Total Senate budget savings were $1.9 million, or 13.9 percent of its overall fiscal year 2010 budget. These savings are in addition to the 4.8 percent that was trimmed by Senate leaders during the course of the budget-writing process last year. The Senate has achieved cost savings by finding operating efficiencies, eliminating non-essential expenditures, going without pay raises for two consecutive years and suspending new hiring for all but essential personnel.

“Indiana Senate leaders understand that government is not recession proof,” Long said. “Hoosier families, businesses and farms have had to do some serious belt-tightening during this economic downturn, and we must do the same. By being responsible with the taxpayers’ money now, Indiana will be positioned to emerge from this recession stronger and in better shape than many other states.”

When the 2010 fiscal year ended last Wednesday, state tax revenues were about a billion dollars short of budgeted amounts, due to the ongoing effects of the global recession. The significant revenue shortfalls led Gov. Mitch Daniels to reduce state agency budgets by at least 10 percent from their fiscal year 2010 budgeted amount in order to improve the state’s bottom line. He has called on the legislature, the courts and other elected officials to find savings of their own. The Senate exceeded this 10 percent goal by voluntarily cutting 4.8 percent during the budget process and reverting an additional 13.9 percent through cost savings.

Long noted that reducing spending will help lawmakers avoid an economy-killing tax increase during already tough times.

“The best thing government can do to help pull us out of this recession is to create an environment where private enterprise can flourish,” Long said. “One of the best ways to do that is to keep the tax burden low. Controlling state spending and finding efficiencies wherever we can will help us sustain a good business climate.”

Kenley questioned recent political criticisms of the state’s job growth and pointed to a June 19, 2010, article of the Wall Street Journal identifying Indiana’s economic successes as best in the nation.  

“Indiana has seen the largest percentage in jobs through the year, rising 1.9 percent on a surge in manufacturing jobs,” the Journal reported.     

Kenley cited Daniels’ work with lawmakers to control state spending and avoid new taxes as major attractions for new and retained employers. 

He clarified confusion some critics may have regarding rewards new and expanding employers are sometimes offered.

 “With the national recession, it is understandable some jobs have not come to Indiana as fast as we would like. However, many job-inducements Indiana successfully offers come in the form of rewards – after the jobs are created. You might not know this by listening to the critics.” 

Kenley pointed out where upfront monies are used and jobs do not materialize, a state law allows officials to seek refunds of incentives. Such claw backs, as they are known, may be in proportion to the degree of default by the recipient.   

State lawmakers are becoming more engaged in economic development efforts than at any time in state history, Kenley said. 

“House Enrolled Act 1086, passed this year, provides for an in-depth review by a bipartisan panel of best practices in state and local economic development policies,” Kenley said. “This first-ever state study will look closely at the use and effectiveness of tax credits and deductions, whether there are any specific sectors of the economy for which Indiana might have comparative advantages and the extent to which Indiana’s tax laws encourage business investment.”  

Kenley said both House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) and Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) will each name a co-chair to this important interim study committee. 

“State leaders all have important jobs to do on behalf of the people of Indiana – especially for our unemployed and underemployed,” Kenley said. “I think Hoosiers appreciate the hard work of the Daniels’ administration and see political gamesmanship for what it is. Especially now, we all need to do our parts to promote Indiana to outside employers, not tear down our state’s efforts and qualities.”   

“Legislators achieved our top priorities by delaying $400 million in unemployment insurance premium increases to help avoid layoffs and create jobs, passing sweeping government ethics reforms, as well as allowing Hoosiers to have the final say on whether property tax caps should become permanent,” Kenley said. “In all, 115 bills were passed and signed into law benefitting children, taxpayers, employers and employees, homeowners, military troops and gun owners.”   

Kenley offered a snapshot of new laws set to go into effect on July 1:  

Child Support: In an effort to collect more than $2 billion in overdue child support payments, lawmakers passed a bill to withhold casino winnings from those who ignore their court-ordered obligations. The Indiana Department of Child Services estimates more than 165,000 “deadbeat parents” each owe more than $2,000 in support payments. Colorado passed a similar law in July 2008, resulting in more than $320 million in delinquent payments.  

