July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Ready for a rematch (10/30/06)
By By JACK RONALD-
The lines are clearly drawn in the District 33 race for state representative, with incumbent Republican Bill Davis and the man he ousted from office two years ago, Democrat Ron Liggett, taking virtually opposite positions on issue after issue.
The two sat down for separate interviews with The Commercial Review last week, touching on most of the hot-button issues facing voters in the Nov. 7 general election.
Davis, 58, Portland, is coming off his first term in the Indiana House, where he has been a visible and vocal ally of Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Liggett, 61, Redkey, served 12 years in the Indiana General Assembly before losing to Davis in a high-profile campaign in 2004 that saw campaign contributions of nearly $1 million pour in as the two parties battled for control of the House.
Here they are, in their own words, on some of the issues voters are talking about.
The closing of license branches and the general state of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles:
Davis - "Nobody liked it. Nobody liked the way it happened. I didn't like the way it happened. I didn't like when it happened. For the director of the BMV to wait until the day after legislators left town, I thought was unfair. That being said, I also have a philosophical belief that the legislature is not there to run the day to day operations of the state of Indiana. ... The day to day operations have to be left in the hands of the administration. At the point that it happened, there wasn't really anything anyone could do but complain. We made our complaints known.
"From a district standpoint we lost branches ... in Parker City and Dunkirk. They wanted to close Albany. It was on the 'close' list. I was successful in working with the community there in making our claim that there was enough business at that branch (and Parker City and Dunkirk were going to close) there would even be additional business and that branch could stay open....
"It was one of only three branches in the state that were kept open after they were put on that list....From that standpoint, I think we did all that we could do."
Liggett - "I had spent two years on the Bureau of Motor Vehicles study committee, and we had addressed two issues, how to modernize and computerize the system. We had accomplished cross-county motor vehicle registration, a longer length of time the license plate could be used on an automobile. We tried to remove the barriers to good service. Then as soon as the governor was elected, the decision was made...to eliminate service over whole areas. Having served on that committee, I obviously knew that wasn't the cost-saving measure it was suggested it was....
"Having worked with the BMV to help them upgrade their computer system and comparing them to other states, we had the knowledge back then that what they've done with computerization would take a lot of time. You couldn't do it over night. The biggest disappointment was there was supposed to be separation of powers. I was really disappointed that no one in the General Assembly objected to the closings.
"They had recommended we use insurance agencies and automobile dealerships. We had met with those people when we reviewed the BMV, and they were strongly in opposition to that because of the cost of the staff, the cost of security, the problem they would have with it interfering with their customers at the dealerships. That's what first made me take a new look whether I wanted to run for election again....
"I don't object to privatization, but when we passed a privatization bill it required that before the administration subcontracted out of state or out of country or privatized anything that they do cost analysis first. That bill also provided for public bidding....
"We need to re-evaluate the service (at the BMV) to our customers right now. The waiting time at the BMV's 58 minutes. We need to look at whether it's practical and in the best interests of those we serve to re-open some of those branches. Or in Albany's case to make them a full-time branch.
"The administration said when they closed them they were going to save $7.5 million for all the 28 branches. While saying that, they raised fees....Do we want to serve the rural areas or do we want to put the computerized BMV stations in the Circle Center Mall?...
"It's my opinion that they're not in business to make a profit, so as long as their income, their fees that we pay for service, is sufficient enough to pay for the operation of that branch, re-opening should be considered."
Gov. Daniels' Major Moves program, which has leased the Indiana Toll Road to a private consortium in exchange for $3.85 billion to be used on state highway construction:
Davis - "We hear more of it being an issue in northern Indiana now along the toll road. There are still people here in central Indiana who don't care for it because of the 'foreign element.' Now I will say one of those two groups that went together sold their share to a New York investment group, so there is American involvement....
"There was an outside analysis made of the toll road. We had people look at what the advantages and disadvantages would be of us running the toll road vs. someone else. What we found out was they offered twice the amount of money that we could take in operating ourselves.
"We took $3.85 billion up front vs. $1.9 billion over a 75-year period. And what that allowed us to do was to fund a gap - a ten-year $2 billion gap in our highway program - that would could pay for in today's dollars. If you take into effect the rate of inflation, you can see we can construct a lot more infrastructure in today's dollars...
"This filled that $2 billion gap, and as it turned out when it turned out to be $3.85 billion, then it allowed us to build actually more projects than what we'd originally counted on. And it allowed us to put $500 million in a trust fund. We'll take the interest off that every five years to go into our normal highway fund, so there will be a lot less need to raise gas taxes or look for alternative ways to pay for highways....
