|
|
By Christopher Simpson
Few elections garner less attention than state legislative races. And it is a rare day when even a majority of eligible voters cast ballots for members of the Indiana General Assembly.
We should all be ashamed.
Christopher Simpson
Vice President Public Affairs and Government Relations |
Pick a candidate -- any candidate -- and get involved. Question them on the issues most important to you and our state, and get involved -- and vote.
Why?
The balance of Indiana's House of Representatives is dead-locked at 50-50. A few votes here and there can determine who leads the House. And those leaders will shape much of the fiscal and public policy decisions of our state in future years.
Much is at stake. So we encourage you to look at the candidates, study their positions and, most importantly, vote on Nov. 3.
To better educate and encourage our readers, the Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations gathered responses from candidates in House and Senate races that include our campuses.
We asked specific questions (see below) related to higher education, and asked only that answers be brief. To be fair to all candidates, we asked identical questions and did not allow blanket statements.
Our goal is to educate and to increase participation in the election process. We do not, and will not, endorse candidates or political parties.
But we will seek to better educate the IU family on issues of concern.
In future election cycles, we hope to expand this to include more legislative races and the congressional candidates.
In short: get involved, support the candidate of your choice.
See you on election day.
| C A M P U S C O N N E C T I O N S | ||
|---|---|---|
| Campus | House District | Senate District |
| Bloomington | 60 | |
|
|
61 |
|
| East | 54 | |
|
|
56 |
|
| IUPUI | 99 |
|
| Kokomo | 30 |
|
| Northwest | 15 |
|
| Southeast | 72 | 46 |
| South Bend | 6 | 11 |
Hoosiers for Higher Education Web site:
 http://www.indiana.edu/~alumni/hhe.html
Vote Smart Web site:
Indiana General Assembly Web site:
|
||
1. Prioritize your top three issues for the 1999 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
2. How important is a well-funded, well-performing system of higher education in Indiana? Why?
3. The state's public higher education institutions have requested that the 2 percent monies established for technology be placed in our base budgets rather than be an add-on. Will you work within your caucus and with other legislators to ensure this happens?
4. Property tax relief will be one of the major issues of the 1999 session. Will you commit to support only tax decreases that do not jeopardize the financial support the state gives to higher education?
KEY:(D) = Democratic Party(I) = Independent (L) = Libertarian Party (R) = Republican Party
|
B. Patrick Bauer (D) Incumbent
Did not respond to survey questions.
Zeal Fisher (R)
1.
3. I will support and promote necessary funding for collegiate expenditures. I will work hard to support these programs.
4. Certainly, I will.
Michael Backlund (L)
 Backlund |
2. Obviously, it is very important to have a well-funded and performing system of higher education, however, not everyone takes advantage of higher education or wants to. They should not be paying for a service that they do not want. This would increase competition, but that is okay. People need to make those decisions as they do with a business. In addition, by getting rid of the personal property tax it will give people the ability to make that decision for themselves and where their dollars should go. With no property tax, the money that would have gone to state government would remain with the people who are better able to decide what they want to support.
3. If I wanted your support I would agree to this, but I cannot completely agree. I would prefer a compromise. I believe in freeing up tax dollars and reducing the size of government which will directly benefit individuals.
4. Taxes should be more on businesses and less on the individual property owner. However, if we reduce the size of government then the burden will be less for even businesses. There is so much waste even at the state level, such as the Department of Eggs, which receives $35,000 per year for what? Inspecting eggs.
Tim Fesko (R) Incumbent
 Fesko |
1. My first priority is to assist the citizens of Indiana with a permanent property tax relief, i.e., we have to prioritize the relief measures such as relief from the county welfare system, and second, by replacing our inventory tax that would encourage businesses to locate in northwest Indiana. This would be a strong economic development tool, yet it also must be done without harming any needed services.
My second priority is to help craft a balanced budget, one that would be fair, yet because one of my own personal priorities is with education, I would have particular interest towards education; K-12 and higher education.
My third priority is to develop a fair and equitable system for electrical utility deregulation. By fair and equitable, I mean to both residents and to businesses and industry. We have several models from other states that we can learn from so that we can set it up correctly.
2. Higher education is both a personal and a professional priority for me. Higher education should be given priority in the products and services that the state does provide. In fact, higher education is one of our top exports, which is not one that we should be proud of. We need the supporting work environment that would provide jobs to those with college degrees. We also need to provide an added inducement for Indiana residents who are attending college to stay in Indiana after completing their degree. Maybe we could offer something on the order of signing a pledge to remain in Indiana and the state would provide a credit towards tuition.
3. Yes, 2 percent is a reasonable request for technology. In fact, technology is so much a part of our overall work environment and the way we do business today that we have to support technology. You have my support.
