It is simply unbelievable that one man has the power to shut down the state legislature before business before them is finished. Sadly Pat Bauer abused his power and did just that, shut down the legislature! What is even more upsetting is that only one person from the Democratic majority stepped up to say anything to speaker Bauer, Vi Simpson.

The losers are the people of Indiana. The legislature still has many items ahead of them when they come back later this week to finish their job. Hanging in the balance is the unemployment tax, school funding, and jobs. All important issues. Instead of working into the night, Speaker Bauer lost his grip, and his cool, sending house members home until Wednesday.

Now comes Trent “Tiger” VanHaaften, who wants the voters in the 8th district to believe that he will stand up to his party in Washington, DC., yet, he wont stand up to Speaker Bauer. I for one believe that Tigers new nickname should be “pussy cat”, because that is what he really is, a pussy cat. He is no more a leader then the man in the moon. Pussy cat VanHaaften had an opportunity to rise above the political fray and take a stand, instead, he took a seat.

Is this the type of leadership we want representing us congress? It’s bad enough we currently have a lap dog in Ellsworth, but are we ready to sent a pussy cat to DC?

Take a stand Pussy Cat. Tell Speaker Bauer that you will not stand for the games when there is so much at stake.

Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin (D) wants the businesses and tax payers of this fine city to suck up yet another fee TAX. This time, he wants to force a storm-water utility fee TAX. The Mayor says that he may need up to 500,000 for a second study to the levy and possibly another 31 million for repairing the city’s entire storm water management system. But the citizens are not buying what he’s selling.

According to the Vincennes Sun Commerical, the Mayor had a meeting where about two dozens citizens showed up to let him know how they felt.

First problem is that the Mayor has no clue how much he may need want.  The second issue is that the citizens are upset that he spent nearly $750,000.00 of EDIT money to build a pole barn for counselwoman Shirley Rose (D). Third problem is that now is the worse time ever to pose a new tax on people. Vincennes University President Dick Helton said that the University would off-set their $120,000 tax onto the students. Others said that they would have to stop plans to hire additional employees. Others wanted to know why the rush and why are they just now hearing about this issue.

Another suggestion was that the Mayor utilize taxes that he has collected for a proposed overpass to help off set the repairs to the levy. Don’t think the Mayor liked this one! According to the Sun Commercial, the Mayor stated that “If you want to halt all economic growth ’cause we have some issues, then so be it”. Some problems? 31 million dollars is “some issues”?

Mayor, I don’t think that the people want to stop economic growth, they simply want growth that makes sense. You stopped progress on Ford Road for nearly a year delaying the possibility of additional jobs – something this city needs. They want you to focus on jobs, not jokes.

TJ

Here’s a quick recap of the Knox County Republican Candidate meet and greet held in Oaktown last night.

Candidates for 8th Dist.

Dr. Bucshon told the faithful that he was pro life, pro gun and anti illegal immigrant.

Bud Bernitt stated that Washington was doing the exact opposite of what the people really wanted.

Steve Westell wants to be the candidate of NO. No new taxes and no leaky boarders.

Candidate for State Senate Ron Boger wondered who was watching the piggy bank.   On a side note – Senator Waterman was unable to be in Knox County as Session was still in.

Candidate for State Representative Dist. 64 Dr. Beckman spoke about the importance of listening to the people and following their wishes, not the wishes of party bosses.

It was a good turnout and as I have said many times over, the GOP has a great group of candidates this year. Even though only 3 of the 8 congressional candidates were able to attend, Trent “Tiger” VanHaaften needs to be very concerned.

TJ

I received an email from my State Representative today. Representative Kreg Battles (D) Vincennes, stated that “unless the Governor is willing to intervene with the Senate, a bipartisan effort to put Hoosiers to work seems unlikely. The Senate has put the brakes on job creation using excuses to stall the process”. EXCUSES, Really?

Here’s the rest of the story… the Senate attorney said  that job creation was not germane to the bill that the Senate attached it to which was addressing agricultural property assessment. So in other words, the Senate leadership actually followed the rules. Now, I realize that Rep. Battles has to fall in line with House leadership – but shouldn’t we applaud the Senate for following the rules?   I for one am sure that the Senate will find a better bill to attached the House jobs bill to and that the bill will pass. I would be hard pressed to believe that anyone would dare stand in the way of a bill that would assist people in getting back to work. So instead of taking a cheap shot at the Senate and the Governor, wouldn’t it make more sense to work with them to find a bill that is germane?

Hard to believe there was more to the story. For more information, check out the NWI times.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_6a6c1501-ec0a-5eba-9d64-b0bbabd0bd74.html

TJ

After much prodding from my good friend Troy, I have accepted the challenge of blogging from the “Bloody 8th” district of Indiana. It is our goal to keep you informed about not only the race for the 8th, but US Senate, State House and State Senate races as well as other happenings in local politics. The year 2010 is going to be exciting to say the least in politics and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you.

I do hope you enjoy the site and let us know what you think. But first, let’s set some ground rules.

1st. No personal attacks. We will talk about a persons voting record as they are free game! But we leave families out of all debates.

2nd. Keep it clean. This is a family friendly site and you never know who may be reading.

3rd. Have fun! We won’t always agree – and that’s alright, but let’s disagree in a respectful way.

Outside of that, it’s game on.

I hope you enjoy the site and comment often.

T. J.

In case you missed it.  The Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the bill that was offered yesterday wouldn’t be good for his beloved State of Nevada, because they couldn’t afford the additional price tag that it would require on their Medicaid spending. Guess what no State can afford it, and for all those people in Indiana that want this plan, what program or tax increase are you offering up to pay for our increase in Medicaid?

WASHINGTON – No sooner than the Senate Finance Committee’s chairman released his long-awaited health care bill today than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it’s not good enough for Nevada.

