Folks, the Indiana General Assembly finally created a system where political entities such as school boards and government bodies (ie Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, a Municipal Corporation) must hold a referendum in order to raise our property taxes instead of the former remonstrance system.

So in the case of HHC, we’re led to believe that even though we are being asked permission to raise our property taxes, they won’t. Do you believe them? I certainly don’t. Think of all the variables involved. This entire project is hinging upon splitting monies with nursing homes managed by another entity, that is leased to HHC then leased back to another entity in order to, as some claim, take advantage of increased Medicare reimbursements for government “owned” extended care facilities (aka nursing homes). Do you really believe this financial shell game will continue? Do you believe the upcoming ObamaPelosiReidCare in whatever form it takes will continue to reimburse at the rates they are reimbursing now, or will this fall under the millions of savings that ObamaPelosiReidCare proponents in DC are proclaiming in their respective bills?

Traditionally, Wishard has served the indigent and the “working poor”. However it appears under the forthcoming ObamaPelosiReidCare, the indigent and the “working poor” will be covered with comprehensive medical insurance that will be accepted at all medical facilities. So why would someone covered by ObamaPelosiReidCare go to Wishard when a hospital just north of downtown at 16th & Capitol does the same thing as Wishard? Does anyone even know what kind of reimbursements hospitals will receive under ObamaPelosiReidCare? Something tells me HHC knows what to expect in the forthcoming ObamaPelosiReidCare bills and they know the gravy train of money from the nursing homes will come to an end. This is why they want our property tax dollars in order to build their new hospital.

Never mind the arguments of previous public construction projects that turned into a boondoggle – The Central Library comes to mind. At least 6 major hospitals are operating in Marion County and many more operating or opening in surrounding counties PLUS the City of Indianapolis has just (quietly I might add) taken possession of the former Winona Hospital building, why is a new Wishard needed?

It is rather peculiar how it seems there is always one public construction project in line. This Wishard project is scheduled to break ground about the time that work on the Convention Center expansion, JW Marriott Hotel in conjunction with Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled to wrap up. Isn’t that interesting?

Property Tax Advocate David Bond writes the following below the fold:

Fellow Citizens: Upcoming referenda are a property tax issue!

This Tuesday, November 3rd, Hoosiers are asked to vote on several referenda (schools, hospitals, etc.), to permit local units of government, if they so choose, to exceed the promised protection of property tax caps; a gimmick which suggests that variable opinions on the history of value known as an assessments, can be somehow “capped.”

Don’t worry, your favorite mathematician or economist can’t explain the notion of capping a variable either, it’s a “government & bureaucracy kinda thing.”

Ever notice that contracts distinctly favor the people who pay for the drafting? Substitute the word “referenda” for “contracts” in the last sentence and ask that same question… If you examine these referenda questions closely, you’ll notice the drafting is “can’t lose” advocacy vs. an appropriate disclosure of citizens’ risk. What good are referenda, if the process is subsidized, one sided advocacy, that ignores a balanced presentation of the issues? Embedded tones of condescension within these disclosure deficient referenda, seem to perversely suggest, that opposition is somehow uninformed or an act of cruelty.

Municipal bond investors who rely upon these referenda proposals are protected by SEC regulations, and your real estate is the collateral used to secure & guarantee their return. Who protects you, the citizen? Where is your guarantee and what is your return? Remember to read all pertinent referenda & determine who did the drafting.

Hoosiers face an important financial decision on Tuesday; to protect their equity by voting “NO” on these referenda, or pledge their equity as collateral; by voting yes, or by default of failing to vote. Proponents of these referenda have access to highly organized, public & union resources; to get what they want, which is more of what most people have less of these days, income & equity. Where does this end? Between here & DC, don’t we already pay too much in taxes?

Don’t wait for balanced, proportional or informed media mention- for whatever reason, it’s not happening. Dont hand over your income & equity to people who won’t present you with the complete story. Don’t stand for it! Go to the polls and vote to protect your income and equity.