"The $150 million that came back to local counties came back to local counties because...I went to the governor and said, 'This is not fair.'... And he agreed with that and put $150 million in the bill....But is it enough? No. My hope is that with that interest we're drawing there's going to be an opportunity to get more money for local units of government."
Liggett - "Number one, paying $15 million for a finder's fee to Chase out of New York without any legislative oversight, plus an additional $5-$6 million in attorneys' fees was simply wrong.
"Number two, if we do a cost analysis and run a comparison of the fiscal income that the foreign consortium pursuant to the lease agreement be allowed to charge, the state could have raised those fees in an equal amount to what the consortium's going to do, could have $3.8 billion in bonding, could have paid off the bonds in 12 years, re-bonded, went through an additional 12 years, re-bonded. So really, to me, what Major Moves did was give away billions of dollars for generations to come.
"I think this is a classic example of where I think there needs to be separation of power, where the General Assembly should set up privatization guidelines."
The switch to Daylight Saving Time:
Davis - "There are those who have said (they can live with it), there are those who love it...Then there are those who...concerned (about whether the sun is directly over head at noon), and those folks will ever feel any differently about it....
"Maybe it's Daylight Saving Time, maybe it's Major Moves, but whatever it is, we're starting to create jobs. Our median income is starting to go up. ...That's our goal to make sure that we in Indiana catch up with the rest of the country."
Liggett - "Those that talk to me are very strongly opposed to it and feel there should have been a statewide referendum. I know all the polling that we did when I was in the General Assembly, 80 to 85 percent were opposed. That was just a reality....The sentiment I get from the people...is the vast majority don't like it."
The rapid growth of confined animal feeding operations in east central Indiana:
Davis - "I think that the counties have got it right. Both Jay and Randolph counties have hired outside consultants to help them look at many of these issues....We have offered from the state department of agriculture to help both counties to come up with a good land use plan...
"I don't believe it serves the state of Indiana or this district to shut out businesses to stop progress in whatever sector. The agricultural sector in the state of Indiana and Jay and Randolph counties in particular is a very large piece of our economy. And we say to people around the country when we talk about moratoriums that we are not interested in additional business. And I don't know that that serves us well in doing that....
"We need to find common ground where we can all work together....I don't think a moratorium is the answer."
Liggett - "I think they've been a big issue for two years....(Two years ago) we found that where there are major concentrations of CAFOs, there has been very severe negative impact on the quality of life in the community, the quality of air, the quality of water....
"The American Public Health Association had urged a moratorium, so before there were even any candidates in the election two years ago, based upon the information I had my recommendation....was that we put in place a moratorium either at the local or the state level, so that our zoning could be implemented. The state would have to decide on their air quality standards, construction specifications, whether open or closed lagoons, the application of manure. So, I know this is of concern to a lot of CAFO owners, but it's also of concern to the general public.
"We don't want to continue to build, build, build without knowing and without having standards set up by local leaders through the state....
"Other states have implemented moratoriums, and I know of no legal challenges on this issue....
"I guess what we have to decide - and when I say 'we' I mean whether it's local government or state government - is do we build without setting any standards and pay for the environmental impact later or set reasonable standards before allowing a large influx of CAFOs into the area. And I'm convinced it will be a large influx."
Your own top legislative priorities for the next session of the Indiana General Assembly:
Davis - "We have to continue to work on economic growth. Because oft the huge impact of the automotive industry in our part of the state we continue to try to find ways to replace (those jobs). We need to look at regional development. What we have to offer to businesses and industries is probably better on a regional basis and we can have strength in numbers.
"We need do more in small business development. I believe we have a real gap in venture capital for small business. I would like to propose some legislation to help those folks."
Liggett - "Fiscal accountability before we privatize, complete with cost analysis. Number two, a priority of mine that I hope to continue is to make sure rural eastern Indiana, when it comes to the school funding formula, is treated fairly....
"Compared to formulas I participated in and had some input in, when I look at the formulas in the last biennial budget, they strongly favored suburban areas of Indianapolis like Carmel and Fishers. Inner-city and rural communities really took a hit."
Points of pride during your term in office in the Indiana House:
Davis - "I co-authored legislation for renewable fuels for our state...that eventually led to tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel that will do a number of things. Number one it will allow investment in rural Indiana that we've not had the ability to capture. Two, it will put people to work in good-paying, high technology jobs. Three, it will take us away from our dependence on oil from foreign places and allow our farmers to enjoy a market that should be on the upswing."
Liggett - "I think my point of pride is listening to the people and taking their ideas to the Indiana General Assembly.
