Articles
Governor Daniels' Weekly Wrap-up: 11/27/07
A look at news and events in the Daniels Administration
Volume 2, Issue 58
November 19-25, 2007
Duke Energy to build clean coal power plant in Indiana
Nov. 20, 2007- The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission unanimously approved Duke Energy
"I'm delighted with this outcome. Edwardsport will be the state's first new baseload plant in almost 20 years and the first plan on this scale to be built in America using this new clean coal technology," said Governor Daniels. "It will bring jobs to
Over a three-year period, an average of 800 to 900 construction workers will be needed, with a peak workforce of 2,000. Ongoing plant operations would employ approximately 100 people.
Listen to the governor's remarks regarding the new plant.
Nov. 19, 2007- Governor Mitch Daniels and Lt. Governor Becky Skillman presented more than 72,000 pounds of donated
"We have so much to give thanks for in this nation and in the state," said Governor Daniels. "Thanksgiving is a great time to highlight both our blessings and the blessings that the agriculture industry brings to us."
"During this time of holiday giving, we make it our mission to serve our Hoosier friends and neighbors who sometimes go without food," said Lt. Governor Skillman. "Our agriculture partners in the poultry industry are demonstrating their dedication to our state by contributing to our economy and our communities. These donations are much needed and we thank them for their generosity."
The Indiana State Poultry Association and associated groups have traveled to
Custom boat builder to more than double its
Nov. 21, 2007- Executives from custom watercraft designer and manufacturer Marine Builders, Inc. announced the company's plans to more than double its workforce in
The company, which specializes in designing and building custom workboats, barges, tugs, dry docks and yachts, will invest more than $1.9 million to build and equip a new 10,000 square foot addition to its southeast
Company to site new corporate headquarters, logistics center in Allen County
Nov. 19, 2007- Baekgaard, Ltd., a leading designer and distributor of home furnishings and accessories, announced it will exponentially grow its operations in
The company will invest more than $3.6 million to build and equip its new corporate headquarters and distribution center in
"More than anything else, job growth depends on building an environment that's favorable for business," said Nathan Feltman, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "Baekgaard's expansion is a great sign that the environment we have created is allowing Hoosier businesses to grow and thrive."
Precision machining firm to more than quadruple its
Nov. 19, 2007- C & K Tool, a provider of precision machining services to the auto, medical and aerospace industries, announced it will expand its operations in
The company will invest more than $3 million to add new equipment and a new clean room to its
"This expansion is a great growth opportunity for northeastern
Trailer parts provider to locate its first Midwest facility in Angola
Nov. 19, 2007- Quality Trailer Products, a subsidiary of Minnesota-based tank trailer manufacturer Polar Corporation, announced it will locate its first Midwest manufacturing facility in
The manufacturer and distributor of trailer fenders and axles for the small utility trailer business will begin hiring welders, metal fabricators and sales professionals in 2008 to staff its 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
"More and more companies are recognizing that
Commercial builder to begin operations in
Nov. 19, 2007- Supreme Building Technologies, a start-up commercial construction company, announced today it will locate its headquarters and manufacturing operations in
The company, which specializes in the build out of commercial buildings and manufacturing of small modular buildings for the food and beverage industry, will locate its 85,000 square-foot headquarters and manufacturing operations in
"
Governor's schedule
Tuesday, November 27
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation will honor Governor Daniels for
10 a.m.
Westin Hotel (First floor ballroom)
- Governor Daniels will chair a meeting of the Indiana Education Roundtable.
2 p.m.
IN THE NEWS
Commissioners support Daniels' tax plan
Chesterton Tribune
November 21, 2007
By Vicki Urbanik
Saying that property taxes need to be brought under control, the Porter County Commissioners on Tuesday endorsed the gist of Gov. Mitch Daniels' property tax reform plan calling for a hike in the state's sales tax in order to fund a deep cut in property taxes.
Commissioner President Robert Harper, who has been outspoken against property tax increases, authored a resolution in support of the governor's plan. The resolution won the backing of fellow commissioners John Evans, a Republican, and Carole Knoblock, a Democrat.
