Indiana

WILL THE FOURTH TIME BE A CHARM?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels delivered his fourth, and what could be his final, State of the State address tonight. In the nearly half-hour long address, the Governor reiterated his property tax reform plan to lawmakers and told them not to make any plans for Spring Break if the job wasn?t done.

Daniels said he wanted to provide Hoosiers with immediate tax relief, constitutionally cap homeowner assessed values at one-percent and increasing the sales tax by one-percent. He wants to have the state pick up the costs of child welfare and school operation costs.He wants a uniform property tax system and controls on local spending and borrowing.

The Governor did not address the issue of repealing property taxes. His staff said he has already spoken on the issue and does not support any of the current property tax repeal plans because he says they don?t add up.

Daniels told lawmakers he will keep them there for as long as it takes to solve the property tax crisis. However, he said the bi-partisan spirit and cooperation that the General Assembly has taken on property taxes gives him hope that the problem can be solved.

Daniels also touched on some of Indiana?s accomplishments such as the state?s low unemployment rate compared to neighboring states and shorter times at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (an average wait last month of 8 minutes and 11 seconds). Daniels also addressed the shortcomings of his administration saying some experiments had worked poorly and were abandoned.

The main objective Daniels put out for his administration this year was to improve child support enforcement. Saying single parents lose more than $5 million a year in uncollected child support.

Overall the Governor, seemed positive an upbeat in his address. However, he also acknowledged the reality that his efforts of the past four years may be rewarded with him being returned to the private sector. And while he closed his speech with words of ?bravery and bipartisanship? he also quoted the motto of Special Olympics, Win or lose, may I be brave in the attempt.?

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on January 15, 2008 (boomark / email).