Indiana

WHAT PART OF ?REFORM? DO SOME PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND?

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I can’t believe there are people in this world who can’t grasp the concept of reform.  I have heard people complain that local governments will lose money.   I think what they mean to say is governments will get to keep less of YOUR money. 

One group that doesn’t get it is the Indiana State Teacher’s Association.  Check out this excerpt from an e-mail they sent out to their members.

“Property tax relief legislation passed both Houses Friday and is expected to cause negative repercussions to schools and other local units of government. The legislation shifts the last 15% of local property support for the School General Fund to the state, leaving instruction  without the safety net of local funding when state funds decline.   State revenues are now $250 million LOWER than projected for 2009 and revenue growth forecasts are being revised downward.”

Let me translate this into English, “We won’t have as much of the taxpayers’ money to play with anymore.”  Here’s another excerpt.

“Among the promises to public education which are now not likely to be kept are: State-wide implementation of full-day kindergarten; funding for PL 221 mandated standards; funding for the P-16 Education Plan; restoration of remediation funding.  Most importantly, school funding formula increases in 2009 and 2010 are in doubt.”

Let me translate this section into English for you, “We won’t have as much of the taxpayer’s money to play with anymore.”

I have yet to hear from one person who complained that the government was losing money who did not work for the government.   Local governments should use this opportunity to reinvent themselves by consolidating, privatizing and looking for efficiencies.    And if the squeeze is going to be put on them then I say fine.  They should have been doing this a long time ago. 

It’s a new day in Indiana and it’s time for everyone to get with the program or get lost.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on March 17, 2008 (boomark / email).