="ms__id315"></div><div id="ms__id312"></div><div id="ms__id313"></div><div id="ms__id314"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-43588209786340776032010-02-19T18:40:00.003-06:002010-02-19T18:43:24.048-06:00TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETING<div id="ms__id293">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.</div><div id="ms__id294"> </div>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.<br /><br /><div id="ms__id295">Anyone interested in fiscally responsible government is welcome to attend. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-16131112393771835952010-01-28T22:58:00.004-06:002010-01-28T23:03:35.257-06:00SENATE APPROVES SWEEPING REDISTRICTING REFORMS<div id="ms__id487"><strong>GOP bills would establish objective guidelines, bipartisan review of other states' best practices</strong></div><div id="ms__id488"><br />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.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />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:<br /><br />• Preservation of traditional neighborhoods;<br />• Preservation of local communities of interests;<br />• Protection of minority voting rights;<br />• Simply-shaped, compact districts; and<br />• Respect for county and precinct lines.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />SB 80 and SB 136 now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.<br /><br />From Indiana Senate<br />01/28/10<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-62091828222155505992010-01-21T11:12:00.004-06:002010-01-21T14:41:51.647-06:00IT'S UP TO THE VOTERS NOWOn 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.<br /><br />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<br />voter referendum in November. The referendum requires a majority to make the caps permanent and place them in the Constitution. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-18048534309522210492010-01-19T23:35:00.001-06:002010-01-19T23:35:46.823-06:00TEAM HAMMOND GENERAL MEETINGThe 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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Any interested in property tax reform and good government are welcome to attend. For more information, contact George Janiec at (219) 678-6761.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-42730776006899738452010-01-19T23:30:00.000-06:002010-01-19T23:32:36.801-06:00A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IkSafouipjA/S1aVL4prO7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/YfKnNMFJojM/s1600-h/vote+them+all+out.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IkSafouipjA/S1aVL4prO7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/YfKnNMFJojM/s400/vote+them+all+out.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428690432259996594" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-21104781329346883412010-01-19T23:26:00.001-06:002010-01-19T23:29:28.822-06:00SAY NO TO SENATE BILL 309The Indiana Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee has a public hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 21, at 9:00 AM, on Senate Bill 309.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />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.<br /> <br />Informed Hoosier taxpayers must insist that their General Assembly public servants oppose the property tax abuse in BAUB #1.<br /> <br />From Watchdog IndianaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2535458224737668640.post-1335366192992378782010-01-18T17:16:00.001-06:002010-01-18T17:23:03.784-06:00HOUSE BILL 1001: LOBBYISTS AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONSTAXPAYER FRIENDLY<br /><br />STATUS: HB 1001 was passed by the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee 9-0 on December 16, 2009. <br /><br />TESTIMONY - December 16, 2009 - House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee:<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />2. The minimum reportable amount for a single gift received by a legislator or legislative candidate is reduced from $100 to $50.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />12. Persons with contracts with state government, or who bid on contracts with state government, must register with the Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA).<br /><br />13. The IDOA must make the information about state contractor registrants available in a searchable database on the IDOA’s web site.<br /><br />14. State contractor registrants must notify their affiliated persons that they are registered.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />16. Contractors or bidders who violate the registration statutes may be found nonresponsible and have their contracts voided.<br /><br />17. State officers, employees, and appointees in the executive branch may not accept inherently incompatible outside employment.<br /><br />18. The Inspector General must create procedures for the issuance of advisory opinions granting approval for certain state employees to have outside employment.<br /><br />19. If state contractors recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally make prohibited contributions, then they commit a Class B misdemeanor.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />(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.<br /><br />(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.<br /><br />(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.<br /><br />(4) Ordinary citizens will continue to not have the same time as lobbyists to make their points during public hearings.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />From Watchdog IndianaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com