The ink was barely dry on the Kernan-Shepard Commission government reform report and local officials were trashing it as "unattainable" and "an uphill battle."
That's not surprising when you're in danger of losing your job.
The reform report is all about modernizing and finding efficiencies in government at the local level. Consolidation and streamlining won't necessarily save tons of money and the Kernan-Shepard report doesn't talk about cost savings, which makes it ripe for criticism.
However, there are many solid recommendations that deserve fair and thorough consideration. Among them are going from a three-member board of commissioners to a single county executive, making many currently elected county positions professional appointed jobs, eliminating township government and consolidating small school systems and libraries.
It's important that legislators keep an open mind about the reforms and not dismiss them, as state Rep. Craig Fry, D-Mishawaka, did in a recent story in The Truth. "I can't see me voting for this in any way, shape or form," he said.
That's not an unexpected reaction, however. Legislators of both parties protect their own and the government reform plan offered by the Kernan-Shepard Commission proposes the elimination of thousands of elected positions -- local-level jobs held by members of both parties throughout the state.
We urge Gov. Mitch Daniels and legislative leaders to have hearings throughout the state to determine how average Hoosiers feel about the reform proposals. We also encourage local legislators to have town-hall style meetings throughout their districts to gauge support.
In addition, local government officials must be open to doing things differently. This report isn't a personal reflection on them or their ability to govern. It's about running Indiana cities, towns and counties more efficiently. Ultimately, that will impact people's property taxes.
If you support the streamlining and simplification of government, you can make this happen. You can lobby your local officials and state legislators through phone calls, e-mail, letters and visits. You can talk to them in person when they are at home. And if they don't listen to what you have to say, the entire Indiana House and part of the Senate is up for re-election in 2008, as are some county offices. You can simply vote to replace them with candidates who do listen to what you have to say -- candidates who are willing to move Indiana government beyond the 1850s.