This letter showed up in our mailbox last week. We asked permission to print it and it was granted provided we shielded the author's name. You see, Tremco Roofing, doesn't play fair.
Curiously enough, Dr. James Mervilde, superintendent of Washington Township Schools, sits on the Educational Service Center Board. --HFFT
1/27/2008
To whom it may concern:
The school corporation is buying Tremco roofing materials through the Educational Service Center, at costs 2-3 times that of other quality manufacturer’s, many located in the State of Indiana. The school corporation then takes bids for the labor, from several contractors. The hidden factor is that only Tremco contractors can bid, and the school board may not even know about the purchase of materials. They only see that 3-4 contractors bid.
Tremco is a very good company, but their products are very expensive, and their attempt to control the client and lock out the competition is well known in the roofing industry.
It was reported that Phil Smith, the facilities director for Washington Township Schools was flown by Tremco to Cleveland and wined and dined.
It is believed that all of the roofing undertaken by Washington township Schools during the past 4 years has cost Indiana taxpayers over $500,000.00. This would be the difference between the expensive Tremco products and other quality manufacturer’s.
Phil Smith would like everyone to believe they are competitively bidding their work, but in reality they are only Bidding Tremco across the board.
A roll of Firestone or Johns Manville modified is approximately $60.00/per roll. On the other hand a roll of Tremco modified is approximately $185.00/per roll. With the Service Center discount of 13.3% the price is lowered to $160.00/per roll. On a 50,000 square foot roofing project the cost difference amounts to $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 more for a Tremco Roof. Tremco builds other costs into the contractors bid, such as full time inspections. The owner never sees these items. Also the contractors love bidding Tremco because their profits double over ordinary roofing projects.
Sincerely,
(name withheld on request)
Business Development / Account Management
Monday, February 11, 2008
Worthy roofing business that didn't get Washington Township work from Mervilde
A lesson in why your property taxes are so high
Welcome To My Tea Party reported last week on some interesting statistics from the Wilson Education Center, which is a government agency that supposedly gets volume discounts for Indiana's schools. The blog clearly shows how much extra taxpayers are spending for Wilson Education Center's discounted goods versus what taxpayers would pay if our lazy educrat administrators actually shopped their local businesses for bids.
Something tells us that a lot of businesses would be happy to give schools even a better deal, just because they want to be good citizens and help out our state. They also would probably benefit from a little free advertising by being able to put their sign in the school yard while they were working.
Sadly, the status quo keeps many qualified mom and pop businesses from getting to compete for local work in favor of hiring the big out-of-state companies like Tremco and their lobbyists they send to the state house each year to make sure you, the taxpayer, continues to get ripped off.
Why the 1% cap is unfair
There seems to be some momentum at the statehouse for the 1% property tax cap. Even Mayor Ballard, who promised us he would use his position to back property tax repeal, seems to be giving into the governor's well-meaning plan to cap property tax.
But will a 1% cap work?
How can it? As long as it requires an assessor to make a judgement value concerning a property's worth, it will be unfair.
Perhaps we need to revisit Ed Angleton's lesson in creative assessing. He's the Cottage Home resident who saw his taxes increase by more than 800%! The assessor appraised his house many times higher than his neighbors. Do you think he has a prayer of selling his home? The government buried him! Where is he going to get the money to pay the 800% tax increase? From his home maintenance budget? From his savings account? What necessity will have to be trimmed from Ed's budget to pay the bill?
We get calls and emails from all over the state from citizens who complain that their property assessments are far above what they can get for their homes and that political cronies inside the machine often see substantially lower assessments.
As long as an assessor judges the value of a home, the homeowner loses. The cost of assessing our homes is also quite expensive. Property tax administration and collection is far more costly than sales or income tax collection. For instance, county assessor Greg Bowes testified that Marion county's reassessment will cost our taxpayers $1.8 million! He also testified that we will only see a 5% reduction in tax when we finally get the new bills. Within a few weeks, Marion county homeowners will be faced with paying last years' tax increase as well as this years' full bill.
This policy is going to create havoc for mortgage companies and our escrow accounts.
