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.