By: Brian Sikma

When President Obama visited hard-hit Elkhart, Indiana, earlier this week he was not the only one talking about the stimulus plan currently being debated on Capitol Hill. Working the crowd outside of the high school gymnasium where the President held the townhall-style meeting were members of the St. Joseph and Elkhart County Republican Parties. The group handed out brochures compiled, designed, and printed by the St. Joseph County GOP detailing some of the items in the stimulus bill that the President was not talking about.

By emphasizing the massive amount of spending contained in the stimulus plan and bringing attention to some of the more creative uses of taxpayer dollars, such as $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts or $600 million for new cars for federal employees, the local Republicans made the point that the kind of “stimulus” contained the bill being supported by the President is not the kind of stimulus that will help Elkhart County. With an unemployment rate of over 15%, Elkhart County needs a stimulus plan that focuses on putting people back to work in good paying jobs, not a stimulus plan that creates short-term jobs by spending more money on the size and scope of government.

The local Republicans were careful to point out that they were not saying “no” to any and all government participation in an economic recovery. Government action is needed, but not the kind of government action that raises the national debt to 95% of GDP and must be paid for through either tax increases or inflation caused by skyrocketing levels of debt.

As evidence that grassroots activism and civic participation does pay off, local media outlets noted in their stories about the President’s visit that opponents were on hand to respectfully oppose the policies they disagreed with. With polls showing support for the stimulus plan’s expansive spending measures quickly eroding, local efforts to reinforce the message coming from top Republicans in Washington that this plan is the wrong plan can play at powerful role in shaping the public’s understanding of what is taking place.

The battle for ideas and solutions does not start with the next campaign, it starts now. Just as House Republicans have done a good job of opposing unacceptable policies and advocating for more meaningful solutions, local Republicans in the northern part of Indiana have contributed significantly to the regional discussion about the stimulus bill.

By: Brian Sikma

What happens when you put a group of interested and engaged citizens in a room with a panel of property tax experts?  A lively discussion ensues with both sides walking away a little more informed than when the event started.  That was the case on Saturday morning when the St. Joseph County GOP headquarters was turned into a sort of local think-tank with a large crowd of interested citizens asking tough questions and offering intriguing insights into one side of the property tax debate while a panel of experts offered up their perspective of the situation.

The diverse panel was made up of Mayor Jeff Rea of Mishawaka, economist Josh Barro of the Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C., state Senator Joe Zakas of Granger, and Juan Manigault representing the South Bend Integrity PAC.  Chris Riley, the St. Joseph County GOP Chairman, served as the able moderator who provided thought provoking questions to start off the morning and kept the discussion on track as the panelists and audience interacted with each other.

Senator Zakas pointed out that property taxes went down by an average of 30% across the state after the passage of HB 1001 in 2008, the bill that included the so-called 1,2,3 plan.  This plan caps residential property taxes at 1% of assessed value, rental property and agricultural property at 2% of assessed value, and commercial and business property at 3% of assessed value.  Debate in the General Assembly this year is expected to include a discussion about placing the tax caps in the state Constitution as a way of protecting taxpayers and landowners against future increases.

(Read more below the fold)

By: Brian Sikma

It looks like state higher education funds and public broadcasting money might not be the only funding cut from the state budget this legislative session. In the wake of two videos that showed Planned Parenthood of Indiana clinics carrying out procedures that violated or willfully skirted state laws designed to protect minors who may be the victims of sexual abuse, State Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Jimtown) has called for the de-funding of Planned Parenthood.

The two videos of Indiana Planned Parenthood clinics, one in Bloomington and one in Indianapolis, were released within weeks of each other late last year. The first video, which captured the actions of Bloomington clinic worker, prompted Walorski to call for the Attorney General to investigate the matter. After the second video was released showing a similar incident at an Indianapolis Planned Parenthood clinic, Walorski asked the Family and Social Services Administration to suspend any funding it may be sending to Planned Parenthood.

Already the publicity case she has built up against Planned Parenthood has paid off when a public outcry was raised against a speaking appearance by Betty Cockrum, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. Cockrum was scheduled to speak to the St. Joseph County League of Women Voters at one South Bend location on Friday, January 9th, but public pressure forced the owners of the venue to cancel the event. Cockrum must now speak at a different location.