Is it moral for a government to charge its citizens tax on unrealized capital gains? Why would you remove the incentive for hardworking Hoosiers to go into distressed neighborhoods to buy and rehab abandoned homes? Why should they if they have no guarantee that they can pay their property tax after they invest their sweat equity? 6
Property tax is clearly unfair policy. The truth of the matter is that the entire legislature is covering for the fact that for years they have used your home as collateral against bond indebtedness. They allowed thousands of non-elected officials and boards raise your taxes to pay for their pet projects like football stadiums, libraries, and swimming pools.
Yet they can't seem to find the money to pay for textbooks. Each time the state mentions budget cuts, they start whining that our children will suffer! Sounds like their education already is suffering since we force parents to pay as much as $500 for their children's textbooks each year.
The truth is that our property is held hostage to the wasteful construction bond debt, not school books or teachers. These feigned cries are more likely from legislators swayed by the ISTA. Ask any teacher and they will tell you that they have little involvement with the ISTA. That's the educrats whining, not the teachers.
Our lawmakers also flat out refuse to acknowledge that the state is in violation of Article 8 of the Indiana Constitution which states that school funds shall be collected from business, not homeowners. When realtor and property tax repeal advocate, Mike Rowe, brought this up at Channel 13's state house forum, his point was purposely ignored by panelists Espich, Orentlicter, Kenley, and Crawford. Obviously our Constitution and the rule of law means nothing to any of them.
What legal loophole exists to get us out of the fact that our government stole our homes to use as its bond debt collateral?
Can anyone offer a legal strategy?
U.S. Economy on the brink: Why Sean Shepard is running for Congress
In the essay below, Sean Shepard shows he has a clear grasp of the problems of our nation and how our policy is playing out with other nations. We have not yet seen essays or editorials by the other candidates on the mounting economic issues facing us. We need representation that is well informed and who have studied the issues for years. Sean is an expert on the Fair Tax.
Most Americans have no idea how fast our country's wealth is leaving our soil.
While Sean for years has deeply contemplated the complex issues facing our economy, Elrod is busy fundraising and Carson is busy cutting commericials...commericials that remind us too much of Peterson's slick ads sans substance. -- HFFT
U.S. Economy on the Brink
by Sean Shepard
from: http://www.shepard2008.com/
It’s frightening to be an American these days. But despite the declining popularity of the United States government throughout the world, terrorists wearing bomb-belts aren’t what keep me up at night.
I’m concerned about the very foundation of the American economy.
In November, Citibank, our nation’s largest bank, sold nearly 5% of itself to Abu Dhabi’s ’sovereign wealth fund’ (that is, basically the government of the United Arab Emirates), diluting its US investors, in response to $11 billion in projected losses due to the Federal Reserve induced credit meltdown.
But it gets worse. In December, Morgan Stanley agreed to sell a $5 billion stake to China Investment Corp (the Chinese government) after projecting nearly $10 billion in losses. And just a week earlier, UBS AG sold 9% of its equity to Singapore Investment Corp (the government of Singapore) after absorbing a $10 billion write-down.
As our financial crisis worsens, more of these ‘deals’ are looming in the future.
Our current politics-as-usual leaders aren’t talking about it, but the trend is strikingly clear. America is sinking into debt and auctioning itself off to the developing world!
Our own government has led the way in this sellout. To finance our foreign wars and massive entitlement programs, we’ve been rapidly falling into debt to the rest of the world. China has been particularly happy to finance our extravagance.
The Chinese government now owns over one trillion of dollars of US government debt and currency. Their ’support’ (or perhaps, ‘enabling’) has had the effect of propping up our ailing currency, sickened by continuing deficits and monetary inflation.
We are on the verge of losing our comfortably privileged position in the world. One Federal Reserve banker has noted that the US is already technically bankrupt, if we include our future Social Security and Medicare obligations. The head of the General Accounting Office, a federal watchdog group, is literally touring the country to raise awareness of these issues. Apparently he gets a better reception in small town American than from our ‘leaders’ in Washington D.C.
Our currency continues to drop in value and our taxes on productivity (vs. consumption) remain high (one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world). I’m not so sure terrorism is our number one concern. Our country’s economy could be destroyed in a day, not by someone with a bomb or hijacked airplane, but by foreign nations losing confidence in the dollar as the de facto world currency and dumping them in exchange for Euros or some other currency.