4. We need to closely define the question. Property tax dollars stay within the county; they don't go into the general operating budget, which is where higher education is funded. However, the business inventory tax is in the general operating budget to approximately $350 million. We must make it an equitable system and consider creative ways of replacing this revenue. With a gradual decrease in the business inventory tax rate of five to seven years, it will provide us with an opportunity to introduce new businesses that would replace the revenue loss under the old system. You should be assured that I will not jeopardize higher education.
Karen Buyer Burkhardt (R) Incumbent
1.
2. "Well-performing" brings up the issue of accountability. When education comes to the legislature seeking enhanced funding, "How well are you performing?" is our answer back. "Well-performing" is not always in proportion to "well-funded."
I think higher ed faculty want to be high-performing, but we need to document performance on paper. The process of accountability is ongoing. "Change for change's sake" is not necessarily good, and what's good for IUK may not be the same as what's best for Bloomington.
3. These technology monies were intended to be a one-time "shot in the arm" for higher education. We allocated $15 million the first year and $32 million the second. To come back and ask for permanent enhancement to the base budget comes back to Question Two, "How well are we performing?" My first question would be how was the technology money spent, and why is it needed again? I still have questions higher education needs to answer.
4. The General Assembly has proven in the past that they support higher education. We need to ask how much and where we need to increase our support. I have been an adjunct faculty member at IUK. As someone who has seen higher education from inside, you want to see where it's going. We need to make sure it's spent wisely.
Ron Herrell (D)
 Herrell |
1. Do we have to stop with three? I think three top issues are education, the surplus and funding for family and social services.
3. Will it still be earmarked for technology? I have no problem if that assurance is there. If it is, then I'm for it.
4. Yes, no question. I would hope that anyone asked that question would say yes. That's a short answer, but I'm committed to education whether it's elementary, high school, post-high school -- all of it.
Donald E. Hamilton (D)
1.
I will be a very good friend of higher education.
3. Yes, I would support such a technology fund.
4. Yes, I will support only tax decreases that do not jeopardize higher education funding.
Thomas E. Saunders (R) Incumbent
1. I believe the top three issues in the 1999 session will depend on the Supreme Court ruling on the property tax system. This could especially change the amount of time the legislature has to consider other issues. My top three issues are property tax reduction and reform, education funding and legislative review of the ISTEP testing process, with emphasis on how we should work with students with learning disabilities or other handicaps.
2. A well-funded and well-performing system of higher education is an important element in preparing Indiana children for the challenges of both citizenship and the workplace in the next century.
3. I am committed to working with other legislators on a properly funded public higher education system. I am less concerned about the budget approach that is used to get this done.
4. Yes. Tax reductions and reform should not put proper financial support of higher education in jeopardy.
 Bodiker |
Richard Bodiker Sr. (D) Incumbent
1.
3. Yes!!
4. I would not support decreases that would jeopardize existing or future financial support.
Kenneth Paust (R)
 Paust |
1.
An additional problem is the retention of our graduates.
3. My opinion is that the universities of Indiana should be at the forefront of new and evolving technology, therefore, monies MUST be made available to fund these programs. The 2 percent should be placed in the base budget. Otherwise, we will put graduates out that won't be able to go immediately into the workforce and do their job. The business community will have the latest technology.
Therefore, my answer would be definitely yes. I would work within the caucas and with other legislators to see that adequate funding is made available.
4. Yes.
Jeff Ellington (R)
 Ellington |
2. Our institutions of higher learning are an essential part of our competition in the global economy. We must ensure that our children have access to affordable higher education so that they can gain the knowledge and the skills necessary to compete in the job market.
3. Yes. I feel strongly that our children must have access to the latest technology in our centers of learning. Technology-based companies are providing a great number of jobs. It is our responsibility to make sure that our workforce is ready to take them.
4. Yes. I have been campaigning on a platform of property tax cuts since I announced my candidacy, but I have always maintained that protecting education funding is foremost.
Peggy Welch (D)
 Welch |
Education: I have a degree in education and have taught in our local schools. The strength of the educational system provided to our children directly affects their and our future. We must return to the basics. Smaller classroom sizes, especially K-5, will help ensure that the teacher can place emphasis on basic educational values, standards of performance and discipline. We must recognize, however, that we now have additional basics -- technological skills, communication skills, team-building skills and critical-thinking skills. These are competencies that are now necessary for any entry-level position. To provide relief for our Hoosier families, I will introduce legislation that will provide free textbooks for our students.
Tax Cuts: I support property tax cuts that are equitable, responsible and reality-based. The expendable portion of the state's surplus is only $846 million, NOT $2 billion, NOT even $1 billion. I will be fiscally conservative in approving any cuts to avoid inevitable tax increases in one to two years. Realistic proposals would be increasing the homestead credit to 20 percent and freezing senior citizens' property taxes at age 62.
