State Rep. Cleo Duncan to Run for 8th Term

From the Columbus Republic comes this story about State Representative Cleo Duncan:

State Rep. Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg, announced Friday that she will seek an eighth term as the District 67 representative.Duncan, 66, said she is motivated by the chance to contribute to several local and statewide projects she considers important.

“I’m very excited about the prospect of working on permanent, meaningful property tax reform,” she said.

Shifting school operating and transportation costs, and child welfare costs from local governments to the state will create significant change.

“In the past we talked about reducing property taxes by cutting a percentage, but that has been a Band-Aid approach,” Duncan said.

She also wants to make sure that a new three-region water district among Decatur, Jennings and Ripley counties gets established solidly so that it is lasting.

With the Honda manufacturing pant set to open later this year, Duncan is concerned about rail safety.

Of the 200,000 Civic sedans that will be produced annually, 80 percent will be shipped by Rail America to Cincinnati.

Duncan wants to work with Indiana Department of Transportation and Rail America to know where all crossings are and to raise awareness and develop a safety program.

“We are not used to trains. I want to have an ongoing rail safety program in schools and the community to get people’s mindset, and to allow extra time,” Duncan said.

She also is concerned about education, and wants to make post-high school education affordable and accessible. The goal is to have a better educated work force that can compete for jobs.

Duncan was first elected in 1994. She represents Decatur, Franklin, Ripley and Rush counties.