Nobody need fire a shot. The bills just need to come due and we will be toast. And if you think the national debt is only $9 trillion, keep in mind this excludes future obligations. The current amount our government owes is something closer to $53 trillion ($400,000 per American family per the GAO). Think about that for a minute, the Federal Government could take EVERYTHING we make for 8 to 10 years and still not have enough to cover what’s coming.
It’s time for a change in direction. Democrats want larger, more expansive government. Republicans have managed to grow our government spending at an astonishing rate in the past 8 years. Even our beloved Ronald Reagan lamented the fact that the deficit exploded during his presidency, it is often cited as his biggest regret. Out of the current crop of Presidential candidates, only one of them is trying to seriously address the coming fiscal crisis and his wise council has, unfortunately, earned him very little respect. The time for politics (and politicians) as usual has gone, we cannot afford our overseas empire any longer and we can’t afford the usual crop of Democrats and Republicans any longer.
This is just one reason why I will be on the ballot for the upcoming special election to replace The Honorable Julia Carson and represent Indiana’s 7th District.
No more games. No more horse trading. No more career or hereditary politicians running for their own celebrity and self-importance. We have serious issues facing our country and desperately need a change in direction. Let’s say “no” to the two “old parties” who got us here and start the change right in the heartland, the bread basket of America. Indiana has a chance to take the lead, let’s not let that chance be wasted by voting for more of the same.
Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group plans Indiana Tea Party
Activists with Hoosiers For Fair Taxation met on Saturday with members of the Team Hammond Taxpayers' Group to plan the March 1st Indiana Tea Party in Crown Point, Indiana.
The tea party is at 1pm at the Government Center in Lake County. There will be a caravan from Indianapolis driving up to join them.
This tea party will be a national and local media event designed to send yet another message to our legislators that the People want property tax repeal and transparency in government.
Our groups will invite media from the Louisville, Indianapolis, Chicago, Evansville, Ft. Wayne, and South Bend markets.
If you want to join our lively caravan, which will leave from the Meridian Kessler neighborhood at 10 am on March 1st, please email us. If you have a van or bus and would like to drive, we would love to hear from you!
We are also working with activists in New Albany for a tea party on the Ohio River, hopefully for later in March 2008.
History of the property tax crisis
The Indianapolis Star organized and published links to the headline stories surrounding the property tax crisis. Included in the stories is the July 14th article that talks about the different camps of tax protestors.
Sean Shepard, candidate for 7th district congressman, helped to lead the first July 4th protest at the governor's mansion. He attended every single rally last summer. He not only attended, but he helped plan, organize, and lead the rallies alongside Andy Horning and Melyssa Donaghy.
In contrast neither Andre Carson or Jon Elrod ever attended even one rally or showed public concern regarding the #1 issue facing all Hoosier homeowners and the top news story of the year.
While a Congressperson has no say over local propety tax matters, our house representative Jon Elrod does. It would have been nice to see Elrod at our rallies lending moral support. If he didn't represent us last year by showing up when we took to the streets, what makes you think he will represent us any better in Washington?
Andre Carson was never there with us and for us either. In fact he's the least qualified for Congress. Sorry but being Julia's grandson is not a resume credential.
Ballard testifies this morning before state legislators
Abdul Hakim Shabazz reports on Indiana Barrister blog:
"Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is testifying this morning before the House Ways & Means Committee on the Governor’s Circuit breaker plan which would put hard caps on property tax assessments.
Ballard told the committee he supports the caps in the wake of eliminating property taxes. However, he also said the best thing the state could do is give Marion County the tools it needs to solve its own problems. Those tools include government consoldation (particularly the township fire and trustee offices).
State Representative Peggy Welsh asked if the Mayor would support an increase in the Local Option Income Tax to offset the tax caps. Ballard told her it would not fly in Marion County. Ballard also told the committee he is also looking at saving from not renewing some large city contracts and reviewing city processes.
Ballard also said the state could help out by picking up the costs of the city’s police and fire pensions which cost the taxpayers about $26 million last year.
