"The July, August, and September tax collection shortfall of more than $250 million makes it darn clear the job of keeping the state in the positive is going to be a marathon, not just a sprint.  It's not a one-time fix; it's a problem we will have to deal with on a daily basis.

Can it be done?  It must be done.  One thing's for sure, though: You don't improve the state's economy by raising taxes on hard-working Hoosiers already struggling to feed their own families.  Given the choice between cutting spending or raising taxes, I'll always choose to cut spending.  People are already taxed enough.  Let's make government live within its means.

I'm sure glad we went into special session.  As bad as the numbers are, they would have been around a billion dollars worse if we hadn't gone to battle and cut spending from the budget being proposed in the regular session. 

As a father, a soon-to-be grandpa and a business owner, I realize the financial discipline families and property owners must go through to make their budgets work.  How can we expect any less spending discipline from the State of Indiana?"

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