Rep. Walorski has done an excellent job in keeping the pressure on Planned Parenthood and those of us that support the pro-life position need to support her ongoing efforts in this battle. Planned Parenthood is having a hard time doing damage control and if pro-life advocates keep working hard, the longstanding friendly relationship between Planned Parenthood and various health-related state agencies could come to a close. Life is moving forward.

While it may be going too far to say he’s a Grinch bent on stealing Christmas, South Bend mayor Steve Luecke (D) has perhaps chosen the worst time of year to advocate for a tax increase.  Because St. Joseph County is facing a budget shortfall of $4 million dollars for the upcoming year and the City of South Bend is also facing shortfalls running into the millions of dollars, Mayor Luecke is urging that the county local option income tax be raised by 150%.

This new tax increase would hit everyone in St. Joseph County, but perhaps its telling that the mayor of South Bend, who is not part of county government, is the point man for this proposal. St. Joseph County isn’t just home to the job hemorrhaging city of South Bend but also to the expanding and growing city of Mishawaka as well as rural areas that are doing just fine. My advice to the County Council would be that they not listen to the tax policies put forth by Mayor Luecke unless they want to turn the entire county into a larger version of South Bend.

(Read more below the fold)

Editor’s Note: House Minority Leader John Boehner has faced criticism for not being a strong leader. The below is a look at a specific issue where relaxed leadership may not have been the best strategy.

By: Jack Flock

I would like to see new leadership for the house GOP. I think this past summer’s energy issue is a good example of how poor leadership from Boehner cost us making more hay from the issue.

Boehner allowed, or did not discourage, anyone and everyone from offering up some sort of energy legislation. As a result we ended up with 17-plus pieces of energy legislation swirling around the House.

This allowed every moderate Democrat to be able to “co-sponser” one of the many energy bills and then campaign back in the district that they are “for increasing domestic energy production” knowing full well that with support spread over 17-plus bills NOTHING would have enough support to actually move forward with any chance of passage. Knowing full well there was no danger of upsetting Nancy Pelosi and the extreme environmentalists.

This morning we held a press conference in South Bend in which I officially announced to the public that I am running for the Indiana House of Representatives in House District 7. The South Bend Tribune and the Howey Report have both posted items about the event, and I expect more coverage from WSBT Radio, WSBT TV, ABC 57, the South Bend Tribune and perhaps others. For more information on my campaign check out my website at www.DanHerbster.com. On the website you can find out more about the campaign, and you can make a safe and convenient contribution (hint, hint) via paypal or via check.

I hope to have photos (and maybe video) of the event posted soon on the website and on our “Dan Herbster for State Representative” facebook group. Here’s the official press release:

Dan Herbster is honored to have Kip Wellin, his former high school government teacher and basketball coach, join the Herbster team as campaign chairman

Today, Dan Herbster announced his candidacy for the Indiana House of Representatives for House District 7. Dan is a new face in local politics, and wants to use his teaching experience and familiarity with legislative matters to serve the residents of our district.

He also announced Kip Wellin’s acceptance of the campaign chairman position. Kip was Dan’s high school government teacher and basketball coach. Kip also has years of experience in the business world and in the classroom.

Dan Herbster issued the following statement:

“Thanks to all of you for coming out today. I am excited to announce that I am running for the Indiana House of Representatives here in House District 7. I am here today because I believe the time has come for new leadership, and I want to use my core values and my experiences teaching in the public schools and in schools overseas to serve and represent the community where I grew up. The issues I am most concerned about are attracting good paying jobs to our area, fighting tax increases, strengthening education, and protecting traditional Hoosier values.”

“I am also pleased to announce that my former high school government teacher and basketball coach, Kip Wellin, has agreed to be my campaign chairman. Kip has years of experience in the business world and has spent the last twelve years impacting the lives of young people as teacher and coach. I will greatly benefit from his support and advice, particularly on economic and educational issues.”