"There was a worker at Indiana Glass who had his leg severed at the knee. It was covered under Worker's Compensation. But one of the things he felt was important, and I agreed with him, was that once his (prosthetic) leg wore out, which at that time was eight years, he would have to pay out of his pocket...an enormous amount to have the artificial limb replacement....So we were able to get that law changed."[[In-content Ad]]
The two sat down for separate interviews with The Commercial Review last week, touching on most of the hot-button issues facing voters in the Nov. 7 general election.
Davis, 58, Portland, is coming off his first term in the Indiana House, where he has been a visible and vocal ally of Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Liggett, 61, Redkey, served 12 years in the Indiana General Assembly before losing to Davis in a high-profile campaign in 2004 that saw campaign contributions of nearly $1 million pour in as the two parties battled for control of the House.
Here they are, in their own words, on some of the issues voters are talking about.
The closing of license branches and the general state of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles:
Davis - "Nobody liked it. Nobody liked the way it happened. I didn't like the way it happened. I didn't like when it happened. For the director of the BMV to wait until the day after legislators left town, I thought was unfair. That being said, I also have a philosophical belief that the legislature is not there to run the day to day operations of the state of Indiana. ... The day to day operations have to be left in the hands of the administration. At the point that it happened, there wasn't really anything anyone could do but complain. We made our complaints known.
"From a district standpoint we lost branches ... in Parker City and Dunkirk. They wanted to close Albany. It was on the 'close' list. I was successful in working with the community there in making our claim that there was enough business at that branch (and Parker City and Dunkirk were going to close) there would even be additional business and that branch could stay open....
"It was one of only three branches in the state that were kept open after they were put on that list....From that standpoint, I think we did all that we could do."
Liggett - "I had spent two years on the Bureau of Motor Vehicles study committee, and we had addressed two issues, how to modernize and computerize the system. We had accomplished cross-county motor vehicle registration, a longer length of time the license plate could be used on an automobile. We tried to remove the barriers to good service. Then as soon as the governor was elected, the decision was made...to eliminate service over whole areas. Having served on that committee, I obviously knew that wasn't the cost-saving measure it was suggested it was....
"Having worked with the BMV to help them upgrade their computer system and comparing them to other states, we had the knowledge back then that what they've done with computerization would take a lot of time. You couldn't do it over night. The biggest disappointment was there was supposed to be separation of powers. I was really disappointed that no one in the General Assembly objected to the closings.
"They had recommended we use insurance agencies and automobile dealerships. We had met with those people when we reviewed the BMV, and they were strongly in opposition to that because of the cost of the staff, the cost of security, the problem they would have with it interfering with their customers at the dealerships. That's what first made me take a new look whether I wanted to run for election again....
"I don't object to privatization, but when we passed a privatization bill it required that before the administration subcontracted out of state or out of country or privatized anything that they do cost analysis first. That bill also provided for public bidding....
"We need to re-evaluate the service (at the BMV) to our customers right now. The waiting time at the BMV's 58 minutes. We need to look at whether it's practical and in the best interests of those we serve to re-open some of those branches. Or in Albany's case to make them a full-time branch.
"The administration said when they closed them they were going to save $7.5 million for all the 28 branches. While saying that, they raised fees....Do we want to serve the rural areas or do we want to put the computerized BMV stations in the Circle Center Mall?...
"It's my opinion that they're not in business to make a profit, so as long as their income, their fees that we pay for service, is sufficient enough to pay for the operation of that branch, re-opening should be considered."
Gov. Daniels' Major Moves program, which has leased the Indiana Toll Road to a private consortium in exchange for $3.85 billion to be used on state highway construction:
Davis - "We hear more of it being an issue in northern Indiana now along the toll road. There are still people here in central Indiana who don't care for it because of the 'foreign element.' Now I will say one of those two groups that went together sold their share to a New York investment group, so there is American involvement....
"There was an outside analysis made of the toll road. We had people look at what the advantages and disadvantages would be of us running the toll road vs. someone else. What we found out was they offered twice the amount of money that we could take in operating ourselves.
"We took $3.85 billion up front vs. $1.9 billion over a 75-year period. And what that allowed us to do was to fund a gap - a ten-year $2 billion gap in our highway program - that would could pay for in today's dollars. If you take into effect the rate of inflation, you can see we can construct a lot more infrastructure in today's dollars...
"This filled that $2 billion gap, and as it turned out when it turned out to be $3.85 billion, then it allowed us to build actually more projects than what we'd originally counted on. And it allowed us to put $500 million in a trust fund. We'll take the interest off that every five years to go into our normal highway fund, so there will be a lot less need to raise gas taxes or look for alternative ways to pay for highways....
"The $150 million that came back to local counties came back to local counties because...I went to the governor and said, 'This is not fair.'... And he agreed with that and put $150 million in the bill....But is it enough? No. My hope is that with that interest we're drawing there's going to be an opportunity to get more money for local units of government."
