Turner, Harris dedicate new Ivy Tech Campus

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:23:27 -0500

State Reps Eric Turner and Tim Harris were both very involved in the early stages of bringing a new Ivy Tech Campus to Grant County. The Marion Chronicle-Tribune reported that it was a day of celebration for them on Saturday when they dedicated the new facility.

State Rep. Tim Harris, R-Marion, reflected on what he called a “tough day” in Marion’s history when the Thomson plant closed in 2004, cutting more than 800 manufacturing jobs. He said on the same day he took a call from Henry Olynger, offering to donate land for the campus. Local developer Gary Oradat also donated land. Harris said the economic growth in the county since the closing of the TV picture tube manufacturing factory was a result of such community involvement.

“This is happening because people are working together in unprecedented ways in Grant County,” he said.

Turner was equally positive.

State Rep. P. Eric Turner, R-Marion, called the building a dream come true for him.

“I’ll never forget the look on (Ivy Tech Executive Director) John Lightle’s face and (Marion Mayor) Wayne Seybold’s face when I said, ‘We’re going to build a new building in (Marion),’” Turner said.

Republican tour continues in New Albany

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:46:33 -0500

Reps. Brian Bosma and Eric Turner visited New Albany last week to continue to promote the Republican property tax relief program passed this general assembly.

The News and Tribune:

The two were in Evansville on Wednesday before making the drive to New Albany. Their message has been one of support for the property-tax relief package, which will include $620 million in aid for 2008.

“The burden of property taxes was becoming unbearable for homeowners,” Turner said.

Turner said the goal of legislators in favor of the package was to make taxes less formidable for property owners, while at the same time making the levies predictable.

“Over and over, people said to us that they would go to their mailbox with sweaty palms, not knowing how much there property taxes were going to go up,” Turner said.

Bosma called the reform historic, saying there had not been such an effort in Indiana since the 1973 tax freeze.

He said homeowners will save an average of 25 percent this year on property taxes. Floyd County property owners will save nearly 31 percent on average, according to Bosma.

By 2010, the tax circuit breaker will be at 1 percent for residential property owners. The median homeowner’s cap would be $1,207.

The state sales tax will be raised to seven percent to provide funds to replace property-tax dollars. Bosma said residents around Indiana have told him they prefer the sales tax increase in exchange for reductions in property taxes.

Immediate tax relief was one of four goals Bosma said GOP lawmakers had outlined for the latest legislative session. Other aims were to make caps permanent, empower local taxpayers and to place limits on local government spending.

District 32

Turner, Harris dedicate new Ivy Tech Campus

Republican tour continues in New Albany