Economy is a key issue

Although some other key issues have dominated the news in recent months, those representing Jay County in the Statehouse in Indianapolis pointed to the economy as their top priority for the legislative session that begins Jan. 6.
Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) pointed his focus toward easing rules for small businesses and said possible changes in personal property tax will also be a key topic of debate. Rep. Greg Beumer (R-Modoc), who was selected earlier this month at a Republican caucus to replace Bill Davis, repeated his goal to “save rural Indiana”, with job assistance as a key part of that effort.
Holdman and Beumer also discussed the proposed amendment to the Indiana Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage and the problems between Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz and the Indiana State Board of Education.
Personal property taxes are levied on machines and business equipment, and there is expected to be a push for the state to move away from them as a revenue stream.
The goal, Holdman said, is to make life easier on businesses in the state, but he also noted that personal property taxes are key to funding local government and legislators must be careful to offer those entities other options.
“Being a former local elected official, the key is either one of two things,” agreed Beumer, who took over the District 33 seat after Davis resigned to become executive director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. “We either give local counties the option to drop out of that so that they can make that decision themselves, or if personal property is eliminated across the state … how are we going to replace that at the local level?”
Holdman, who chairs the banking committee and also serves on the insurance, tax and fiscal policy, local government and environmental affairs committees, has also discussed possible changes in rules for start-up businesses to make them less restrictive and more in line with federal regulations.
Both Beumer and Holdman indicated they are still considering their stances on the proposed same-sex marriage amendment, which reads: “Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Indiana. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.”
Prior to the Nov. 18 Republican caucus, Beumer, who represents all of Jay and Randolph counties and parts of Delaware County, said he was against amending the constitution for something that many people would consider discriminatory. But this week he said he’s continuing to gather information on the issue.
“I haven’t made up my mind one way or the other,” he said. “There are forceful arguments on both sides. I’m taking my time and would like to meet with constituents and evaluate all the angles.
“It is a topic that everyone involved on both sides of the issue I have found they are very passionate about their beliefs. It is the one area that, even though I’ve only been in the position for a week, I’ve received a significant number of emails on both sides of the issue.”
Holdman originally voted in favor of the ban, but is reconsidering his position. He pointed out that the last state to pass such a law was North Carolina in 2008 and public opinion has changed significantly on the issue since then.
There has been an effort from large businesses in the state to oppose the amendment, and polling numbers have shown a majority of Hoosiers are against it.
Ball State University conducted a poll in October in which 57.6 percent of respondents were against the amendment while only 38.1 percent supported it.  
“The large majority, probably three quarters or even close to 80 percent of the contacts I’ve had from constituents have been against the marriage amendment,” said Holdman, who represents all of Jay, Adams, Wells and Blackford counties and parts of Grant and Huntington counties in District 19. “There’s quite a groundswell … to not support pushing the amendment out to the voters for next fall’s election.”
Education has been and is expected to also continue to be a key issue at the state level.
Ritz and the state board have clashed since she took office in January, with the former suing the latter claiming a violation of state law. That lawsuit was dismissed.
Earlier this month, Ritz walked out of a board meeting in frustration after a board member tried to transfer certain powers away from her office.
However, Ritz and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Wednesday they have agreed to let the National Association of State Boards of Education step in as a mediator in the various disputes.
The lawsuit was regrettable, Holdman said, but he also noted that he understands Ritz’s frustration. He said he has had positive interactions with Ritz and several of her board members and hopes the legislature will not have to get involved to resolve the dispute.
“I think we took some very good steps with regard to education reform,” Holdman said. “We’re right at the beginning of implementation of those reform efforts. To not have the superintendent and the board speaking to each other civilly is not a good thing for us. I just hope we can figure out for those folks to start talking to each other and get along.”
Beumer had little to say on the topic, but agreed with Holdman that he would prefer Ritz and the board work out their problems without legislative intervention.
Both of the lawmakers also have issues they’ll be supporting come January, with Beumer focusing his efforts on unemployment.
He’s working on legislation to make it a requirement that those filing for unemployment take a skills assessment. The goal would be to then use those assessments to help with job placement and/or to assist workers in getting more job training.
“Our employers often tell us they have difficulty finding qualified workers,” said Beumer. “What better way to start the process than if someone … is receiving unemployment that we have a chance to assess their skills?”
Holdman’s key piece of legislation would require youth and high school football coaches in the state to undergo training to help prevent concussion injuries. He sponsored a similar piece of legislation last year, but it did not come to a vote.
“I have had honestly zero opposition from anyone on this issue,” Holdman said. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised that football coaches have been overwhelmingly supportive of this.”

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