Committee Chairman Bill Crawford pointed out the revenue losses from a number of city agencies such as Indy Go, the Library and Health and Hospital. The agencies would lose about $16 million under the tax caps, however a more telling story is that the Mayor does not have direct control over each of these municipal corporations which are allowed to spend the taxpayers money with no real direct accountability. This, in my opinion, is an even bigger issue.
And despite the “cuts” Representative Jeff Espich pointed out that government will still grow at an average four percent a year, so over a three-year period, with an average of a five percent cut in government funding, the locals would still come out ahead with seven percent more of the taxpayers money. The cut, Espich says, is a one time loss.
The committee did not take a vote on the bill.
In retrospect though, all this continues to prove to me that there is too much government in Indiana and it’s time for sharp cuts and bigger consolidation and let the chips fall where they may."
"Confused Children" ad? How about ads for "Homeless Parents"?
Indiana Equality website reports that "the AFA of Indiana has launched a massive radio campaign urging Hoosiers to contact their legislators in support of "traditional marriage". The ad titled 'Confused Children' features children questioning the implications of same-sex marriage in Indiana. " To hear the statewide version of this new ad, click here.
We overheard someone say at a political fundraiser last week that Eric Miller of Advance America is going to kill any chance of property tax repeal because he continues to cause divide by pushing the marriage amendment (SJR7) and its anti-freedom message.
Groups like AFA and Advance America care more about screwing with Hoosiers' personal freedom than they do protecting the roof over your head. This is evidenced by the fact that they continue push their selfish agenda during even a short session as Hoosier homeowners face a very real housing crisis. The marriage amendment issue got a great deal of time in the 2007 session. The 2007 session failed to avert the property tax crisis.
In 2008, Eric Miller and the AFA continue to push the marriage amendment agenda in spite of the fact that most Hoosiers, including many conservative camps like Frugal Hoosiers, are fed up with it.
Marion county will have our new bills ready soon. Greg Bowes, county assessor, testified in last year's city council budget hearing that your property tax bill will not change much. He estimated our bills might see just a 5% decrease.
This reassessment cost our local government another $1.8 million. Wanna bet we don't see our reassessed property tax bills while the general assembly is still in session?
We hope you still have your torches and pitchforks.
Sadly, it seems that might be the only way we'll get through to these arrogant, insensitive knuckleheads that the People mean business and most Hoosiers do not want our legislators spending time on the marriage amendment.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Muncie woman selling hierloom jewelry to pay property tax
Our activist Max Katz launched this estate jewelry auction to help a woman in Muncie stay in her home. The ring will make a lovely Valentine gift.
Special thanks to tax repeal advocate Charlie Walker of Petri Custom Jewelers for generously replacing a couple missing stones before the auction was launched.
Patriot Paul "The March 11th Lightweight Fight "
‘Super’dog Carson vs. Underdog Elrod vs. Unknown Sean Shepard
Three lightweight inexperienced contenders, will battle on March 11th for the congressional vacancy left by the late Julia Carson. For the Democrat Andre Carson, who filled a 2007 vacancy for Indianapolis City County Council, his first vote for a tax budget he likely had never seen, shortly after his welcoming introduction by then President, Monroe Gray, sent concern among many that he was only the Democrat’s water boy.
In stark contrast, Republican Jon Elrod, was on the Center Township Board, and repeatedly asked for the budget and annual report prior to voting on them, but the board was dismissive (IBJ Feb.11-17). This odd behavior of those in charge of taxpayer money may not be untypical of those many agencies that spend first and worry later about the consequences later (i.e. a system that pervades Indiana from Hammond to New Albany). In fact, why worry about the consequences; just spend the money because they can; not because of the ill affordability of it. Two thumbs up for Jon Elrod for asking the fiscally responsible question and later became State Rep.
As heir apparent of Julia Carson’s grandson, Andre Carson jumps in the ring’s left corner with Democrat laced gloves, including blessings from Louis Farrakhon. This coming bout, if he wins, may result in a super dog becoming a superdelegate from Indiana for the Democratic National Convention having independent influence to choose between Hillary and Barack in a tight national election.
