Democrats on Religion

Recently the Democrats in the House released a statement entitled : House Democrats Release Historic Catholic Statement of Principles, 55 house Dems were proud to have their star atached to this "historic" release....

Some things they didn't happen to say in their release...

35 of the 55 Democrat signers voted against the partial birth abortion ban...

12 of 13 women signers (DEMS) are on EMILY's List's website as "Women we helped elect"

Cute huh ???

www.emilyslist.org

Major Moves Endorsements

Governor Daniels Major Moves initiative is gaining support at a rapid pace!

The following list of organizations, businesses, companies, and Mayors have given their support to Major Moves.If your organization supports Major Moves and is not listed below, please contact us today so we can add it to the growing list of supporters. ..................................................................
Major Moves Endorsements
Agribusiness Council of Indiana
Allen County Board of Commissioners
American Concrete Pavement Association of Indiana
American Council of Engineering Companies of Indiana
American General Financial Services
American Road and Transportation Builders Association
Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana
Associated General Contractors of Indiana
Bestway Express, Inc.
Build Indiana Council
Bunge North America
Central Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council
Clabber Girl Corporation
Countrymark Cooperative
Dearborn County Board of Commissioners
Demeter LP
Duke Realty Corporation
Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County
Elkhart County Board of Commissioners
Elkhart County Council
Evansville Small Business Incubator Program
Fifth Third Bank ( Southern Indiana)
Fishers Town Council
Grant County Economic Growth Council Board of Directors
Greenwood Common Council
Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors
Hagerman Construction Corporation
Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor, Inc.
Hoosier Voices for I-69
Howard County Board of Commissioners
Howard County Council IN Partners, LLC
Indiana Association of Cities and Towns
Indiana Association of County Commissioners
Indiana Association of Realtors - 19,000 members statewide
Indiana Builders Association - 5,820 member companies across Indiana
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Coal Council
Indiana Commercial Board of Realtors
Indiana Conference of Mayors
Indiana Constructors, Inc.
Indiana Corn Growers Association
Indiana Economic Development Association
Indiana Equipment Distributors
Indiana Fort to Port Task Force
Indiana Manufactured Housing Association
Indiana Manufacturers Association
Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association
Indiana Motor Truck Association
Indiana Packers Corporation
Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Indiana Soybean Growers Association
Indiana State Conference of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Indiana-Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights
International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 4 of IN & KY
Kokomo Board of Public Works & Safety
Kokomo Common Council
Kokomo/Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Lawrenceburg City Council
Meadowlane Farms
Metropolitan Evansville Chamber of Commerce
National Taxpayers Union
Northeast Indiana Chamber Coalition
Northwestern Indiana Building & Construction Trades Council
Old National Bank
Operating Engineers, Locals 150, 103, 841
Pendleton Town Council
Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Pike County Growth Council
Precision Rings, Inc.
Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council, Inc.
Red Gold
Rolls Royce
Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local Union No. 20
Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce (Clark & Floyd Counties)
St. Joe Valley Building & Construction Trades Council
Teamsters Joint Council No. 69
Teamsters Local Union No. 135
TechPoint
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce
The Streetview Group, Inc.
Tippecanoe County Board of Commissioners
Toyota
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta
U.S. Senator Richard Lugar
US 31 Coalition
Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners
Vectren
Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce
WellPoint

Mayoral Support

Anderson Mayor, Kevin S. Smith

Attica Mayor, Butch Swift

Aurora Mayor, Donnie Hastings, Jr."I support the Governor's efforts to improve the quality of life for all Hoosiers. The MAJOR MOVES is a positive step forward for all of Indiana."

Bedford Mayor, Joe Klumpp"Daniels' Major Moves proposal is the epitome of his style of leadership and I support it 100%. This is a bold and visionary initiative that floats on unchartered waters."

Beech Grove Mayor, Joe Wright "I support Major Moves and applaud the Governor for being the champion of change to provide the greatest opportunity for our state to grow."

Brazil Mayor, Tom Arthur

Butler Mayor, Butch Coburn

Carmel Mayor, James Brainard

Connersville Mayor, Max Ellison

Delphi Mayor, Lee Hoard

Elkhart Mayor, David Miller "Major Moves gives Indiana an opportunity to catch and surpass neighboring, competing states for quality infrastructure....Indiana's future may very well depend on whether we have the nerve to make ‘Major Moves."