Liggett - "Number one, paying $15 million for a finder's fee to Chase out of New York without any legislative oversight, plus an additional $5-$6 million in attorneys' fees was simply wrong.
"Number two, if we do a cost analysis and run a comparison of the fiscal income that the foreign consortium pursuant to the lease agreement be allowed to charge, the state could have raised those fees in an equal amount to what the consortium's going to do, could have $3.8 billion in bonding, could have paid off the bonds in 12 years, re-bonded, went through an additional 12 years, re-bonded. So really, to me, what Major Moves did was give away billions of dollars for generations to come.
"I think this is a classic example of where I think there needs to be separation of power, where the General Assembly should set up privatization guidelines."
The switch to Daylight Saving Time:
Davis - "There are those who have said (they can live with it), there are those who love it...Then there are those who...concerned (about whether the sun is directly over head at noon), and those folks will ever feel any differently about it....
"Maybe it's Daylight Saving Time, maybe it's Major Moves, but whatever it is, we're starting to create jobs. Our median income is starting to go up. ...That's our goal to make sure that we in Indiana catch up with the rest of the country."
Liggett - "Those that talk to me are very strongly opposed to it and feel there should have been a statewide referendum. I know all the polling that we did when I was in the General Assembly, 80 to 85 percent were opposed. That was just a reality....The sentiment I get from the people...is the vast majority don't like it."
The rapid growth of confined animal feeding operations in east central Indiana:
Davis - "I think that the counties have got it right. Both Jay and Randolph counties have hired outside consultants to help them look at many of these issues....We have offered from the state department of agriculture to help both counties to come up with a good land use plan...
"I don't believe it serves the state of Indiana or this district to shut out businesses to stop progress in whatever sector. The agricultural sector in the state of Indiana and Jay and Randolph counties in particular is a very large piece of our economy. And we say to people around the country when we talk about moratoriums that we are not interested in additional business. And I don't know that that serves us well in doing that....
"We need to find common ground where we can all work together....I don't think a moratorium is the answer."
Liggett - "I think they've been a big issue for two years....(Two years ago) we found that where there are major concentrations of CAFOs, there has been very severe negative impact on the quality of life in the community, the quality of air, the quality of water....
"The American Public Health Association had urged a moratorium, so before there were even any candidates in the election two years ago, based upon the information I had my recommendation....was that we put in place a moratorium either at the local or the state level, so that our zoning could be implemented. The state would have to decide on their air quality standards, construction specifications, whether open or closed lagoons, the application of manure. So, I know this is of concern to a lot of CAFO owners, but it's also of concern to the general public.
"We don't want to continue to build, build, build without knowing and without having standards set up by local leaders through the state....
"Other states have implemented moratoriums, and I know of no legal challenges on this issue....
"I guess what we have to decide - and when I say 'we' I mean whether it's local government or state government - is do we build without setting any standards and pay for the environmental impact later or set reasonable standards before allowing a large influx of CAFOs into the area. And I'm convinced it will be a large influx."
Your own top legislative priorities for the next session of the Indiana General Assembly:
Davis - "We have to continue to work on economic growth. Because oft the huge impact of the automotive industry in our part of the state we continue to try to find ways to replace (those jobs). We need to look at regional development. What we have to offer to businesses and industries is probably better on a regional basis and we can have strength in numbers.
"We need do more in small business development. I believe we have a real gap in venture capital for small business. I would like to propose some legislation to help those folks."
Liggett - "Fiscal accountability before we privatize, complete with cost analysis. Number two, a priority of mine that I hope to continue is to make sure rural eastern Indiana, when it comes to the school funding formula, is treated fairly....
"Compared to formulas I participated in and had some input in, when I look at the formulas in the last biennial budget, they strongly favored suburban areas of Indianapolis like Carmel and Fishers. Inner-city and rural communities really took a hit."
Points of pride during your term in office in the Indiana House:
Davis - "I co-authored legislation for renewable fuels for our state...that eventually led to tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel that will do a number of things. Number one it will allow investment in rural Indiana that we've not had the ability to capture. Two, it will put people to work in good-paying, high technology jobs. Three, it will take us away from our dependence on oil from foreign places and allow our farmers to enjoy a market that should be on the upswing."
Liggett - "I think my point of pride is listening to the people and taking their ideas to the Indiana General Assembly.
"There was a worker at Indiana Glass who had his leg severed at the knee. It was covered under Worker's Compensation. But one of the things he felt was important, and I agreed with him, was that once his (prosthetic) leg wore out, which at that time was eight years, he would have to pay out of his pocket...an enormous amount to have the artificial limb replacement....So we were able to get that law changed."[[In-content Ad]]
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