In the right hand corner is Jon Elrod whose gloves spell “budget reform” on one glove and “tax repeal” on the other.
Activist Sean Shepard enters with Libertarian laced gloves; one glove marked “Americans for Tax Reform” and the other “Civil Liberty Protection”.
Hoosiers deserve to see and hear these candidates in order to make an informed decision. Who is the first contender to step into the ring and demand a debate before the slugfest?
Patriot Paul
7th District congressional candidates Elrod and Shepard with Congressman Burton
Hearty thanks to Hoosier Access for linking up a recent interview with Libertarian Sean Shepard and Republican Jon Elrod. Congressman Dan Burton, a Fair Tax co-signer, speaks as well.
The People's Mayor Comes To The State House
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, showed leadership during his campaign, by supporting and offering to lobby the legislature for the repeal of property tax.
Abdul is reporting on Indianabarrister.com, that Mayor Ballard has accepted an invitation to testify this Monday (2/11), before the House Ways & Means Committee, on property taxes and Senate Joint Resolution One. The committee meets at 10AM, in Room 404 (State House).
Contact your legislators and let them know, they should be turning up and tuning in; for repeal.
7th District congressional candidate for March 11 election signs taxpayer protection pledge !
Sean Shepard Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge
The taxpayers will find no better friend in Congress, once elected, than Sean Shepard
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Sean Shepard, candidate in the 2008 special election for Indiana’s 7th Congressional District, signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge today. The Pledge, sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform, commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates." ATR has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987.
"The local property tax crisis has made evident the harm that out of control taxation can cause,” Shepard stated. “We need to vigilant on the Federal level as well to ensure that people are able to keep the fruits of their labor."
Shepard joins four sitting Indiana congressmen who have also signed the pledge. To date, 43 U.S. Senators, and 196 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Pledge. Seven Governors and over 1,100 state legislators have signed the Pledge as well.
"I am committed to supporting reform and simplification in the United States tax code and reducing the tax burden on all American Citizens,” Shepard promised.
Copies of the Pledge are available at www.atr.org or by calling (202) 785-0266.
Sean Shepard is a life long resident of Indianapolis and local businessman. He is married with two children who attend private Christian school. Mr. Shepard has been active in local politics for several years, has worked with Americans for Fair Taxation and helped organize and coordinate several of the local property tax protests in 2007. Mr. Shepard's policy approaches support affordable healthcare, lower taxes, protection of civil liberties, border security, school choice and a strong national defense.
###
Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose any and all federal and state tax increases. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact John Kartch at (202)785-0266 or by email at jkartch@atr.org.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Constitutionalist Andy Horning seeks Libertarian nod for Governor
We were delighted to see the message below on Andy Horning's blog. Don't be afraid of the Constitution. It's really ok to obey it. Its authors carefully crafted it to protect the People. How else will we as a nation actualize our purpose if we do not honor it? Do we not owe it our framers to respect it?
-HFFT
When you need a job done right… I’m running for the constitutional office of Indiana Governor, and I’ll be seeking the nomination of the Libertarian Party, since the GOP has proven that it is more enemy than friend of liberty and justice.
The GOP has chosen to cast Ron Paul into the dustbin, so things aren’t looking great on the Rule of Law front nationally. Since Indiana is number 45 in the primary crapshoot, and the “contest” will be decided by then, we won’t even have a national say in the matters of liberty, security, peace and prosperity.
…Or will we?
I’ve decided that I must offer ROL here in Indiana. Nobody else has stepped up to do it. I expect I’ll be the only candidate for the constitutional office of Indiana Governor.
But one is better than none, eh?
I need all the help I can get. It doesn’t matter what you think you know, or what skills you possess. This is all about spreading the message that liberty works/ that politics does not; and I need your ingenuity and personal connections to do this.
You can start working on the campaign this very minute. Tell everybody you know to do the same. There is an alternative. We can govern our government.
The constitutions are already written, already proven, and already the law. We just need somebody to dust them off and use them …just as the constitutions demand.
