Swing State Project: Indiana Republicans Poised to Take Back State House

This week the Swing State Project (www.swingstateproject.com) covered another story about the country’s state legislative chambers.  The article focused on the likelihood for state chambers to change party control.  The first chamber listed, with the most favorable potential to change hands, was the Indiana State House of Representatives and was listed as “Lean Republican takeover.”  See the whole article here http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6532 or take the leap.

House retirements present opportunity for Republican majority in 2008

Indiana politico Brian Howey ran a blurb in his daily wire about retirements in the House.

Eight House incumbents declined to seek re-election as filing deadline passed on Friday (Howey Politics Indiana). They include: Democrats Joe Micon, Dave Crooks, Phil Hoy and David Orentlicher and Carolene Mays who are seeking the 7th CD. House Republicans decling to run include Eric Gutwein, Mike Ripley and Larry Buell. (emphasis ours)

GOP, Indy Star: Give the people a voice, Dems: No way

That’s how it seems to be shaking out, and it’s disappointing. Even the Indianapolis Star editorial board seems to be perplexed.

One new amendment, approved by House Democrats voting along party lines, would limit school construction referendums to those projects not directly tied to classroom instruction. Taxpayers under the proposal could still decide whether to build a new high school football stadium but wouldn't be able to vote on whether proposed classroom buildings are excessively expensive.

Opponents of referendums fear that taxpayers would be too stingy, blocking necessary construction to the detriment of students. But Hoosiers have shown repeatedly that they're willing to spend money on education when school administrators make clear that needs -- and not mere wants -- truly exist.

Taxpayers already have oversight of sorts through a remonstrance process. But it's a convoluted system that lacks transparency.

What opponents of referendums are really saying is that they fear taxpayers are unable to make wise decisions about how their money should be spent. That's not an attitude the General Assembly should embrace.

House Republicans, however, are clear. There is nothing dangerous about giving voters a voice in local school construction projects. Why the Democrats don’t trust the people is a mystery.

Indiana Chamber: Two House Republicans are Small Business Champions

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce announced that two members of our Republican caucus are Small Business Champions. According to the Chamber, this award is given for their “dedication to bettering Indiana’s business climate for small employers.”

The House members were:

- Rep. Matt Bell (R-Avilla), District #83
- Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe), District #52

“Protecting Indiana’s small businesses is vital to the state’s economy, considering more than half of all Hoosiers work at these small companies. These legislators recognize the importance of small businesses and consistently support their interests in the Statehouse,” Brinegar says.

The House Republican caucus is dedicated to preserving the health of Indiana small businesses.

House GOP seeks cut and cap for Hoosiers

Republican Leader Brian Bosma sent the following letter to the Indianapolis Star, calling for property tax relief and outlining the goals of the House Republicans:

Three primary issues loom large in the 2008 session of the General Assembly -- property taxes, property taxes and more property taxes. After decades of first aid, it's time for major surgery on Indiana's antiquated property tax system.

That is why House Republicans stand firm for mmediate relief and permanent reform of our outdated property tax system. Our proposals build on Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan and move us toward bold, immediate and permanent relief for every Hoosier taxpayer.

With the hope of framing the debate on tax reform, House Republicans have announced 10 "Standards for Success" with the goal of including these elements in any plan adopted by the legislature:

New and Improved Features of the House Victory Website

Welcome to our new website! We’ve given it a face lift and made it more interactive and easier to navigate. With new tools to keep you informed on the progress of our goal of a House Victory in ’08, there are now more opportunities than ever to get involved and check the status of our campaign.

The House Victory Blog will be the hub of all activity on our new website. We will post announcements and commentary here on a regular basis. Our visitors will have the ability to comment on the posts and news items as well.

We’re launching a new initiative for the blogging community called Victory Bloggers. This includes a place for our friendly bloggers around the state to write about House Victory and receive special e-updates. In addition, we will be periodically highlighting posts from our Victory Bloggers as well. Sign up here.

House Victory '08 now also offers a You Tube channel so we can showcase our candidates at events and also highlight any videos or TV commercials that visitors can comment on and forward to friends.

Want to know where our candidates are going to be? Check out our House Victory Events Calendar. As the campaign season progresses, this will have an up-to-date calendar every week to let you know where and when our events are taking place. Powered by Eventful, the new calendar will also give visitors an interactive way of looking at the calendar, with the ability to join our group, make comments, and recommend events to friends.

Media Coverage From Bob Heaton's Candidacy Announcement

After traveling all over the Wabash Valley to announce his candidacy for State Representative in House District 46, here are the news stories that ran in the local media in the days following.

Terre Haute Tribune Star

• Former ISU star running to represent District 46

• GOP trying to reclaim District 46

Brazil Times

• Heaton tosses hat into political ring

Diversity Focus

• Heaton Announces Candidacy for State Representative in House District 46

Terre Haute WTWO (NBC)

• Former Basketball Star Runs For Office

Terre Haute WTHI (CBS)

Video Clip of Announcement - Scroll down to number 9 on the page to open the video.

Hoosier Access

• Dream Season Dreaming Up Dream Candidate?