STATEHOUSE (March 20, 2009) - Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville) released results from her annual legislative survey today and said that in many cases, they mirror efforts being made by Senate Republicans during the first half of this, the 116th Indiana General Assembly.
Residents of Senate District 24 told Lawson they wanted to see government spending reduced and have government streamlined. Lawson acknowledged each of those questions generated an 80 percent response.
Lawson confirmed that Senate Republicans are committed to crafting a third consecutive balanced budget without dipping into the rainy day fund. In Lawson's survey, 80 percent supported government spending be reduced while only 13 percent favored using emergency rainy day funds.
Meanwhile, 73 percent favored passage of an amendment capping property taxes on owner-occupied homes, other residential and agricultural properties, and businesses. Lawson and her Senate colleagues have already passed Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would send that issue to the voters in 2010. It now rests with the House of Representatives.
"Residents of my district expressed that there is an urgent need for property tax reforms and I agree with them," Lawson stated. "Property tax reforms need to be written into the Indiana Constitution to protect all Hoosiers."
Other survey results were just as clear:
- 80 percent supported Kernan-Shepard recommendations; the Senate overwhelmingly supported the reforms but they died in the House of Representatives. The restructuring would have allowed most counties to consider the reorganization of library services; combining boards of commissioners and county councils; eliminating township advisory boards and requiring the trustee's budget to be approved by the county councils; require smaller school districts to consider consolidation; and move town and city elections to even-numbered, non-presidential election years and school board elections from the spring to the fall.
- 69 percent supported protecting K-college funding and programs from Indiana state budget cuts.
Lawson expressed appreciation to all who participated in the survey.
"The results of these surveys allow me to see what issues are most important to Hoosiers in my district," Lawson said. "I want to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey and I want them to know their opinions help me to make important decisions in the Indiana General Assembly."
For complete survey results, go to my home page at www.in.gov/senator.lawson
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