Editor, Times-Union: Some answers for Mr. Thompson: “... normal start date for bills ... is July 1 and Jan.1 ... For some reason this bill (RTW) will take effect March 14, can you tell us why?”
Not exactly sure why but I suspect it is because some unions would try to negotiate long-term contracts before a July 1 effective date as did the ISTA last year before the new education reforms went into effect.
“You say your poll was 78 percent support RTW, 18 percent oppose .... Well, seems strange that I was never polled. Who did you poll, the people that you knew would be supporters and a few others?”
If you were not polled, either you missed it in the mail or you are not a registered voter. My survey went out to every registered voter in the district – Republican, Democrat and Libertarian – close to 15,000 registered voters. You may need to check your voter registration.
“I would also wonder why you would mention that of the 18 percent that oppose are probably 100 percent union members.”
With the exception of one lady at church, the only people that have talked to me opposing RTW are the union members, mostly from DePuy and Kroger that took the time to come see me at Indianapolis.
“Why wouldn’t you put together another meeting to present your views and listen to what your constituents have to say?”
I attend town hall meetings every other Saturday in Goshen, I held one in Wabash two weeks ago, will attend two in Warsaw this month and one in Marion at month end. Constituents do come and voice their opinions at these meetings.
Mr. Thompson, my staff did receive three emails from you that were not answered. The first two in their opinion were similar to other letters received and I usually do not respond to form letters. The third one appears to have been your own thoughts on the issue and I should have been asked by staff to respond. For this I apologize.
Finally, with regards to your comment on the cosmetology situation, all I can say is you got me there. If you want to know how that all came about I’d welcome the opportunity to share the whole story.
