Archives > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Legislators talk about economic development
By BILL RICHMOND and
GENE MORELAND
News-Gazette editors
Economic development was the focus of Saturday's Legislative Update, Saturday at the Randolph County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Senator Allen Paul (R-Richmond) and representatives Bill Davis (R-Portland) and Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) briefed area residents on pending legislation and answered questions concerning local issues.
Rep. Saunders expressed support for a bill that would help business recruitment by creating a form of property tax/tax revenue sharing among partner taxing units. The five-county Eastern Indiana Development District (EIDD), of which Randolph County is a member, is one such taxing unit. He said the proposed bill will level the playing field, making it so rural counties can compete for jobs with metropolitan areas.
Saunders expressed support for the creation of an intermodal train hub in Henry County that would share the benefits of economic development with neighboring regions. The hub would receive train loads of raw materials which would be disbursed and shipped out to businesses in neighboring industrial parks.
Rep. Davis said he is also convinced of the importance of counties and communities working together to create jobs and encourage economic development. He said tax credits are available for people who are willing to invest in local bio-diesel or ethanol plants.
The recent deadline for the House to hear all bills authored by representatives marked the halfway point of the 2005 General Assembly. Of the 859 bills filed in the house, just over 117 will now move to be heard by the senate. The house will hear approximately 229 bills of the 647 originally filed in the Senate. The deadline for a second reading is April 7 and the third reading deadline is April 11. The final day of the session is scheduled for April 29.
Senator Paul said the state senate legislative session is just starting.
"It's all about the budget," he said. "I will draw the line at increasing taxes."
Paul said it will be up to Governor Mitch Daniels to pick which legislation he wants to succeed.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of winchesternewsgazette.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
