Constituent Survey Results

Thanks to all of you who took the time to complete my legislative survey for 2010. If you have not done so, you can visit my website at www.in.gov/h86 and complete the survey electronically. I want to share with you the results of my survey, attached to this page, and my thoughts on the issues that the results highlight.

The top two choices for the most challenging issue facing our families were healthcare costs and taxes. While both of these areas are heavily impacted by federal legislation, there are steps the Indiana legislature is taking to address these important issues. One way to tackle rising healthcare costs is through improvements in public health, which is why I supported House Bill 1131, implementing a statewide smoking ban. Utilizing our tax revenues effectively is vitally important in keeping taxes low. To this end, I authored legislation, House Bill 1249, to eliminate township government. This would save taxpayers the cost of supporting an unnecessary level of government.

I agree with my respondents that jobs should be the priority of the 2010 legislative session. I authored House Bill 1250, which seeks to shift existing funds within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to the Capital Access Program (CAP). CAP is a loan guarantee program that is an effective tool for growing small business and creating jobs. I am pleased to say that HB 1250 passed the House. I continue to press for full approval.

A clear majority of my respondents support amending the 1-2-3 property tax caps into the constitution. The General Assembly has moved this measure to its final step: a referendum. If voters approve the measure this November, the tax caps will become part of the Indiana constitution. I will reiterate that I believe the property tax caps will solve some of the problems we face with property taxes, but not all, and that the caps may well have unforeseen or unintended consequences on local tax revenues.

My respondents were equally divided on whether to concentrate state tax incentives on small businesses, or to treat small businesses and large corporations equally. Recovery from this economic will be a long and arduous process, but will rely on growth in all sectors of business, both large and small. In light of the reduced state budget, some tax incentives aimed at large corporations should be reduced in favor of programs that more effectively leverage our limited funds. The House is moving in this direction. I am happy to see such overwhelming support for elimination of township government. I believe township government to be a wasteful and unnecessary use of our tax dollars and hope the General Assembly will take action to eliminate it.

A strong majority of my respondents also support lifting the ban on Sunday sales of alcohol and implement a ban on using cell phones while driving. It appears that the legislature will take only limited action on Sunday sales of alcohol. The House has also moved to make illegal texting while driving with House Bill 1279. I hope the Senate will join us in curbing this dangerous activity.

Thank you for continuing to share your thoughts on the legislative session. Communication with my constituents is highly valued and crucial to my effectiveness as a legislator. I will continue to push for legislation that benefits my constituents and Indiana as a whole. I look forward to completing the 2010 legislative session with legislation passed to put Hoosiers back to work, eliminate township government and effectively utilize our tax dollars to benefit Indiana.

Yours,

Ed DeLaney