By Bryan Corbin, Evansville Courier & Press
INDIANAPOLIS - Turnabout was fair play as the state Senate considered Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan to let local public construction projects be decided by voters in local referendums. An Evansville senator proposed that voters statewide decide state projects by referendum, too, an idea that was defeated.
During five hours of Senate debate on Daniels' property tax relief plan, House Bill 1001, senators offered numerous changes. As written, the plan calls for school construction, new jails and other capital projects in excess of $7 million to be approved by local voters. Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, proposed all state capital projects costing more than $25 million go to a statewide referendum, too. Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne, seemed taken aback by Becker's amendment.
"If (the University of Southern Indiana) had a project that was important to its campus, people in Gary and Fort Wayne would have to be voting on it, is that correct?" Long asked.
"That's correct," Becker answered.
"An amendment like this could very well hamper economic development for years to come," Long said.
"It's one where you might say what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Unfortunately with this one, the gander is getting his goose cooked," said Sen. Lindel Hume, D-Princeton. "I certainly understand the message, and I hope that you do too: Local officials know better what to do on the local level and are as responsible as we will ever be; and they should have that option without having to have a referendum, too."
If state projects went to statewide referendums, Becker said, "some projects would live and die on their own merits." Her amendment was defeated.
After numerous amendments to House Bill 1001, the property tax plan now is eligible for a conclusive vote in the Senate. If it passes there, it will go back to the Indiana House.