I would honor the oath ““to support the Constitution of this State, and of the United States…” (Article 15, Section 4 of the Indiana Constitution). And if you’ve read anything in this blog, you know that says a whole lot that needs saying right now. Honoring that oath would mean a drastic, immediate and cleansing change for Indiana…and the USA.
If you’re interested in joining the fun, let me know immediately!
Also, we’ll be setting up a website at http://www.horningforgovernor.com and http://www.horning08.com Tell everybody. Start now.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
FairTax Event - July 9, 2007 - Indianapolis, IN
Sean Shepard, candidate for Congress on March 11, was one of the key activists who put together this forum. This forum was the first education forum in Indiana in response to the property tax crisis.
The event was covered on all four news channels and the Indy Star.
The other candidates were not there or at any other forum, educational event, or rally concerning the #1 crisis in Indiana.
Sean was there all along giving YOU representation as an activist.
The Howey Report: "There’s a revolution underway in Indiana and it’s about to hit the schools."
Indiana’s tax revolution coming to education
By BRIAN A. HOWEY
INDIANAPOLIS - I heard the news today, oh boy. Michigan City Schools could lose $1.4 million in 2009 if Gov. Mitch Daniels’ cap’n'cut tax reforms pass. Indianapolis schools could lose $14 million. South Bend could lose $6.84 million, Hammond $13 million, Gary $8.2 million. Wayne County schools could lose $1.2 million in 2010.
Centerville Supt. Phil Stevenson told the Richmond Palladium-Item, "It’s a killer.
Gov. Mitch Daniels with students in Terre Haute. One of his first acts as governor was to freeze school construction projects. Now his caps could revolutinize school funding. (HPI Photo by Brian A. Howey)It knocked the wind out of me. It’s just another blow for education."
And yet this plan passed the Indiana Senate. It voted 41-7 for Senate Joint Resolution 1 on the constitutional caps for property taxes. It voted 47-1 on SB12 on the circuit breakers. Similar legislation passed the Indiana House 93-1. So is the governor and the legislature sticking the shiv into public education?
What I didn’t understand is how public schools could be losing all this money when the House legislation, for instance, calls for the state to fund 100 percent of school operation and transportation costs. Currently, the state funds 85 percent and your local property taxes pay for the remaining 15 percent. If the state is paying 100 percent of the operational costs, how come we are hearing about teacher layoffs?
"The governor’s plan provides that the remainder of school operating and transportation costs are picked up by the state," said Daniels spokeswoman Jane Jankowski. "The figures the school corporations are discussing are the effects of the circuit breakers on remaining spending from property taxes once the plan is implemented. The latest Legislative Services Agency report on the Governor’s plan as introduced shows collectively that the impact to school corporations is about $153 million less statewide once the circuit breakers are fully implemented in 2010."
The shortfalls come in places like debt service and capital projects. Jankowski adds, "Even with that circuit breaker impact, schools will still have 7 percent more in 2010 than in 2007. The governor’s plan does not include an offset to the cap for schools. Limiting local government and school spending is one of his core plan elements. Or as he described it to the Association of Indiana Counties, taxpayers don’t need to be funding "exploding scoreboards and edgeless swimming pools."
"The plan includes the ability for schools to move money among funds, so school corporations will be able to use operating and transportation dollars to manage the circuit breaker," Jankowski explained. Budget Director Ryan Kitchell told HPI, "The governor has been pretty clear that what he wants to try and achieve is a tax cut. We want to take care of schools. We’re going to pay for all the school costs, the bus drivers, the fuel. One thing we think is real important is in all these different funds, you’re locked in. There might be $10 million in one fund and we wanted to reduce some of the barriers. There will be a lot more flexibility there. We think it will help them manage and not just squeeze."
Andrew Norris, policy analyst for Senate Republicans, explained, "School districts must continue to pay their debt service obligations, which means any loss in funding due to implementation of the circuit breakers will force school districts to make cuts to their capital projects fund. The superintendents do not want to see their ability to build new schools impaired by a lack of funding due to the circuit breakers. They are also not in favor of the governor’s plan to offset any losses by transferring monies from other funds, namely the operating and capital projects funds."