Drunken Driving: Legislation designed to stiffen penalties against drunken drivers also memorializes an innocent victim, an Indiana family’s unborn son. In 2007, Danielle Brookshire lost her unborn son in a car crash believed to be caused by a drunken driver. Lawmakers worked with Brookshire and local prosecutors on the bill’s language. 

Costly, Crowded Prisons: Senate Enrolled Act 415 eases the burden on Indiana’s over-crowded correctional facilities and saves tax dollars. Every year of incarceration costs taxpayers at least $20,000 per inmate, and SEA 415 allows parole boards to consider early discharges for long-term, non-violent offenders who have been incarcerated for 21 consecutive years and have completed a four-year college degree or other approved community transition program. 

Utility Co-Ops: Lawmakers passed a measure allowing rural telephone and electric cooperatives to merge into single co-ops. Supporters of Senate Enrolled Act 126 say merging co-ops could increase the utilities’ management efficiencies and streamline efforts to more cost-effectively bring service to Hoosiers in rural communities.  

Independent Research: In an effort to make the legislative branch less dependent on lobbyists for research on public policy topics, Senate Enrolled Act 84 allows lawmakers and the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency to access state-funded research resources at Indiana colleges and universities. Feasibility of establishing a research and policy development division will also be explored. 

Voting Accessibility: House Enrolled Act 1109 makes voting easier for those with disabilities and military personnel serving our country overseas. The new law ensures disabled voters have the same access to private, independent voting methods when casting ballots early or absentee as they do when voting on Election Day. It also provides more options for military personnel to cast a vote when serving overseas. 

Property Rights: Aimed at protecting Hoosier homeowners’ rights to display political signs on their property, lawmakers approved a bill allowing homeowners associations to regulate but no longer ban the display of political signs during election seasons. Senate Enrolled Act 64 prohibits associations from adopting restrictive rules that outright prohibit the display of political signs 30 days before an election. Associations may still adopt and enforce rules restricting the size, number and location of signs. 

Motor Vehicle Offenses: Senate Enrolled Act 93 seeks to protect roadside workers by stiffening penalties for drivers who fail to slow down and move over when approaching a stationary utility vehicle on the side of the road. Senate Enrolled Act 170 increases penalties for drivers who kill a law enforcement officer or law enforcement animal, like a K-9 dog, while driving drunk or resisting arrest. 

Suicide, Violence Education: Senate Enrolled Act 226 establishes a study of teen suicide and prevention measures, including teacher training to recognize early signs of suicidal tendencies in youth. Senate Enrolled Act 316 requires the Department of Education to develop dating violence education materials, which can later be used to assist schools with preventive programming.

Gun Rights: House Enrolled Act 1068 aims to keep the names, addresses and other identifying information of more than 300,000 Hoosiers with handgun licenses – also referred to as concealed carry permits – confidential, like tax records. House Enrolled Act 1065 prohibits most businesses from enacting policies that prevent licensed gun owners from keeping legal firearms in their locked vehicles out of sight.

“This organization is all about neighbors helping neighbors,” Merritt said. “It’s a great thrill to be able to work off the clock with our staff and other volunteers to help make the dream of home ownership come true for a Hoosier family in our community.” 

Merritt said Habitat for Humanity assists local families who cannot qualify for conventional mortgages by partnering with volunteers to help build a safe and affordable place to call home. Families are required to complete a homeownership training course, work at least 300 hours on their home build and purchase their homes through a zero interest rate mortgage.

According to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis website, the organization has built more than 225,000 houses around the world, providing more than a million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Here locally the organization has built 374 homes for Hoosiers in need.

For more information on how to become a homeowner or to volunteer your time, visit the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis website at www.indyhabitat.org.

By State Sen. Brent Steele (R-Bedford)

Defending the rights of more than 300 million United States citizens is one mission our military men and women undertake each day. They don’t fight for one viewpoint or another; they fight for freedom, valiantly defending it at home and abroad without question – even for those critical of our government’s mission or the forces trying to accomplish it.

But I can’t envision our founding fathers – many of whom had strong religious beliefs – condoning what happened to the families of Maj. Gerald Bloomfield or Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder in the name of free speech. Just as the founding fathers put checks and balances in place for our branches of government, there have to be reasonable limits as to what can be done through the First Amendment – and in each case I believe the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) crossed the line.

