Door-to-Door After the Primary: An Education

Public transit
As gas prices rose and my shoes wore down I began to hear about public transit.  The voters' wallets are under pressure and they want help on this front.  They are dissatisfied with our inadequate bus service and non-existent light rail.  I hear about this issue in all parts of my district, be they center city or suburban.  There are related complaints about the lack of sidewalks.  Parents are forced to drive their kids to school since there are missing sidewalks even near the schools.

Retirees and Property Taxes
I have been getting a real education as to what higher property taxes are doing to retired people on fixed incomes.  The Social Security Administration will not raise their payments to meet the increase in property taxes.  People are trying to sell in a down market, deferring improvements and upkeep, and just going without.

Small Landlords
I meet many people of all ages who own one or two small homes that they rent out.  The combination of property taxes and the aftermath of the sub-prime lending craze have left them in a trap.  Too many units are empty and the market for re-sale is dead or dying.  These homes hurt their owners and may become blighted.

Reunions
I have run into many old friends on the campaign trail.  Some knew me as a young man.  Others taught my kids or now teach my grandkids.  Some worked with Ann and me on prior campaigns.  I have run across Judge Price’s lovely widow, Julia.  I met the son-in-law of Bill Mackey who was killed years ago in a tragic accident.

Ann
My door-to-door effort is much in debt to my wife Ann. She is almost universally known and respected.  Her work in law, politics and at the Julian Center has made her well known.  When I flash her picture or say her name my reception is improved.  Of course, she also makes sure I keep on knocking.

Schools
People in many areas love their schools and take pride in them.  Others are worried about how the tax crisis and the demands put on our schools are affecting our schools.  Everyone is troubled by the low graduation rate.  Virtually no one wants to take the risk of hurting any of our public schools.

Beautiful Homes
I have seen thousands of homes up-close.  Some are modest but so well kept as to make me want to linger.  Others have beautiful settings.  Even our poorest neighborhoods have rays of light.  But even our best areas see too many homes for sale, too many foreclosures, and too many houses taken off the market for lack of a buyer at a decent price.  The national housing crisis is hitting Indianapolis.  The additional burden caused by our property tax problem is adding to this.