TERRE HAUTE —
If Gov. Mike Pence gets his wish, incoming motorists will see “Welcome to Indiana” highway signs also bearing the phrase “the lowest taxed state in the Midwest.”
Let’s hope those visitors don’t hit a pothole as they momentarily divert their gaze.
We also hope the traffic inbound to the Hoosier state includes the Koch brothers — billionaires from Kansas and New York. It would be enlightening for both to physically drive a few dozen miles on the backroads and highways across our state, Indiana. Many of those byways are bumpier than any time in recent memory. Some are crumbling. Those problems matter here.
The Koch twins’ national right-wing political action group, Americans for Prosperity, is using its Indiana chapter to pressure Republican state legislators into submitting to the governor’s push for a 10-percent cut in the personal income tax. Those same GOP lawmakers, who control both chambers of the Legislature, crafted a two-year budget that commits $200 million more for education and $500 million more for roads than Pence’s plan. They left out the governor’s tax cut to reinvest in schools and highways, two areas hard-hit by recession-era cutbacks.
The state reps and senators live here, drive the neglected roads, and understand firsthand the impact of $300 million in cuts to elementaries, middle schools and high schools during the Great Recession.
In response, AFP plans a six-figure media blitz to scorn the defiant Republicans. Ironically, those GOP lawmakers are about to experience an assault from the same group that targeted national public officeholders who would not embrace a rigid, tea-party agenda — primarily Democrats, but also consensus-building Republicans such as former Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana.
To be sure, that pressure can be withering and occasionally successful. Ads painted Lugar as an out-of-touch liberal, of all things, and he lost in last May’s primary to compromise-averse Richard Mourdock. In November, though, the full spectrum of Hoosier voters rejected the ploy — and Mourdock — and instead gave the seat held by Republicans for nearly 40 years to a more Lugar-like moderate, Democrat Joe Donnelly.
Likewise, pragmatism should rule in the General Assembly. Republicans should stick by their budget proposal.
As this AFP campaign unfolds, Hoosiers will undoubtedly wonder why Republicans would snub a tax-cut plan by a governor of their own party.
Pence, then a congressman in Washington, came up with the tax-cut idea during his campaign for governor and didn’t consult the GOP state legislators who’ve labored through the austerity policies of recent years. They know Indiana already is a beacon of fiscal frugality. Taxes are among the nation’s lowest. Cuts have been made to K-12 education, colleges, social services, corrections and public safety, and environmental protection. Local governments and school districts have downsized. The state workforce hasn’t been smaller since the 1970s.
And now a new governor and a national super PAC want them to slice another half-billion dollars a year with another tax cut?
“It’s easy to bang a ‘Hey, let’s cut taxes drum,’” said Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, a conservative Republican. “But you’ve got to be sure it’s a smart cut, [and] it’s sustainable in the long run, not just in an election cycle. That’s our goal.”
“Tax cut” looks good on a campaign platform, whether in 2012 or 2016, which the Koch brothers’ super PAC obviously knows. “Tax cut” may also look good on a “Welcome to Indiana” sign. Thousands of folks who plan to stay here, though, are ready to see “Road Construction Ahead.”
Opinion
EDITORIAL: State should stay smart about its tax resources
Investments needed in schools, roadways
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EDITORIAL: A timely call-out of NSA critics
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READERS' FORUM: June 19, 2013
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RONN MOTT: Why Syria?
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LIZ CIANCONE: Another beloved dog goes to heaven
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READERS’ FORUM: June 18, 2013
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MAX JONES: For loyal readers, a bit of news from the T-S newsroom
As journalists toiling to create a content-rich, relevant and compelling community newspaper each day, we feel a special bond with our legions of readers across the Wabash Valley and beyond.
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GUEST COLUMN: One Million Bones exhibit meant to raise awareness, inspire action to end genocide
The National Mall: A grassy corridor in Washington, D.C., lined with America’s greatest museums and monuments.