Established in 1955, the Kansas City-based religious group makes headlines by protesting at the funerals of fallen soldiers. The group pickets military funerals because it believes God kills U.S. soldiers to punish the country for tolerating homosexuality. Their signs of hate attempt no personalization or singling out of any specific soldier’s sexual orientation. Their vulgar protests have a one-size-fits-all mentality.

Yet, the damage done is so very personal.

In the 2006, the WBC protested the funeral of Elkhart resident Maj. Gerald Bloomfield. The Marine was killed after his helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations in Iraq. During Bloomfield’s funeral, members of the WBC held their signs of hate and spewed their words of disrespect to the fallen Marine and his family.

Taking the lead to protect the sanctity of funerals and prevent similar protests, the Indiana General Assembly supported a bill I introduced in 2006 requiring protesters to stay 500 feet away from a funeral home, procession or grave site. Soon after its passage through both houses, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill into law.

Recently, Indiana again took steps to shield grieving families from protesters at funerals by joining 47 other states and the District of Columbia in submitting a brief to the United States Supreme Court supporting a Maryland father’s lawsuit against the WBC. Albert Synder’s son, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, was killed in Iraq and his burial was picketed by members of the WBC.

At the center of the case is whether or not the church’s proclamation of anti-gay slurs and words of hatred at funerals are protected under the First Amendment. In the beginning, a Maryland court ruled in favor of the father, stating the church invaded the family’s privacy and caused emotional distress.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond, Va. overturned the lower court’s verdict. In its opinion, the court stated the protesters’ speech, while “utterly distasteful,” is protected under the First Amendment because it is a form of hyperbole or exaggeration, not an assertion of actual facts about the soldier or his family.

While free speech is a protected right, there are private times in our lives where family is present and outsiders just aren’t invited to share their opinions. One of those times is the birth of a child; another is the burial of a loved one.

Would these protesters be “free” to stand at the foot of my wife’s delivery table and hold up signs saying they hope my baby dies at birth? No, they wouldn’t. Therefore, what is the difference when I put my dear son in the ground and lay my head on his casket for the last final touch before dirt is placed over his body to seal him away from me forever? They have no right there, either.

If Thomas Jefferson, himself, could have attended the funerals of Maj. Bloomfield and Lance Cpl. Snyder, I believe he would have been saddened – perhaps even outraged – at the protestors. Clearly, that’s not what he and the founding fathers intended with The First Amendment. It just doesn’t go that far – not to the birthing table and not to the grave.

Kenley (R-Noblesville) said in other states, recessionary budget cuts for K-12 have been deep and widespread. Reductions of 10 percent or more have become the norm and some have curtailed calendars or slashed statewide programs.

In Indiana, Kenley said Gov. Mitch Daniels and legislators have worked to protect tuition support. Adjusting for declining revenues, Indiana reduced state agency budgets by 15 percent - or more - before school funding was trimmed by 3.5 percent as a last resort. With K-12 receiving about half the state’s budget, most realized if trends continued, reductions couldn’t be avoided, Kenley noted. 

“Through the years, Indiana has been steadfast in supporting student success,” Kenley said. “Lawmakers have increased overall education funding every year since 1995, including a 10 percent increase during the first five years of the Daniels administration.”

According to Kenley, Indiana’s average funding per child per year hovers around $10,000. He also said Indiana’s average teacher salary, when adjusted for the state’s low cost of living, ranks seventh in the country.

“In 2008, during the worst recession in generations, Indiana teachers’ salaries rose 2.2 percent statewide while average Hoosier workers’ decreased by 2.4 percent,” he said.

Kenley cited these actions as examples of how important student funding is to state officials and how hard lawmakers work to keep it the top priority.

“Political critics may often lash out about school funding, but rarely mention financial hardships faced by Hoosiers today,” Kenley said. “Taxpayers’ ability to fund government is always limited, but especially during a recession.”

Kenley stressed that Indiana residents from both parties are passionate about promoting academic excellence and prioritizing student funding.

 ”We are as committed as any voters and any legislators in any states to quality educations for our children and grandchildren,” Kenley said. “As Indiana heads into a new budget-writing session, K-12 will surely remain our priority and the biggest slice of the pie. But we must all understand the deep national recession has now made that pie smaller for everyone.”

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