Responsible Budget Needs to be Passed Now

Last Tuesday, the Indiana House of Representatives was presented with a responsible, compromise budget that would have protected Hoosier taxpayers and kept our state from the brink of a shutdown on June 30. Unfortunately, it was rejected by Democrat leaders, who are resorting to their old habit of holding taxpayers hostage for more spending.

Indiana House Republicans: All In

It’s been said that true success comes not to the person who is dealt all the right cards but to the person who learns to play a bad hand well. To say that the past four years have dealt Indiana House Republicans “poor cards” would be an understatement. In the worst two campaign cycles for Republicans since Watergate, general assemblies nationwide have seen an epic partisan shift. The Midwest has seen the Democrat Party gain a total of 78 state house seats from 2004 to 2008, with 6 of 7 states shifting power from a Republican speaker in 2004 to a Democrat speaker in 2008. Since 2000, Iowa House Republicans have lost 12 seats, Michigan 14, Ohio 13, Minnesota 22… It will take a decade for some of these caucuses to recover such losses. By contrast, in Indiana, House Republicans have one more seat than we did after the 2000 election.

CLERE: It’s a matter of respect

The News and Tribune share a post by State Representative Ed Clere.

 STATEHOUSE — What do taxpayers, Congressman Mike Pence and fallen soldiers have in common?

Indiana House Speaker Pat Bauer didn’t have time for any of them.

I write this column with a sense of disappointment. I was hopeful I would have something positive to report to you today.

Instead, for the most part, last week was a series of setbacks and missed opportunities.

A Republican Plan for the Future

Below is a Letter to the Editor, written by Republican Leader Brian Bosma, published on October 19th.

With the election just weeks away, most Hoosiers are focused on the presidential and gubernatorial races. Of equal importance, however, is the race for the Indiana House of Representatives. The decision as to who leads our state in 2009 and beyond is critical. Our children’s future depends on it.

Let’s look at the record.

The reforms enacted in the Republican led session of 2005-06, were referred to nationwide as “once in a generation.” New jobs moved to Indiana in record numbers, and current employers expanded their workforce. Ratings by Forbes magazine, the Tax Foundation, Chief Executive Magazine, CNBC and others rank Indiana near the top in job attraction and economic development, a direct result of these historic reforms.

Republicans inherited a budget which was wildly out of balance, with a $550 million deficit and $721 billion in debt to Indiana schools, cities and universities. Rather than raising taxes, Republicans concentrated resources on education, health care and child protection, and cut or straight lined everything else. We repaid debts and adopted the tightest budget in 55 years with no tax increases, gimmicks or deficits, for the first time in a decade.

Republican Candidates Truitt and Brown Share Views through Candidate Forum

During a candidate forum in Lafayette, both Republican candidates were able to share their stance on the important issues facing locals. Candidate Randy Truitt spoke about his stance on school funding. He will face Democrat John Polles in the District 26 race. 

"I think when you look at education funding we've all ready the recent reports that $0.61 of every dollar goes back into the classroom.  I personally find that unacceptable," said Randy Truitt.

"The state needs to lead by example and build more energy efficient buildings and to use more flex fuel vehicles.  We are only at 20% now of what were we at four years ago.  We've made great strides in the past 4 years in an energy push," said Brown.