Open Letter from Sen. Karen Tallian: Dear county officials…

November 24, 2009

Dear county officials:

This is an invitation. It is free. No hidden gimmicks. County governments all over the state are invited to use a free tool provided by the Indiana General Assembly. In 2008, I authored legislation to allow, on a voluntary basis, monthly payment of real estate taxes by automatic deduction from a checking account.  Millions of people choose to pay bills this way. I stress: This is voluntary, solely at the option of the taxpayer. The county only need pass an ordinance. A free model is available. Help yourself. Get that money rolling in every month instead of once or twice a year. And Porter County … please let me be the first to sign up.

Karen Tallian
State Senator
District 4

In the news: Simpson’s push for 2011 redistricting commission gains support

Last week Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson said she has supported for many years the concept of using an independent commission in the legislative redistricting process, as recently proposed by Senate Republicans. What she does not support, however, is the delay in implementing that concept for another decade.

In a statement on Nov. 12 Simpson said, “There is no reason that we cannot adopt the independent commission this year and improve the 2011 redistricting process,” Sen. Simpson said. “If this is a good idea for 2021, then why not institute it now?”

The idea is gaining support. From the Evansville Courier & Press Nov. 20 editorial:

But we tend to agree with Sen. Vi Simpson of Ellettsville, Democrat leader in the House, and with minority House Republicans.

They support the idea of an independent commission but do not want to wait another 10 years before seeing its creation.

Indiana’s October unemployment rate at 9.8%

Indiana’s October unemployment rate was 9.8%, an increase of +0.1% from September. The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 10.2%.

Elkhart, Noble and Lagrange counties continue to have the highest unemployment in the state – all above 14%. Daviess County reported the lowest unemployment in the state at 5.5%.

County unemployment ranking(pdf)
Employment figures by metro area (pdf)
Indiana map of county rates (pdf)

Video: Young on Organization Day

Video: Taylor on Organization Day

Video: Tallian on Organization Day

Video: Simpson on Organization Day

Video: Lanane on Organization Day

Video: Skinner on Organization Day

Video: Sipes on Organization Day