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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
Just days left to speak your mind on critical legislative issues
By Jane Fribley
Will essential decisions be made or postponed again? Will you have made your opinions known? The Indiana General Assembly 2002 Session is required by law to adjourn March 14.
The coming primary and fall elections are an ever present concern of the incumbents and political parties. What will the voters think?
By the time you are reading this column, bills that have survived action in both houses are in the final period of compromising changes made in either house. This is also the time when, in the past, compromise committees have tucked in unrelated defeated issues they want.
Just a few contacts from constituents have been known to influence the decisions made. One person can make a difference. We've seen it happen. You do not need to know the bill number. The number may change during the session as related bills are combined. Name the issue in your letter, e-mail or call, and state your opinions. Call Senators at 800/382-9467, Indianapolis 232-9400; Representatives at 800/382-9842, Indianapolis 232-9600.
Some key pending issues (at press time):
- Taxation -- from what sources should money most fairly be raised in order to cover essential state bills: property, income, sales, luxury, other taxes? How much do we need to pay the state's essential bills for a) services/education, health, safety; b) Improvements/roads, social services oversight, buildings, parks. c) development/to create jobs, research, and other state expenses.
- Prison ombudsman program -- agreement is needed on how to activate this program passed overwhelmingly last year, but the governor vetoed it. It's not too late to override the veto.
- Death penalty juvenile exemption -- Complete action on the bill to exempt from the death penalty crimes committed when perpetrator is under 18 years of age.
- Property tax laws -- Clarify property tax law so as to exempt religious and service groups owning extra land used for relevant programs, just as for educational institutions.
- Build Indiana Fund -- Establish standards and enforcement oversight for use of the Fund (state revenue from gambling).
Other issues of concern:
- Defeat efforts of legislators to be exempt from Indiana Open Door and records laws and ask them not to override the governor's veto.
- Stop efforts to escalate gambling in the state. This is a no-win method of balancing the budget. Most of the revenue is made by the operators and taken out of state.
- Approve bills passed in House and Senate to assist and enable would-be organ and bone marrow donors with costs for screening and state workers time off.
- Review closure plans for Muscatatuck State Development Center. Those remaining to be placed are the severely mentally and physically handicapped, unable to care for themselves or participate in tasks expected in current group home routines.
- Postpone legislators' salary increases, as they've done for other state workers.
- Call for annual inspections of county jails.