Responding (10/25/04)

For the past week or so, reading the letters to the editor section of The Commercial Review might lead a person to believe that either Ron Liggett has few supporters who read and respond to issues presented in the paper, or else his supporters do not care what happens in the upcoming election. I do not believe either of these conclusions is accurate.

That being said, one could almost believe that supporters of Bill Davis, Liggett’s opponent, have organized a letter writing campaign which seeks to attack Liggett for what he has done or hasn’t, while at the same time suggesting strongly that Davis would, if elected, do very much better as our representative for District 33.

Organizing a letter writing effort is obviously perfectly fair and legal, though probably one-sided. Organizers of such a campaign probably hope it will seem spontaneous, but most readers likely understand there is a plan in the background.

Sometimes, unfortunately, when on a roll, either at the keyboard or typewriter, or at the podium, the candidate or his supporters may make allegations or draw certain conclusions in the heat of the moment which do not honestly reflect the realities of the situation. I believe the conflict over the so-called 46 percent gas tax increase is just an example.

Ron Liggett told me recently that he voted on two gas tax increases, and obviously these votes are a matter of public record at the Statehouse. The first vote was a “yes” vote on HB 1317, which Liggett wrote, providing a one cent per gallon increase for the state and one cent per gallon increase for local government. Liggett voted for the bill, and it passed. It then went on to the Senate, where with bipartisan support, including that of Sen. (Allen) Paul (Dist. 27, R-Richmond), it was amended to call for a seven cents per gallon increase.

Since the bill was amended by the Senate, it was returned for House approval of the amended version and a second vote. Liggett believed the seven cents per gallon was excessive and more than Hoosiers should be forced to pay, so he killed the bill.

In the Indiana House of Representatives’ first special session of 2002, a compromise bill, HB 1001, was introduced.

The bill provided a three cents per gallon increase, and Liggett voted “no” on that bill, partly because it mandated that two-thirds of the revenue stayed with the state, rather than the usual split, which provided 50 percent to the state and 50 percent returned to the local district.

It should be clear to anyone who cares to notice, that Ron Liggett did not support or vote for a gas tax increase of seven cents per gallon, nor for a 46 percent increase in our gas tax. To suggest otherwise is to further spread a falsehood and is unfair and irresponsible.

Glen E. Priest

Portland

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