The Indiana State Teachers Association opposes the state assuming 100 percent of the general fund. It says that property taxes have been a stable funding source, economic forecasts are predicting an economic slowdown, and 950 schools have not made the Adequate Yearly Progress mandated by the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind. "Demanding more of students while providing less instructional support is unfair, especially for students most in need of additional assistance," said ISTA Executive Director Warren Williams.
"School general fund property taxes are not the cause of the current property tax issues," said the ISTA’s Nathan Shnellenberger.
There are points where the ISTA appears to approach the governor’s perspective. It advocates separating school construction projects into "learning facility" and "auxiliary facility" components, and urges "local units of government to collaborate on the construction and use of auxiliary school and community facilities."
In my school district, taxpayers are paying for a $14 million swimming pool (it was originally proposed at $20 million) while there is a YMCA across the street that just went through major renovation. Daniels is asking school districts to start sharing football and basketball stadiums. He is urging districts to consolidate, as did the Kernan-Shepard Commission. There is legislation, for instance, that would pool school construction blueprints so that each new school project doesn’t start from scratch. A middle school in Lawrenceburg might just look like one in Auburn. "I understand the logic behind having a common set of blueprints to use, and I think that would save money, and in many cases that would be reasonable," ISTA’s Schnellenberger said.
Derek Redelman of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce explains that the ISTA wants to control the general fund rates. "That hits right at the problem with property taxes," he said.. "They’ve seen the property tax as the guarantee for the amount of money. They could get whatever money they needed. Taxpayers are saying, ‘We’re not going to take that any more.”"
Redelman predicts that when the caps pass (and they almost certainly will), "the immediate focus will be on cutting teachers." When Daniels was asked recently about teacher cuts, he responded by asking why would teacher cuts be the first option?
"Everyone focuses on teachers," Redelman said, adding that half of school employees in Indiana are not teachers. "Why not the janitorial staff or assistant superintendents? If schools end up facing cuts, we’ll see story after story about teacher cuts," he said.
There’s a revolution underway in Indiana and it’s about to hit the schools.
Greg Ballard on Property Tax
Abu Henderson holds the microphone for Greg Ballard last summer during a tax protest led by Hoosiers For Fair Taxation. Greg Ballard says "PROPERTY TAXES HAVE TO GO". Mayor Ballard needs YOUR support and encouragement to talk with the legislature to continue to push for property tax repeal.
Indiana Equality to host forum to 7th district special election candidates
Below is information we found on a forum hosted by the gay community and is focused on where the candidates stand on gay related issues. We still feel strongly that a debate between the three candidates needs to take place. -HFFT
7th District Special Election Candidate Forum
Jesus Metropolitan Community Church
2950 East 55th Place, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008, 7:00 p.m
Posted on gayindy.org
Please join Indiana Equality for a candidate forum for Indiana's Special Election to elect a new Member of Congress to represent Indiana's 7th Congressional District All official candidates for the special election will be invited to participate.
This is THE opportunity for you to ask questions of your candidates for Congress about their views on issues relevant to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Hoosiers
Attend the February 20th forum to find out the candidate's opinions on:
The Federal Marriage Act
The Mathew Shepard Act
The Military's Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy
Funding for the Ryan White CARE Act
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
Additional information regarding the February 20th Candidate Forum will be posted on the Indiana Equality website (www.indianaequality.org) as it becomes available.
On the Web:Indiana Equality Website
Contact:info@indianaequality.org
Apology to Jon Elrod and correction
According to Rep. Jon Elrod he was not requested to raise $300,000 for the Republican party, but is only fundraising for himself. We stand corrected and apologize for what was stated in an earlier post on this blog.
Jon Elrod was asked about hiring 1 to 1 Media, the marketing company connected with Eric Miller's Advance America. Elrod said his campaign hired the company and he didn't know who was hired. He also said his website is built and he has no plans to change it. He mentioned he felt no need to speak out publicly on this because his record supporting the hate crimes bill and his stance against SJR7 speaks for itself.
Jon has not shown himself in any way to be an ememy to the taxpayer. Overall Jon's record and hard work is an ally to the taxpayer.
However, can he do more for the taxpayer on the property tax repeal front? And why is he not committed to finish the term he was elected to complete as a state representative for the constituents in his district?
