IndyTaxHike.com

If you did not hear Mitch Daniels speech on Tuesday October 23rd, here are the highlights.

1. Property taxes would be capped at 1%
2. Adding 1 % to the sales tax
3. State would take over 3.1 million in school and child welfare taxes
4. State would eliminate a 2 million dollar tax credit that it gives to local governments
5. Eliminate the majority of state assessors

OK… So what does it really mean.

1. The timing of this announcement could not have been worse for Ballard and his supporters. Just like Bart Peterson and the stadium deal, here comes Mitch to the rescue.  Mitch could have easily waited till after the election to announce this.  I guarantee that you will hear Bart supporting this on the next debate.
2. What happens in 2007?  No one knows yet but from what I surmise, we will be receiving 3 tax bills this year.  It sounds like a catch up amount that will be due on April 15th 2008.  

I must say, the 1% cap does sound attractive to me.  My personal tax bill would be more than cut in 1/2 compared to the last assessment.  But what do we do with the 2007 balance?  I will not pay the 3rd bill.  At least not right away.  In fact, I would like to see everyone abstain from paying that last bill.  The more the merrier.In regards to the Ballard campaign, just like Daniels, there are a number of things that Bart has done that are good, it’s just that now all of his taxes have come back to bite him.  Without this whole “tax issue” going on, not only would Bart win by a land slide, but Ballard would not even be running.  Although he is not saying it publicly, Micth appears to be supporting Bart instead of his own candidate.Here are a few of the questions I still have.

1. Why did it take this tax crisis to figure out that we don’t need 1100 assesors?
2. Why didn’t Bart pull the plug one bringing home cars 8 years ago, saving 45 million dollars along the way?
3. I have so many issues with the school system.  Why are costs so much higher today when the enrollment is less than 1/2 of what it was 20 years ago?  Why are the school building funds and salary funds separate?  As I understand it, the building funds must be spent every year or they are lost? 
4. Bart… you raised taxes to be tough on crime, 90 million to be exact.  Of that 90 million, less than 12 million is for new officers on the street.  Here is the PDF breakdown.  85% of these monies is for administration BS.

Whats next…  Well if you listen to idiots like Bauer, he has already made the point that the legislature will want to put their stamp on Daniels proposal.  What does this mean?  It means adding a bunch of pork and crap that help benefit each politicians constituents.  I would also say…. GET RID OF THEM ALL!!!  They screwed things up… They knew they were doing it when they did it… and they no longer deserve our trust.  I will shortly post a list of the incumbents.  If you have this list please forward it in a comment.

The Voice

BALLARD CALLS FOR ACTION TO CURB RECENT NORTHSIDE CRIME EPIDEMIC

Police Consolidation is not Working, Mayor Must Reestablish Community Policing in Indianapolis

Indianapolis- Greg Ballard, Republican candidate for Mayor of Indianapolis, today criticized the Mayor for not taking public safety seriously.  Standing in front of a burned out building, rumored to be a pea shake house, Ballard lamented inaction in the wake of recent increases in crime.

“Despite what Bart Peterson says, his police consolidation was a failure and the recent rash of murders and arsons on the near north side is an unfortunate reminder of Bart Peterson’s poorly executed plan.” Ballard stated.  “Police response times have significantly increased since the merger, and unfortunately police are stretched too thin to adequately protect city residents,” Ballard continued.  Ballard made his remarks in the wake of a murder spree near the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood in the past few days. 

“If Bart Peterson were serious about public safety, especially on the near north side, he would have taken steps to get back to community policing,” Ballard said.  Ballard continued, “The Mayor refuses to acknowledge that police in the neighborhoods establishing ties with the communities is the most effective way to prevent crime.  If he had heeded our call months ago to re-open the North District sub-station, the violent crimes plaguing this area could have been prevented.”

In response to the City County Council’s vote last night to park 400 city-owned cars, Ballard said, “The Council did not go far enough.  Some of those cars could be sold, and still more non-emergency officials need to give up their city cars for personal use.”  Ballard continued, “Unfortunately, the Mayor’s administration is still playing politics with our public safety, and not giving the police what they need to protect our city,”

Ballard continued, “Why do Monroe Gray and Vern Brown still use their city cars for their own personal use?  They are non-emergency city employees who drive around on the taxpayer’s dime.  Why is the Mayor not calling on them to lead by example and give up their city cars too?  It’s time to put politics aside and protect the citizens of Indianapolis.”

“If I am elected I will strengthen community policing, establish successful neighborhood efforts like former Mayor Goldsmith’s “Front Porch Alliance” and I will work to convince the City Council that ultimate authority for law enforcement should be placed back under the office of mayor,” said Ballard.

Image courtesy of www.bartlies.com

He sure does have a good presence, but unless his head rolls, the rest of the general assembly will just go on with business as usual.  For video click here.