When the Kernan-Shepard Commission released its report on how to streamline Indiana's local government, Gov. Mitch Daniels toured the state in an effort to curry favor. The people responded. The Legislature didn't.
The report made 27 specific recommendations. The vast majority still await action.
We are pleased to see that the governor, who created the Kernan-Shepard Commission, hasn't given up on having some of the changes enacted.
Daniels has eight planks in his proposal for the General Assembly when the session begins in early January.
In terms of local government, the governor mentioned two areas in a public statement:
* Eliminate nepotism and conflict of interest in local government.
* Abolish township boards and other outdated layers of government.
The Legislature has eliminated most of the state's township assessors. Larger townships were allowed to vote on whether to keep their assessors. Lake County's North Township, which includes Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, Munster and Highland, and Porter County's Center Township, which includes Valparaiso, eliminated their assessors.
There is much more to do.
Clearly, the sun will rise the next day if Indiana eliminated township trustees. At the least, the Legislature should eliminate the three-member township boards that serve to suck money out of the budgets and in many instances become rubber stamps for the trustees.
We also urge the Legislature to look hard at the recommendation that county government be reorganized with an elected county administrator as opposed to three county commissioners in charge.
The administrator would appoint most county officials, hopefully resulting in a higher calibre officeholders.
We realize changing government can be painful. But in the end, it is best for those paying the bill.