Frankfort Mayor, Don Stock "I support Governor Daniels, Major Moves. His out of the box thinking has allowed three major thoroughfare to start making travel in the State of Indiana easier at the same time gave support to local government in our need for road and street repairs. Thank you, Governor Daniels."

Franklin Mayor, Brenda Jones-Matthews

Gary Mayor, Scott King "If not [Major Moves],what? I have reviewed the proposal by the Democratic party and cannot see how it substantially provides for the level of investment needed now to enhance Indiana's ability to be fully competitive for economic development opportunities desperately needed in communities throughout the state."

Kokomo Mayor, Matt McKillip"For years, state government has over-promised, under-delivered and lacked funds to get roadwork done. Through Major Moves, Governor Daniels is being honest with us about what we can afford, is prioritizing projects so we can get the most bang for the buck, and investing in Indiana's and our future."

Greenwood Mayor, Charles Henderson

Logansport Mayor, Michael Fincher "Governor Daniels and INDOT are heading in the right direction by establishing a 10 year transportation plan and providing funding to actually build important state highways."

Marion Mayor, Wayne Seybold

Muncie Mayor, Daniel Canan

Oakland City Mayor, Hugh Wirth

Petersburg Mayor, Jon Craig "This is about so much more than convenience and ease of travel between Indianapolis and Evansville. This is about the very livelihood of Indiana's southwestern quadrant and its future success in economic development."

Portland Mayor, Bruce Hosier "...I think this plan is a positive step in the right direction for all of Indiana, not just a few pockets of our state."

Rensselaer Mayor, Herbert Arihood "A plan for improving Indiana's transportation infrastructure is greatly needed. I sincerely applaud Governor Daniels for aggressively attacking this issue."

Rushville Mayor, Bob Bridges

Scottsburg Mayor, Bill Graham

Shelbyville Mayor, Scott Furgeson

Tell City Mayor, Gayle Strassell

Terre Haute Mayor, Kevin Burke "Major Moves provides a new opportunity for us to get moving on long-awaited work that will provide construction jobs, and improve the infrastructure that we will use to attract new businesses and to grow the ones we have."

Valparaiso Mayor, Jon Costas

Warsaw Mayor, Ernie Wiggins

Washington Mayor, Dave Abel "Those who support new highway construction should support [Major Moves]....People create government to make their lives better. Better highways will save lives, will create opportunity and will make stronger communities."

National Right to Carry

NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY RECIPROCITY BILL INTRODUCED

U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently introduced H.R. 4547-a national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill that would provide national reciprocity for state carry licensees. The bill would allow any person with a valid carry permit or license issued by a state to carry a concealed firearm in any other state if they meet certain criteria. The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it would simply require the states to recognize each other's carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses.

BATFE Gone Wild

HOUSE HEARS CONCERNS ABOUT RICHMOND GUN SHOW
On Wednesday, February 15, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security heard testimony from individuals affected by heavy-handed enforcement tactics of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) at a gun show in Richmond, Virginia last August.
According to the gun show organizer, Annette Gelles of Showmasters, dozens of BATFE and local law enforcement officers intrusively questioned dealers and customers, tried to discourage people from buying guns, and stopped show attendees on the roads after they left. In some cases, customers' lawfully purchased guns were confiscated, and returned only when the customers visited BATFE's office for more questioning. In other cases, local police officers visited gun buyers' homes to conduct "residency checks"-intrusive questioning of family members and even neighbors.
One show visitor, James Lalime, a private citizen who sometimes works for a dealer at the local gun shows, testified that he was interrogated by BATFE and other law enforcement personnel who accused him of dealing in firearms without a license. John White, a show exhibitor, licensed dealer, and former police officer, testified that he appreciates law enforcement officials' efforts to prevent illegal sales, but that enforcement activities went too far-especially in focusing on buyers who were women or members of minority groups. Suzanne McComas, an investigator for NRA-ILA, also testified and provided sworn affidavits from individuals who were singled out for BATFE attention, apparently on the basis of race or sex.
The subcommittee members were upset with what they heard. Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC) questioned whether the operations were "a proper allocation of resources," and suggested that "49 law enforcement officers could have found a better way to curb criminal activity in the Richmond area." Over the next few months, the same subcommittee expects to hold additional oversight hearings on this and other BATFE activities, including both citizen witnesses and BATFE officials. Watch the Grassroots Alert for more details as they're available.