When a reporter pointed out that Harper is a Democrat endorsing a Republican governor's tax plan, Harper said the issue was about protecting homeowners from getting taxed out of their homes. "It's not a Republican or Democrat issue," Harper said, adding that House Speaker Pat Bauer, also a Democrat, has pledged to give the governor's plan fast-track consideration.
The resolution points out some of the key points in the governor's plan, focusing on the tax impact on homeowners: A cap on property taxes of up to 1 percent of a home's value, taxpayer referendum approval if local spending exceeds a county's average personal income growth over a six-year time period, state takeover of funding for school operating costs and services for abused and neglected children, referendums on major new construction projects, and provisions for streamlining local government.
The resolution also cites lobbying groups expected to fight the plan. "We feel it is important for all citizens to contact their legislative representatives and indicate a support of this plan," the resolution states.
The resolution doesn't directly mention a few other aspects of the governor's plan, such as a constitutional amendment setting in stone the property tax caps or the proposed increase in the state's sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent to fund the property tax cuts.
Daniels has projected that his plan would cut homeowner taxes by about a third; an alternate plan from a legislative committee is similar, but is projected to cut homeowner taxes in half.
Evans said he cannot endorse the part of the governor's plan calling for a tax cap of 3 percent on business property, saying that's an inequitable distribution of the property tax burden compared with the 1 percent cap on homes. But Evans also said he wholeheartedly endorses the resolution because something has to be done "or else people are going to be losing their homes."
"This is a great starting point," he said.
Knoblock, too, said the issue of property tax reform shouldn't be a political one, as she called on the Indiana Legislature and the governor to end "this injustice" of rising property taxes.
Harper earlier this year blasted the Indiana Legislature for its weakening of a previous law, which attempted to set a 2 percent cap on residential property taxes. Harper said lawmakers will be pressured again by lobbyists this session to weaken any effort to cap taxes. Even though it's important for the commissioners to take a stand, Harper said it's even more important for the average citizen to contact their lawmakers and "insist this relief be given to us."
Harper, noting how Americans have been encouraged to save up for a home, said he believes the American dream of homeownership may be eroding by property taxes that increase every year.
Daniels upbeat on property tax reform
November 20, 2007
By James Wensits
SOUTH BEND -- Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said here Monday that he sees "great opportunity" for property tax reform in
"If we can fix the BMV, we can fix about anything," Daniels told an audience of Chamber of Commerce members and supporters who turned out for a reception at the South Bend Marriott hotel.
According to the governor, the average wait time at state Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches, long a sore point with Hoosier motorists, has been reduced to 8 minutes and 50 seconds at present, and for the past year averaged 11 minutes and 16 seconds.
Daniels' proposed property tax reform legislation is to be introduced today in both the House and Senate during organization day ceremonies in
The governor told the
The proposed 3 percent cap for businesses has received criticism from the state business community because it is higher than the 1 percent proposed for owner-occupied homes.
Daniels said that upon examination his plan will prove to be "neutral to positive" for businesses. "They misunderstood certain elements of the plan," Daniels said of the criticisms.
The cap on business property taxes is already set at 3 percent under the Circuit Breaker legislation adopted by the General Assembly earlier this year. "This would only make that more permanent," Daniels said.
The governor said he has told business representatives that he has no problem providing special protection for homeownership because, "It has enormous value to our society." If business representatives disagree, Daniels said, "then I politely disagree with them."
The governor said he wouldn't fight a legislative attempt to reduce the business tax if the proposal came with a way to pay for it that was fair.
"What I would resist would be raising the homeowner cap in order to make it equal to business," he said. "I want to see homeowners protected."
Daniels said he realizes that the introduction of his proposal in the House and Senate is only a starting point.
"I know we'll see lots of debate, and that's great, and I'm sure that there'll be lots of modifications. But I couldn't have asked for a better start." And they're not only starting with our framework, but they're starting right away. That's as much as you could hope for."
Daniels said the core elements of his proposal that he will work to preserve in the legislation include an immediate tax cut for every homeowner and a permanent 1 percent cap on their taxes.
He said he will also work to support moving the school and welfare levies to the state, because that is another way to make the relief permanent, and will seek a way to control the growth of local spending to keep it within the ability of people to pay.
