Government at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information
Sine Die: Biggest tax cut in history or lost opportunity for middle class
By Rick Yencer
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Despite super majorities by Republicans in the Indiana General Assembly, there was still a great divide between money and people when the session was declared Sine Die or done on Saturday morning.
Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, probably said it best. "The price of harmony is doing nothing."
Muncie Sanitary District saves trees along White River
By Rick Yencer
MUNCIE, IN - The Muncie Sanitary District pulled off an Arbor Day miracle this week that caused the federal government to stop the removal of dozens of trees along the White River levee.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers informed the sanitary district this week that no trees had to be removed from the northwest section of the levee between North Wheeling Avenue and Hawthorne Drive.
That was great news for Bill Smith, administrator and president of the sanitary district, who had district staff work with the federal government to ensure the levee protected against flooding even with the trees that line it.
"We are very thankful to the work by the ACE and district staff," said Smith.
Rick Conrad, the district's water quality director, worked with the engineers who re-evaluated an initial decision to remove over 130 trees along the levee in the city.
Hoosiers see tax relief for income, business and death
By Rick Yencer
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Hoosiers will see tax relief in life and death from Republican lawmakers, but Democrats say the $1 billion give-back will be at the expense of the middle class.
The end of the Indiana General Assembly's session on Friday will be heralded by Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, as keeping the state the financial envy of the country that will still create jobs.
Indiana General Assembly 2013: $1 billion in tax relief at expense of education, gaming
By Rick Yencer
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Look for Republican lawmakers to roll out $1 billion in tax cuts when a new 2-year state budget is approved by the Indiana General Assembly in the next couple of days.
Road tax in Delaware County IN: Paving or people
By Rick Yencer
MUNCIE, IN - The debate over renewing a county wheel tax quickly became an issue of accountability as Delaware County Council took the first step Tuesday to continue the flow of revenue from license registration fees to local government.
Council voted 4-3 to introduce the renewal of a $25 yearly charge on cars and $40 for larger commercial and farm vehicles that could easily cost businesses and farmers thousands of dollars. Final action comes May 28.
James Rhoads of Connersville Receives WorkOne Achievement Award
Free Press Report
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - James Rhoads of Connersville was presented with the WorkOne Achievement Award last week for overcoming several employment barriers and pursuing a better life for himself. He received the award this week in a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
Rhoads was an unemployed installation technician who went to school for his Associate’s Degree in Industrial Maintenance. He came to WorkOne looking for job search assistance after he completed his degree.
Rhoads was able to utilize the many services WorkOne has available for veterans while also taking advantage of other WorkOne services, such as workshops, free online training and WorkKeys skills assessment testing. All of this help gave him a competitive advantage in looking for a job.
Secretary of State Connie Lawson Collected over 150 Suits for Dress for Success
Free Press Report
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson collected over 150 women’s suits for Dress for Success’ Send One Suit drive. Secretary Lawson encouraged participants to donate one suit, one blouse and one monetary gift.
“Giving Hoosier women the ability to approach a job interview in a professional manner empowers them to move toward economic independence,” said Secretary Lawson. “These contributions to Dress for Success Indianapolis are crucial to the aim of providing professional development to women. I am thankful to all who supported our Send One Suit effort, and I’m thankful that Dress for Success is hard at work putting these contributions to their best and highest purpose.”
Secretary Lawson invited other statewide offices and the Indiana General Assembly to participate. Secretary Lawson collected donations in her Statehouse office along with setting collection pick up spots around the Statehouse.
Errington: Hardest Hit Fund Expands Foreclosure Prevention Assitance
Free Press Report
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) is pleased to announce to her community that the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) will provide foreclosure prevention assistance to more Hoosiers under the program’s new expansion.
Grede Foundry of New Castle Receives WorkOne Achievement Award
Free Press Report
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Grede Foundry, located in New Castle, received a WorkOne Achievement Award last week for partnering with WorkOne to create employment opportunities for local Hoosiers. The award was presented in a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
Putting Our Money Where Our Hearts Are
By Lynn Fitz-Hugh
“I will give one for defense, but I’m cutting the whole offense budget,” the man said as he dropped one penny into the jar marked “Military” in our Tax Day Penny Poll. Then he dropped various amounts of his 10 pennies into various jars with labels such as Health and Human Services, Education, Foreign Humanitarian Aid, and Environmental Protection.
We’ve been conducting these polls for years across the US. A group of us stood outside a post office in Seattle on April 15th. Each “voter” was given 10 pennies to vote how s/he would like federal tax dollars to be spent. When they were finished voting I would unroll 40-inch long, one-inch high piece of paper which revealed the actual way we spend our tax dollars. It would show: 60 percent goes to the military. It showed 16 other categories (one of which is everything that gets less than one percent of the budget). The next closest to the military is Health and Human Services which received five percent last year as did Education—the winner of my penny poll.
