Sandy's Report from the House
May 10, 2009
Dennis Trowbridge of Lyons wrote me expressing his frustration, dissatisfaction and displeasure with the focus and direction of state government. He and his family cannot comprehend the single-minded obsession of the Administration's compulsive need to accumulate more money in the "rainy day" fund. Dennis and his family, like thousands of other Hoosier families need help in coping during this economic storm. Dennis believes we should be doing more to help - I agree.
We have an Administration that ignores the needs of families. They ignore the less fortunate; their policies neglect senior citizens and the needs of our children. There is little concern for those most in need of help and assistance. The Department of Family and Childrens Services appears more concerned about cutting costs, awarding privatization contracts and reducing services than they are about delivering urgently needed services. Family needs and child welfare are secondary concerns to them. It is a disaster!
The most fundamental function of government, aqt any level, is to protect and serve the people. Someday we all will be called to account for our time on this earth. Our actions and deeds will be measured. We will all have to answer for how we provided for those in need, those who most needed help. We will be judged on how well we protected the weak, those helpless to protect themselves. We will be judged on our compassion. We will be called on to answer how we treated our parents and grandparents and how we provided for our children.
I cannot imagine that we will be judged on the amount of money in our rainy day fund.
Government is a collective effort, a process that should be dedicated to the people. Government should be more concerned about the people than political philosophy or economic theory. It is morally indefensible to allow children to go hungry and without medical care. It is a disgraceful thing to neglect those who suffer when we have the ability and capability to help. We, as a government, should be about the business of helping people gain a foothold toward a better life and a brighter future. I am not talking about government handouts - I am talking about investing in our friends and neighbors. I am talking about empowering people - helping people help themselves.That helps us all.
Our government should be better than this.
As Mary Puntney of Bloomfield and School Superintendent Gerald Jackson reminded me, funding for education is an essential investment in our children and a necessity for our State. Yes, education is expensive and costs continue to climb. If you think about education solely in terms of cost, can you imagine how much more an ill-equipped and uneducated generation would cost? Ignorance is far more expensive than education!
Mary is appalled, are are many of us, by the Administration's callous and calculated closure of the Soldiers and Sailors Home at Knightstown.
The Legislature found a place in the budget (that failed) for Knightstown. We found a place in our collective heart for those children most in need. We thought the Governor heard us; we thought he heard the pleas of the people interested in Knightstown's preservation. We hoped that the circumstances and growing need for that special place would soften his heart. Looks like he measured things by a different standard.
The coming special session will focus on creating a budget, an economic plan and funding wish list. There are one hundred voices in the House; sometimes they're all speaking at the same time. Most everyone has at least two opinions about everything. This special session will, hopefully, be a time and an opportunity to address some of the neglectful policies and get attention for the most pressing needs of the people.
I will give my one voice and my only vote to the people of this district.
There are some other things going on around this district that I want to share.
Jerry and Carolyn Fuhs invited me to the grand opening of the Big Splash Adventure Waterpark and Hotel. What an exciting day for Jerry and Carolyn! What a great day for Orange County and the surrounding area.
The Big Splash - is just that! It is the most impressive, family-oriented development I have ever seen! The technology that creates this spa is worth the price of admission. The amenities are excellent, the atmosphere friendly and kids will love it! Please come to French Lick - bring your family - see for yourself. I promise it is worth the effort.
Jerry and Carolyn are reflective of our good people all across this district; they have pride; they have vision; they have the courage to venture toward something great!
Past Reports:
