Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Wrap-up: 11/13/07
Weekly Wrap-up
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
Volume 2, Issue 56
November 5-11, 2007
Governor creates new science prize
Nov. 7, 2007- Governor Mitch Daniels announced the state will create the Dr. Philip E. Nelson Innovation Prize to recognize outstanding Hoosier scientists for their unique discoveries, research and inventions.
The prize is named in honor of Dr. Nelson, a distinguished
"The great scientist or inventor does far more to improve people's lives than the politicians, business leaders or entertainers who dominate the headlines," said Daniels. "It's time we lifted up and honored those Hoosiers whose scientific achievements will make us the great state we intend to be."
Governor speaks at technology summit
Nov. 9, 2007- For the third consecutive year, Governor Daniels addressed attendees at TechPoint
"The tech sector and its connections to our economic fabric are so very critical to whether we reach and surpass our own expectations for our state," said Daniels. "It must grow alongside our traditional drivers and become a major piston in
Listen to the governor's remarks.
Daniels visits with
Nov. 6, 2007- During a visit to
Governor's schedule for November 14-16
Wednesday, November 14
- Governor Daniels will give the keynote address at the 2007 Indiana Rural Summit.
10 a.m.
Crowne Plaza Hotel (
- The governor will make welcoming remarks at the Riley Children's Foundation Annual Luncheon.
11:30 a.m.
Westin Hotel (Second floor ballroom)
- The governor will recognize 70 long-term Hoosier businesses at the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards.
2 p.m.
State House (South Atrium)
Friday, November 16
- Governor Daniels will speak to members of the Catholic Business Exchange.
7:45 a.m.
Northside Knights of
- Governor Daniels will address law enforcement officers and present awards at the 2007 Operation Pull Over traffic safety banquet.
12:15 p.m.
Ritz Charles
IN THE NEWS
State lauded for faith-based help
November 6, 2007
By Robert King
Jay Hein, a Hoosier tapped last year to be President Bush's director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, said the perch has given him the chance to see that Indiana is on the cutting edge in terms of how its government is set up to draw on faith-based groups' resource.
Hein's comments came Monday as more than 650 nonprofit leaders from across the state, and an additional 400 from elsewhere, convened in Indianapolis to kick off a two-day conference aimed largely at helping faith-based and community group representatives sharpen their skills when it comes to writing applications for government grants.
Groups with church and other religious ties from
"It is good to have volunteers," Hein said. "But it is even better to have volunteers pointed at the greatest need."
Gov. Mitch Daniels, who spoke at Monday's conference, said faith-based groups have been integral in helping the state's prisons launch a program that prepares inmates for return to life on the outside. He also credited churches and other nonprofits for getting out the word on a prescription drug program for low-income Hoosiers.
And when it comes to helping after natural disasters, such as floods and tornadoes, Daniels said he has learned that people in this state are not only generous with their aid but quick in delivering. Rarely does he arrive on the scene of a flood or a tornado without seeing people already on the move.
"It is just impossible to beat a Hoosier in a race to help somebody," he said.
Daniels created his Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives shortly after he became governor in 2005. It has utilized a Web site, e-mail notices and other tools to connect volunteers with nonprofits, announce grant opportunities and help faith groups know the opportunities and limits of getting involved in government grant programs.
"We have a long way to go. There are still pockets of the state that don't know we exist," said Paula Parker-Sawyers, the office's executive director. "It is more about leveling the playing field and making faith-based organizations aware of the opportunities if they chose to pursue government grants."
Hein said there are some "compassion clusters" across the country where people are particularly willing to help their neighbors, and he thinks
"It is integral to how we do government here."
First lady gets lesson in curiosity in local stopover
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
November 8, 2007
By Kelly Soderlund
What's your favorite book? Your favorite color? Your favorite movie? Your favorite part of
Cheri Daniels wasn't at a news conference. She was just spending time with fourth-graders at
Daniels answered all of their questions candidly. Her favorite book is an Abraham Lincoln biography; blue is her favorite color; "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "Elf" are her favorite movies; southern Indiana near her hometown of New Albany is her favorite part of the state; yes, she is driven everywhere; and yes, her stature can be overwhelming, but it allows her a lot of opportunities she wouldn't otherwise have.
Daniels made her first visit to
"One of the most important things we can give our children is the ability to read," she said.
Daniels said she visits about three elementary schools each month to promote reading, but this was her first stop in
"It was a privilege to have her here at
At
House eager to start on Daniels' tax plan
November 9, 2007
By Mike Smith
Bauer also said he was confident that the House and Senate would each muster the two-thirds majority necessary to suspend the rules and ratify on Nov. 20 Daniels' orders that extend deadlines related to property-tax relief.
Senate Republican leaders said earlier that they planned to introduce at least 10 bills incorporating parts of Daniels' plan on Nov. 20 and hold hearings on them next month, when lawmakers usually are not in session.
Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, had suggested that Bauer have House Democrats hold their own early hearings.
Bauer had some positive things to say about Daniels' proposal immediately after the governor announced it last month, but he was clearly irked the next day because Republicans had announced their plans for early hearings without talking to him first. He said then that House Democrats would move at their own "deliberative speed."
But Bauer said yesterday that House Ways and Means Chairman William Crawford, D-Indianapolis, would draft Daniels' plan as one piece of legislation and that early hearings were in order.
"I took the time and deliberation to determine how you do a major, complicated bill," said Bauer, who has often sparred with the Republican governor. "I believe when the governor proposes a package you treat it as a package, and the governor concurred."
Bauer said Daniels supported a comprehensive property-tax reform package House Democrats proposed last session, but only for a week.
"Now we hope the support of his own package lasts to fruition, at least the good parts of it," Bauer said.
Daniels said he appreciated Bauer's sense of urgency and "his decision to use our bill as the framework for property-tax relief."
"We all know this will be a long process in which all legislators will participate, but the speaker and Republican Senate leadership have gotten us off to the fastest possible start," Daniels said.
Several factors are projected to increase taxes on homeowners by an average of 24 percent statewide this year. Lawmakers approved $300 million in rebates last session that are expected to lower that average to about 8 percent. They also allocated another $250 million in relief next year through additional homestead credits.
But lawmakers, many of whose constituents are outraged over tax bills that have skyrocketed, are looking for a lasting way to reduce local governments' reliance on property taxes. Legislators have raised state taxes in the past to pay for property-tax relief, but it has not lasted.
Daniels' plan would cap homeowner property taxes at 1 percent of a home's assessed value beginning in 2009, with limits of 2 percent for rental property and 3 percent for business property. He wants lawmakers to set the limits by law at first and then make them part of the state constitution so they would be difficult to repeal.
The plan includes new spending limits on local governments; elimination of elected assessors to be replaced by a single appointed official in each county; and a requirement that all major local construction projects be voted on in a referendum.
The state would assume the remaining 15 percent of school operating costs it doesn't fund, school transportation costs, and care for neglected, abused and delinquent children -- all now largely funded by local property taxes.
To help pay for the property-tax relief, the sales tax would be raised from 6 percent to 7 percent.
Earlier this year, Daniels extended a deadline to file for homestead deductions and credits for property taxes payable next year from June 10 to Oct. 15. He also extended an Aug. 1 deadline for counties to adopt new local income taxes to offset a portion of property taxes to Oct. 1, and then pushed the date to Dec. 31.
Those deadlines were set in law, but Bauer said he was confident the House and Senate would have enough votes to suspend the rules and ratify the orders retroactively by passing a bill on organization day. It usually takes at least three days to pass a bill.
Daniels: Tax ceilings, spending limits will benefit public
Times of
November 8, 2007
By Bill Dolan
HAMMOND | Gov. Mitch Daniels told Northwest Indiana business leaders Wednesday the state is preparing to lift the local tax burdens off their backs.
"Business as usual is going to end in
Daniels visited the area to drum up support for his plan to permanently cap property taxes at 1 percent assessed value for homesteads, 2 percent for rental properties and 3 percent for business.
Tax "ceilings would come down and governments ... will only have the choice to reduce spending and modernize, cooperate (and) maybe even consolidate various functions of government," Daniels said.
Chamber members and local politicians offered the governor both praise and questions about details of his tax-relief package, and they asked whether it can pass in the state Legislature during the 2008 session.
Daniels responded, "You say we might run out of time. We will make more time. (Legislators) can bring their sleeping bags as far as I'm concerned, but I don't think that will be necessary."
A real estate broker asked why businesses have to pay three times the property tax rate assigned to homeowners in the governor's package.
Daniels said, "To me home ownership is sacred. The American dream starts with owning your own home. For some it's the only wealth they have. I have no hesitation viewing home ownership as having precious value that sets it apart."
Daniels said that while business taxes will be higher, his cap on taxes would become a permanent feature of the state's constitution. "That would bring clarity and certainty for business."
"Fair, far-reaching and final relief only works if we have finally true control over local spending.
"In
Daniels said the biggest single driver in the rise of property taxes is the cost of borrowing to build new buildings. "Three-fourths of that are schools, but there are plenty of municipal buildings and libraries and the rest. We need new facilities and to make investments of that kind, but we are way out of whack with the rest of
"I suggest we swap out the awkward rather chunky petition drive and just trust the people and have a referendum. Take your case to the citizens to vote up or down," Daniels said.