Health Care: I see health care in action at the patient's bedside--I am a cancer nurse at Bloomington Hospital, and I am also a physician extender for the two IU cardiovascular surgeons who work at Bloomington Hospital. I want quality health care for all our citizens--all ages. I will work as a legislator to extend the Patients Bill of Rights to all managed care plans, not just HMOs, to ensure that medical decisions are being made by doctors and other health-care providers, not accountants and business executives. I will seek ways to expand home health services, which provide savings, not only financially, but also emotionally and mentally.
2. Post-secondary education and training is the key to life-long learning, which brings personal fulfillment and prosperity. College and vocational classes benefit our community, state and nation. By the year 2000, three out of four jobs will require education beyond high school. For quality of life and economic development, Indiana must provide quality institutions of higher learning. As your state representative, I will be a fierce advocate for proper funding of these indispensable institutions.
3. I would most definitely support the inclusion of the technology line item in the budgets of our higher education institutions, rather than as an add on. Advanced technology is no longer an option; it is a must. Monies must be available and must be able to be counted on by our institutions to remain competitive in recruiting prospective students, in retaining highly trained experts, and being a leader in the development and use of sophisticated software and applications. IU has proven itself to be a leader, and our elected officials must provide the resources to enable IU to grow and refine in this very competitive field.
4. As I stated in question one regarding property tax cuts, I will support cuts that are responsible. What I have heard from the citizens of District 60 is that they want tax relief, but they don't want any tax increases; they don't want to lose control of their government; and they don't want necessary government services reduced--and that includes higher education.
William M. D'Amico (I)
1.
3. Yes. Although I am unlikely to be part of a party caucus, as I am independent, I will work to increase the base budget of state universities. In addition to the technology initiative, I would also work to increase staff pay rates to bring them more in line with private sector employment and to keep Indiana University from exerting its downward pressure on Bloomington area wages.
4. Yes. I am strongly committed to supporting higher education.
Mark Kruzan (D) Incumbent
 Kruzan |
3. I'll continue to make that push. We're past the point where technology should be considered an "add-on."
4. Absolutely.
John M. Prescott (R)
 Prescott |
3. Yes, provided some assurances that the money reach its destination and not be raided out of the general fund like the federal or state governments have done in the past, e.g., social security and the IN Retired Teachers Fund.
4. Yes, property tax reductions should be generated only by the state surplus and implementation of future spending growth caps.
Jason Beal (R)
1.
3. Certainly. I am one who advocates any mechanism that allows more autonomy to department agencies, in this case higher education institutions.
4. I am completely committed to supporting that proposition. There are clear ways to fund property tax relief. One way is to target lower priority issues and freeze their rate of growth. I have identified means by which to do that, none of which will effect higher education.
William Cochran (D) Incumbent
 Cochran |
2. A well-funded and productive system of higher education is probably Indiana's most urgent need. Higher education will provide the resources for progress and economic development in Indiana in the next century.
I have always worked to gain support for all levels of education. My record shows that I have worked very hard to ensure the growth and development of the Southeast campus and the entire university.
3. We will work to find solutions to the problems of higher education funding.
4. I have been committed to not hurting the funding for any level of education in Indiana. We will have to wait to see the recommendations that are presented by the Governor's Committee on Taxation. I would not support any change in the tax structure that jeopardizes higher education.
N. Sean Harshey (R)
1.
Those campuses that serve the regional areas surrounding them are just as important as those who do attract the out-of-state and out-of-country students. One of the issues I think each campus needs to do is to be creative in ways to attract and retain Indiana students.
3. I attend two public institutions in Indiana. I am not truly aware of the issue in this particular question, but I look forward to working with representatives of higher education on this and other issues.
4. Yes.
Vanessa Summers (D) Incumbent
Did not respond to survey questions.
Webster J. Smith (L)
1.
3. I do not have a caucus as I am a Libertarian. To answer the question, I would have to study up and learn more about it before I could make a decision on how I would answer.
4. I will not commit to supporting any tax increases. I feel we need to reduce expenditures, and to do this we need to eliminate any programs that are not constitutional.
Lyn Leone (D)
1.
3. YES-YES-YES
4. YES
Joe Zakas (R) Incumbent
Did not respond to survey questions.
Margaret Ridge (R)
 Ridge |
3. Yes, I will.
4. I believe we can find a balance between tax relief and program funding. I don't want to cut any program but would rather cap spending in some areas. Our children are our most important assets in Indiana. I would never support decreasing funding for higher education. As a matter of fact, I believe we want to draw students from not only Indiana, but from states nationwide. We must strengthen our higher education system.
Connie Sipes (D) Incumbent
1.
3. Yes. I believe the practitioners on the job, in this instance the college and university administrators, know best how to expend the funds they are provided.
4. Absolutely. That issue will be the big debate in the next session. We cannot jeopardize the successful programs that are working well in this state, and I would never allow higher education to suffer.
Return to Table of Contents