Indiana Dems at it again !

A couple more rumors being spread by the Indiana Democratic Caucus

MYTH: Allowing the private company to take depreciation will add to the federal budget deficit.
FACT: As a government entity, the State of Indiana does not pay federal taxes on the Toll Road. The fact that SMP will pay taxes, even allowing for depreciation, will increase federal revenue.

MYTH: All property owned by the private company is exempt from property taxation.
FACT: The private company will not own the Toll Road, it is leasing the Toll Road from the State. Since the State does not pay property taxes on its property, there will be no loss in revenue or assessed value to local units of government. In addition, the company will pay sales and income tax not currently paid by the State.

Highlights of Bills for this house session

Here are some of the highlights:

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Senate Bill 283 would authorize a city, town or county to establish a “reverse 911" system to warn people by telephone in the event of weather emergencies like tornadoes, as well as utility outages, boil orders for drinking water contamination, evacuation notices, fires, floods, bomb threats and other disastrous situations.

EDUCATION: SB 324 requires the State Board of Education to annually study those statutes, rules and policies that restrict school corporations from allocating resources on student instruction.

CHILD SERVICES: SB 112 would move the First Steps program under the state’s new Bureau of Child Services. First Steps is designed to give infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities access to early intervention services close to their homes.

DISRUPTING FUNERALS: SB 5 makes disorderly conduct a Class D Felony if it takes place within 500 feet of a funeral, burial or memorial service or visitation and disrupts those services. Violators could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT: SB 83 imposes a mandatory minimum sentence on any person who resists law enforcement by fleeing in a motor vehicle that causes bodily injury or death to someone else.

JURY SERVICE: SB 232 protects a person from losing a job, salary or benefits if called to jury duty. The bill also prohibits employers from requiring workers to use vacation or sick leave for jury service, and eliminates automatic exemptions from serving on a jury.

LICENSE ISSUES: SB 208 will enable a person with a specific medical condition to have that information included on his or her driver’s license, learner’s permit or identification. SB 269 will require the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue personalized license plates every year. SB 297 increases the penalties for people who knowingly provide false information when applying for a license, permit or ID card.

Indiana House Toll Free 1-800-382-9842

Major Moves

Even though it's expected, I can't believe the amount of controversy over Governor Daniels Major Moves plan...

The biggest stickler is the leasing of the Indiana Toll Road to a foreign company. I see flaws in the plan but I don't think it will be the end of life as we know it like the liberals would have you believe. (the democrats also say we're selling the road - they must not understand the difference between leasing and selling)

The democrats also say we're going to lose all the jobs associated with the road, do they really believe that all of those toll road employees will be gone...it will still be a toll road..and someone will have to work on it...do they really believe that the company will import all of it's own workers (would you travel thousands of miles to take a job collecting change in the middle of the highway?)

Things you don't know and probably wouldn't bother to find out on your own....

1. The company bidding on the lease for the toll road already manages major toll roads in the US (Chicago for one location)

2. A British company has run the Indianapolis Airport since 1995.

3. Nearly 900 International companies already employ 130,000 Hoosiers (Toyota, Subaru, FIA, etc.)

4. Seven other states are currently seeking to fund projects in this same way..there are only a limited number of companies that bid these type of projects..do we want the money or want other states to get it.

5. The road is not being sold, it is being leased and every facet of it's management is spelled out in the contract, including pothole repair standards and even how long before a dead animal is cleared from the roadway (8 hours).

6. Using bonding would not raise the funds needed and Hoosiers would be paying interest on the money received. By leasing, we will be earning interest from day one on the 3.85 billion dollar down payment on the lease (about 150 million in the first year).

7. The money from the toll road lease will be used to fund other transportation projects which is projected to employ another 130,000 Hoosiers.

Just some thoughts.......