House Press Release; January 4, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 4, 2010
                        
DELANEY REVEALS PLAN TO ELIMINATE INDIANA TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT
 
INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) announced today that he will file legislation for consideration in the 2010 session of the Indiana General Assembly to abolish township government in Indiana.  
          If DeLaney’s proposal becomes law, all township functions would be transferred to county government. The transfer would begin on January 1, 2013.
          “The duties now performed by township government would be assumed by each county,” said DeLaney. “For instance, the county executive would assume the powers and duties of the township trustee, county commissioners and councils would take over the legislative and fiscal powers of township boards.”
            The changes outlined in DeLaney’s bill would give county governments control over poor relief functions.
          “I believe this proposal will save Hoosier tax payers millions of dollars by streamlining services and eliminating a form of government that I feel is no longer needed in this day and age, “ DeLaney said.
          In addition the bill specifies how excess township funds could be used to provide additional property tax relief and offer means to assist Hoosiers in need of emergency services.
          “Split into fourths, a quarter of the money would be used to provide property tax credits at a uniform county-wide percentage, another quarter would be deposited into a special fund or account to be used to alleviate poverty in the county,” said DeLaney.
          “The remaining revenue will be used to find ways to reduce poverty levels across Indiana, including financing teaching and academic research in those areas,” he added.
            Finally, DeLaney’s proposal would establish an elected position of advocate for the poor in each Indiana county.
          DeLaney is pressing for complete elimination of the trustees in the face of proposals that call for more limited reforms. He stated that: “Given the needs of the poor and the pressures on our taxpayers we need complete change now. We can literally do more for less money. That is our task as legislators.”
          If you would like to contact Rep. Ed DeLaney, you may reach him at h86@.in.gov or at (317) 920-0400 or at the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis IN 46204-2786.