Kip Wellin issued the following statement:

“Today it is my distinct pleasure to accept Dan’s request to chair his bid for the Indiana House of Representatives. Having known Dan and his family for many years I can honestly say that Dan represents all that is good about the Hoosier state, and in particular the core values that we hold dear like hard work, low taxation, faith, and responsible, representative government. This campaign for the 7th district is about a call for new leadership and fresh ideas. And our candidate will bring youth, energy and vitality to a people who deserve nothing less. I am pleased to chair Dan’s bid to be your state representative.”

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Luke Puckett calls into Hoosier Access Radio and gives his thoughts on General Secretary Pelosi and her willing servant Joe Donnelly’s shutdown of the House with no vote on energy policy.

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The South Bend Tribune is reporting:

South Bend to cut 200 jobs by 2010

The city is cutting more than 200 employees over the next two years and could close parks facilities, because of a loss in property tax revenues from House Enrolled Act 1001.

Among those positions are 53 firefighters, 40 police officers and some parks personnel, which will have to be cut by 2010. It’s a total of 15 percent of the city’s staff.

Mayor Stephen Luecke told the Common Council during its first budget hearing Monday that the numbers are not pretty but are realistic.

The city will lose a projected $18.2 million annually to its general fund and $3.1 million to its Tax Increment Financing District funds by 2010, which means a loss in city services.

(Read more after the leap)

Brian Sikma, Hoosier Access contributor and Communications Director for Luke Puckett’s Congressional Campaign, gives Hoosier Access Radio a brief rundown of Luke Puckett’s trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

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Latest update from our friends at the 2nd Amendment Patriots below.  I was told by many Hoosier Access readers that you joined the effort to call council members to support gun owners in South Bend.

South Bend’s Common Council threw in the towel Thursday on their proposal to ban firearms on city owned property, regardless if you had a license to carry.

The council has declared they will postpone indefinitely that proposal and will take steps to withdraw it entirely. The 2nd Amendment Patriots up there who are on this e-mail list are going to be at the council’s meeting tonight to make sure that happens. As soon as I get a report from them I’ll pass it on.

Now there’s already some stories on why they’ve abandoned that ridiculous idea, but I’m going to tell you the real truth. I know the real truth because I’ve been getting the phone calls from the council members. In fact, I got another one today.

One story that’s been printed in one of their local papers up there said it was because the local retired city police was not going to support it because it would have prohibited them from carrying on city property, too.

If that were true, the council would have simple exempted the retired police and still passed their ordinance and the retired city cops would have then supported it. They would have no problem that the regular American citizen would have their Second Amendment Rights violated.

Email update I just received from 2nd Amendment Patriots -

First, let me correct the link on the news article about the South Bend, IN issue I’ve been writing about for the past few days. It had one too many dots in the link.

http://www.wndu.com/localnews/headlines/19677674.html

I called the Chamber Of Commerce this morning in South Bend and the President of the Common Council, which is the group that is proposing this nonsense of banning firearms on city owned property.

It was early when I called, but I left messages. With the C of C I did talk to a lady who listened to what I had to say and then patched me into the President of the C of C, Mark Eagan. He was out of town, but I was able to leave a message.

When we got home we had a call from the President of the Council as well as a call from a gentleman who is the Executive Director of the South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Business Bureau. Mark Eagan and sent him my call.

Here is an email I received in the past few days from our friends with the 2nd Amendment Patriots from southwest Indiana regarding South Bend’s efforts to ban guns on city owned property.

Here’s where things stand on the South Bend, IN proposed gun ban and you and go to this link to see what started all of this. http://www..wndu.com/localnews/headlines/19677674.html

Our friend Len Grummell in South Bend tells me he’s getting lots of calls and things are shaping up to get a good crowd to attend the council meeting on Monday, June 23rd.

I want to thank all of you who have contacted Len.  I hope it’s standing room only and all those in and around the South Bend area show up.

I also want to thank Jerry Wehner, President of the Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association, for notifying members of that group.  Also thanks to Diana Vice with IN Self Defense, a gun rights group in the Lafayette area who sent out a notice,too.  These fine people and their groups are on this e-mail list and we appreciate them taking quick action.

Indiana State Representative Jackie Walorski, whose district is in portions of South Bend is currently out of state, but she told me today she will be back and plans to be at that meeting.

This is one solid pro gun legislator.  I recommend anyone within driving distance of that meeting be there to see Rep. Walorski in action.