Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Current events of the Indiana Legislature were discussed Saturday at the 2002 House Update.
The program, sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau, was held at Manchester High School.
State Representatives Bill Ruppel, Dave Wolkins and Dan Leonard talked about current House issues and answered constituents' questions and concerns.
House Bill 2002, the state's recently passed economic development bill, received much attention. The bill, timely as Indiana has fallen from sixth in the nation in terms of economic development to 49th, hopes to sustain and revive the state by maintaining its industries and its "most valuable natural resource."
The bill allows the state to borrow against future tobacco settlement payments to maintain current operations and paves the way for economic development by offering industries incentives to locate and stay in Indiana.
"To bring the jobs back, we have to give incentives," Wolkins said.
The bill also hopes to entice Indiana youth, whom Rupple called "Indiana's greatest resource," with its Hoosier Growth Scholars Tax Credit. This provides a four-year $2,000 tax credit for Indiana graduates who remain in the state to work in a technological field.
House Bill 1001, the state budget proposal, also was discussed. The proposal, which passed with a party line vote of 51-49, is being considered by the Senate.
Strengths of the budget proposal include an increase in education spending both in K-12 and higher education, and the implementation of the Faith and Community Based Corrections Program for criminals in their final 100 days of sentencing. The bill does not include a tax increase.
Weaknesses include a lack of governmental spending cuts and broken promises to homeowners made in last year's tax restructuring bill.
Last year's bill called for a Homestead Credit Reduction of 16 percent. Under House Bill 1001, that will be reduced to 11 percent.
Wolkins discussed the need for a bill regulating isolated wetlands. Since the Supreme Court ruled that isolated wetlands, such as marshes and ponds on private property, are not considered waters of the U.S., their use cannot be federally or state regulated.
These waters do eventually drain into recognized water sources, mandating regulation.
A final bill discussed was House Bill 1902, French Lick and West Baden Riverboat. This bill allows a locally owned riverboat casino to operate in the historic district of the French Lick and West Baden area. Fifty percent of the boat's revenues will be used for community restoration and economic development.
