Sandy's Report from the House
May 10, 2009
April 29th came and went without an agreement on the budget. Now a special session will be called to address the matter of money and how it is to be allocated. We have been told that the Governor will participate in these negotiations, something he declined to do during the regular session. His ideas and proposals will be appreciated.
As the regular session adjourned, the Governor suggested that we go back to our districts and talk with real people. I have been doing that every day. I think perhaps the Governor should get out of Indianapolis, drive south on Highway 37 and meet with the people as well. Reality is a lot different out here. There are other ideas and a different perspective than those that float around in the State House.
The people I've talked with are puzzled by the single-minded focus on building a larger "rainy day fund" while this storm of economic uncertainty continues. There is a feeling that the surplus we have is adequate and that there is no urgent and pressing need to accumulate more money while people suffer. People who understand business are aware of the maxim that you cut costs and make efficiencies when times are GOOD and you look to expand and invest when times are BAD.
The budget cannot expand with revenues reduced; all of us with families know that. No one is seriously considering an increase in taxes. It is not possible to tax our way out of an economic crisis. The limited funds available to State Government must be spent wisely and with caution. Like any business, we should look for the greater return on our investments.
We must find a way to fund education for our children. I have talked with school superintendents across this district. They are all concerned about the funding proposals for education. Dr. Alva Sibbitt of Paoli Community Schools says the impact of the proposal would be a disaster to our children. Superintendent Ronald Bush of Linton-Stockton Schools is concerned about reductions to the General Fund and changes to the school funding formula.
Superintendent Jim Terrell at Orleans tells me that his school system is struggling to manage the funds they have. He said it was his understanding and expectation that the Federal stimulus money would be used to enhance the education budget, not cut the budget and supplant the difference with stimulus. Superintendent Gerald Jackson of West Washington Schools questions the thought process that led to this neglect of education. He doesn't know where schools are expected to find the funds they need to provide the education our children require.
I do not understand the reasoning behind the underfunding of our schools. It is short-sighted and unfair.
There are some rays of hope. There is some optimism. We are, after all, a resilient and strong people. We have a record of accomplishment and achievement upon which to build. We are a people who believe in the future and we know how to "make do". Our local governments across this district face economic uncertainty - confident that we will find a way.
Linton looks to the future and plans for growth. Mayor Tom Jones, his administration and the city fathers have positioned Linton to be among the first communities in Indiana to qualify and receive Federal stimulus money. Mayor Jones told me of the uncertain economic future in store for cities, towns and county government. He understands the challenges and he has determined a course of action without waiting. Linton is busy planning for the future, planning to grow and looking for ways to help their people.
Greene County Commissioners John Wilkes, Steve Lindsey, and Kermit Holtzclaw and I had an opportunity to meet and talk about their needs and concerns. They wonder why rural areas are neglected. They wonder why the Governor and the Legislature worries about bailouts for Indianapolis while the rest of the State is neglected.
Mayor Jones and Curt Todd of Linton took that question one step further; they asked why there is no help for any other local government entity.
Good questions. Questions I have asked at the State House and I'm still waiting for an answer. I will keep asking.
When we go back for the special session, I can tell the Governor, I will report to the Speaker that I have talked to real people. I have met with people who pay taxes. I have met with people who have children in our schools. I have talked with my friends who are unemployed. I have met with people who need help. I have done as the Governor requested - do you suppose the Governor has done the same?
John "Alex" Cochran, a senior at Bloomfield Schools is the recipient of this year's Lilly Endowment Scholarship for Greene County. Congratulations and GREAT WORK!
