This is the first of what I plan to be a weekly update about what is happening at the Statehouse. I use the term "happening" loosely because we are just now starting to debate and move some legislation. As of Friday, we are still moving slowly on the issues that are the biggest concern to most Hoosiers - tax relief and preparing a new biennial balanced budget. During these rough financial times, Indiana must remain true to its conservative economic roots. As we weather this storm, we must not be tempted to spend our way out of any current problems thus forcing the burden on to the next generation. That has been the method of Washington, D.C., for years, and we are reaping what those liberal ideals have sown. Several of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle want to implement those same practices here in Indiana. They want to dismantle some of the programs that have made Indiana an island of fiscal responsibility in the Midwest. You will hear these arguments framed as "job creation," but it is little more than an effort by them to undo the truly innovative changes that our state has implemented over the past several years. I truly appreciate your responses to my surveys, both by mail and online. This information is always helpful as we move towards debating the issues that will bring true changes to our state. I respectfully ask you to get involved. Follow the legislature online by logging on to www.in.gov/legislative. From there, you will find links about legislators, research current Indiana law, follow moving bills and watch the session live online. My personal Web page is www.in.gov/h79, where you can answer my online survey, find information about our district and contact me with questions or comments. The pace at the Statehouse will definitely start picking up, so I will try to keep you as informed as possible but I will avoid political-speak and try to keep things in Lehman's terms. |
