March 16, 2008 07:06 pm
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On reducing local government:
The Indiana General Assembly began work in January with two major tasks before it. Priority number one was overhauling the property tax system, and it now appears likely that legislators will complete work by Friday’s deadline on some version of tax reform.
But what of job number two — adopting steps to dramatically reduce the size and related expense of local governments? On that score, the General Assembly’s progress has been less than satisfactory.
The Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform, led by former Gov. Joe Kernan and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard, in December issued 27 recommendations designed to eliminate unnecessary layers of government, improve services and save taxpayers money. Commission members urged state leaders to enact the reforms with “all due haste.”
But lawmakers have largely ignored pleas to act swiftly and boldly — a call issued not just by the reform commission but also top business and academic leaders.
Why is local government reform so critical for Indiana? It points back to job number one: property tax reform. Unless heightened efficiency, better transparency and more accountability are brought to local government operations, then any property tax plan that emerges from the General Assembly this week could provide only temporary relief.
– The Indianapolis Star
On math and science scholars:
Gov. Mitch Daniels makes a good point: Indiana recognizes its best athletes each year. Why not recognize its top scholars?
Starting this year, it will.
Daniels unveiled plans to present the inaugural Hoosier High School Math and Science Awards this spring.
Students can nominate themselves, but teachers, principals and other school staff members can also make nominations. Application criteria will include such information as SAT, ACT and advanced placement scores, awards and prizes as well as grades received in math and science.
Mr. or Miss Math and Science will be selected each year by a committee of high school math and science teachers, curriculum experts from the Indiana Department of Education and the governor’s office.
The impetus for these new awards should be obvious.
After generations as a major industrial center, Indiana has been struggling in recent years to find its place in the new economy. It trails other states in terms of the level of education of its residents, and many of its college graduates wind up leaving the state to find jobs.
Clearly, Indiana must do more to raise its profile as a state that values academic achievement. Recognizing its top math and science students is a step in the right direction.
– Pharos-Tribune, Logansport
On school cuts:
The Indianapolis Public Schools system recently decided to let go 15 administrators as a way to start reducing costs. The cuts include principals and program directors, clearly positions that will be rolled into other duties.
The savings is a public announcement that the district is trying to do what it can in anticipation of property tax reform by the Indiana General Assembly.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has promised $1 billion relief in property taxes. Most of that will come by eliminating school operating costs, which sent superintendents into a panic mode. And rightfully so.
Let’s shift focus, however, to the December release of a report to streamline government from the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform. Among its recommendations was the reorganization of school districts to achieve a minimum student population of 2,000. It also urged joint purchasing by schools.
We’re well aware that Hoosiers despise consolidation of school districts. But all of us must also be aware that school districts are going to be strapped in coming years. There will be some areas in Indiana where school districts will have to consolidate, likely in rural areas where countywide districts might form.
Now is the time to begin discussions to consider combining operations. We want the conversations to begin.
– The Herald Bulletin, Anderson
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