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EDITORIAL: Insisting on ISTEP quality lawmakers’ primary duty
Now that everyone, on both sides of the aisle, seems backslappingly happy to agree that this spring’s ISTEP school testing debacle was unacceptable, that at least some of the results lack credibility and that the issue carries high-stakes significance, what next?
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The Obama Debate: Is he a liar or incompetent?
I read the letters on the opinion page daily and I find an unusual silence from your liberal progressive contributors lately. Could it be because they don’t have anything to expound upon? Well, maybe I can give them some material.
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A Fathers Day Tribute: Transition — from child to father
Transition seems like a big word to use as his story unfolds. Transition was probably never used in conjunction with speech, his speech, but it demonstrates his life, as it does in many lives lived in his generation.
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READERS' FORUM: June 16, 2013
Horrible crime cries out for stern justice
Confused about groups’ merger
Global warming fraud exposed
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The Obama Debate: President has served us well
I have not heard a positive thing by those in this area about this president since his 2008 election and 2009 inauguration. Why this manifestation, I just can’t understand.
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RONN MOTT: Not hurried a bit by 21st century tech
Unlike so many of you, I do not get up in the morning and run to turn on my computer. In fact, if you need to reach me in a hurry, I would say that 19th century invention of Alexander Bell’s would be the best way. If you do email me or use some other electronic convenience, better give it a couple of days because I am not in that big of a hurry.
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READERS' FORUM: June 15, 2013
America needs another hero
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EDITORIAL: And now we wait for justice
It is a word we would rather never have on our front page — homicide. That we had to use it twice on Wednesday’s front page is sad, but unavoidable.
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READERS' FORUM: June 14, 2013
Mott statements contradict history
Display the flag
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RONN MOTT: Kill the Umpire!
I don’t know who appointed Major League Baseball’s umpires “Gods,” but if they have been appointed “Gods,” they have appointed people who cannot see or think very well.
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READERS' FORUM: June 13, 2013
Bad odor from gas prices
Build personal library
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EDITORIAL: Remembering Sister Jeanne
Terre Haute is mourning the loss this week of an accomplished and beloved community activist and leader whose life’s work is an inspiration to all who strive to serve.
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EDITORIAL: Embrace the value of traffic planning
Never underestimate the value of a good plan to deal with a crisis, large or small, even if the final analysis of the management of a specific crisis is, “It could have been worse.”
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READERS' FORUM: June 12, 2013
Like it or not, change coming
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RONN MOTT: What’s happening?
I know I may have looked at these situations differently when I was in my twenties. The world, my life, my career, and the growth of my family all lay ahead of me. So perhaps now, many years later, I see it differently.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 11, 2013
• Great support for local cause
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LIZ CIANCONE: Withdrawn society not very social any more
My Best Friend and I went out for lunch the other day. It was a sit-down place with our own “server” (in my day I was called “a waitress”) and everything offering personal attention. The manager even came over to ask if everything was all right.
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READERS’ FORUM: June 10, 2013
• What is the cost of our austerity?
• Vintage campers to gather at rally
• Seek a healthy food alternative
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EDITORIAL: It’s time to assess ISTEP
Later this month, the company behind this spring’s abysmal online administration of ISTEP testing for 27,000 Hoosier schoolchildren is being called to the principal’s office.
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Readers’ Forum: June 9, 2013
• Taking time to help the world
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• Questions from a wondering mind
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FLASHPOINT: Storm chasers must heed warnings, remember why we chase storms
The tragic death of noted weather researcher and former Discovery Channel storm chaser Tim Samaras has shaken all of us in the meteorological community.
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Will you be happy if you win the lottery?
A Psychology Today article titled “What Will You Do if You Win the $550 Million Powerball Lottery?” caught my attention. Helping lottery winners with their money is my long-time gig.
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RONN MOTT: The ‘wilds’ of Collett Park
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