Reid is concerned about the cash-poor state’s inability to boost Medicaid spending as would be required under the bill.

“While this draft bill is a good starting point, it needs improvement before it will work for Nevada,” Reid said in a statement. “During this time of economic crisis, our state cannot afford to shoulder the second highest increase in Medicaid funding.”

Reid said he received assurance from the chairman, Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, that the formula would be changed before the bill goes to committee next week.

“I spoke to the Chair of the Finance Committee and he assured me that this bill will be improved for Nevada,” Reid said.

“Let me be very clear, I will not bring a health insurance reform bill to the Senate floor that is not good for Nevada.”

One way the legislation plans to cover more uninsured is to make Medicaid available to more people. Right now Medicaid in Nevada covers limited low-income groups — primarily pregnant women, children and seniors. The bill would expand care to include childless adults. But that would require a 5 percent increase in funding from the state.

Reid’s concerns come after a back-and-forth he and Nevada’s governor engaged in Tuesday via letters exchanged on the issue.

The majority leader’s objection show just how difficult the task before Congress in trying to meet the needs of all lawmakers who have problems with the legislation.

Full article from the Las Vegas Sun

It was nice to see that the “Hands of My Health Care” bus and tour had a great turnout in Washington last night. I hope Congressman Ellsworth reads the coverage, and more importantly I hope the folks continue to call and let him know we are not interested in a Government takeover of our Health Care system.

I have heard all the speakers, but the one I am most impressed with is Tarah De Staic who was born in Ireland and lived in the United Kingdom. Remember, this is the Model President Obama wants to adopt for our Country!

An Indianapolis resident, De Staic was born in Ireland and lived in the United Kingdom for four years before moving to the U.S. 15 years ago. De Staic, having experienced first-hand public healthcare, shared her thoughts, drawing parallels between her life in the U.S. and her family in Europe.

“National healthcare can be summed up in two words: ‘waiting list,’” De Staic said.

Her husband, now a U.S. citizen, developed a back problem that required him to see a specialist. He was able to get into the specialist within three days. It took her brother, who also had a back problem, 13 months to see a specialist.

In the United Kingdom, De Staic and her husband saved for four years to buy a home and were never able to get ahead. Within two years in the U.S., they purchased their first home.

“We got tired of the taxation,” De Staic said of life in Europe. “Overall taxation is higher.”

Make no mistake, this is where our Health Care system is heading if we let Congressman Ellsworth keep supporting President Obama and Speaker Pelosi.

Full Article in the Washington Times Herald

I will be the first to admit I have called the Mayor out on his secret tax raising meeting, his trying to claim the mantel of fiscal conservative, the misleading statements on the new stadium, but on this I will give him some credit.

“I think the time is coming in this community where we do need to take a good hard look at what consolidation might offer, especially with the property tax caps (passed last year) and the fact that, with our annexations, with the growth in our community, it’s becoming more and more urban,” Weinzapfel said.

“I support the process moving forward.”

I am glad to see the Mayor say that it is time to start looking seriously at government consolidation. With the property tax caps coming into full effect next year there is really no reason all Counties shouldn’t be looking at this. The Mayor gives a great example of what can be accomplished by looking at combining purchasing power. Remember this is not just about County and City governments. The example the Mayor gives also brings in the school system.

Weinzapfel said January’s decision to have local governments buy supplies jointly with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. is a prime example of the movement toward streamlined government.

Largely because of that decision, the mayor said, the City County Purchasing Department eliminated two positions and submitted a 2010 budget request of $139,136 — 46 percent less than 2009.

“It’s moving beyond simply just city and county to include other units like to school corporation when it’s practical and feasible,” he said.

So far the only person that is not open to the idea of this is State Senatore Vanetta Becker.

State Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, who says many of her constituents in nonincorporated Vanderburgh County oppose consolidation, believes the energy for it has waned.

“We gave (advocates) a legislative mechanism for it in 2006, and no one has done anything with it,” Becker said. “We’ve already consolidated a lot of our local government in Vanderburgh County, and that may be why there hasn’t been a big push for it in either 2006 or since then.”

What she is saying is true, but on the other hand she needs to keep in mind the property tax caps had not been passed at that time. Now one of the largest roadblocks to consolidation has been removed, which has always been that the folks outside the City would be big losers in the deal. Also, keep in mind with the annexation plans 80% of the people will be in the incorporated City anyway.

I applaud the efforts in Vanderburgh County, and hope that they continue to move forward in a constructive way toward finding a consolidation plan that works for the benefit of the taxpayers and their long term prosperity.

Full article from the Evansville Courier and Press

Here is a nice fluffy piece in the Brazil Times about Congressman Ellsworth visiting with Hospital Administrators in Clay County. How nice, what a shame he didn’t bother to have a town hall meeting while he was there. He may have actually heard from his constituents, and realized they don’t want a Government Takeover of their Health Care.

Recently, representatives from St. Vincent Clay Hospital were given the opportunity to meet with U. S. Representative Brad Ellsworth.

The meeting was set up to discuss current issues with healthcare reform and the impact on our community.

The meeting covered how most healthcare discussions leave many citizens confused about possible changes.

It was highlighted at the meeting that St. Vincent Health is committed to finding ways to help solve the ongoing healthcare crisis and achieving the goal of Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind.

The meeting also covered the importance of getting correct information out to the public.

St. Vincent Clay Hospital has served Clay County residents since 1928 and is a member of St. Vincent Health, a nonprofit, spiritually centered healthcare system sponsored by Ascension Health.

So we are all clear, if you are a Hospital Administrator you can ask questions to Congressman Ellsworth in person. If you are just a Constituent you can call in to a phone number and not get to ask questions.

Everybody should understand the rules by now!