Individuals in our community are continuing to receive recognition for their career accomplishments. It is very encouraging to see the president of Security Federal Savings Bank, Annette Russell of Logansport, on the cover of Hoosier Banker Magazine. Annette is currently the chair of the Indiana Bakers Association, where I know she provides excellent leadership and guidance. Congratulations, Annette!
Recently, another event in our district saw great success. The Peru Rotary Club held its sixth annual spell-a-thon at Blair Pointe Elementary School on March 8. This event is a fundraiser for the scholarship activities of the Rotary. Twenty-one teams took part, and there were about 100 participants. Congratulations to the Spell Casters team, who placed first. I encourage other groups and clubs in nearby counties to consider trying a spell-a-thon, as an easy and educational way to raise funds. It truly is a fun way to bring a diverse group of people together. The funds will be put to good use in the community for Rotary Club scholarships and projects.
Unfortunately, Peru received some bad news last Friday when Schneider Electric, parent company of Square D, officially announced an elimination of 70 positions at the local factory. There were discussions of this happening back in December. At the time, I contacted the lieutenant governor and governor’s offices and had conversations with Indiana Economic Development Commission officials. All of these offices were involved, and Gov. Holcomb placed a call to the corporate headquarters of Schneider, encouraging the company to reconsider the move and inviting them to expand here in Peru. It should be noted and remembered that state law cannot prevent corporate decisions to move operations out of the state. The state must continue to support a business climate that invites companies to create jobs here. Nonetheless, I’m very disappointed with Schneider’s decision.
At the Statehouse, the budget and road funding bills are being considered by the Senate. I’ve received some comments about both the gas tax increase as well as the proposed cigarette tax increase. Constituents don’t want higher fuel prices, but they also understand they need better road maintenance. Better maintenance comes at a cost, and, right now, that appears to require a fuel tax increase. Any way the state does it, revenues need to increase if we are to maintain and improve our highway system and local roads.
The cigarette tax is a more complex issue. Right now, it raises almost $500 million, which coincides with the budget appropriation for Medicaid. Proponents of the tax increase make the logical connection between smoking, healthcare and, ultimately, Medicaid. Statewide, about 24 percent of Hoosiers smoke—which is well above the national average. However, the percentage is considerably higher in rural areas where more jobs are outside and incomes are generally lower. Smoking follows income trends and workplace restrictions. The argument can be made that raising the gas tax and the cigarette tax is a regressive policy put upon rural Indiana. The irony of the cigarette tax is that if everyone quit smoking due to the high cost, the state would lose the $500 million in revenue and need to find a replacement source. Yes, there will be healthcare benefits, but it will take a few years to catch up on the lost revenue. I told you this is very complex with the potential for unintended consequences. Watch this issue for changes ahead.
Things are continuing to move quickly at the Statehouse. As the process goes on, please stay in touch by email at h23@iga.in.gov or phone at 317-232-9981. It’s your state government.
More later,
Bill
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Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
A high-resolution photo of Friend can be downloaded by clicking here.
