Déjà vu all over again – Sue Ellspermann
Week one of session and… it was “déjà vu all over again” as Yogi Berra would say. We showed up to our first General Assembly day on Wednesday, January 4 and had just three Democrats colleagues in the House withholding a quorum to do business.
I remain optimistic about this session and my Democrat colleagues for whom I have great respect. I know they believe they are supporting their constituents. However, I believe legislators are responsible to support all constituents, Republican and Democrat. Sometimes we will disagree. That is OK. Our goal should be to work through those differences productively.
Job creation is the top priority for this session. Right to Work (RTW) is one tool we could add with no cost to Hoosier taxpayers by providing increased wage expectations to Hoosier workers, new job opportunities to those who are unemployed and underemployed, and increased freedom to workers in Indiana. Though opponents would like you to think otherwise, I have strongly studied the implications to Hoosier workers… and the answer is simple. RTW states have delivered significantly more… three times in fact the number of new jobs of non-RTW states over the past 20 years while also increasing the wages of workers.
I will also be working hard to pass the Rural Entrepreneurship Tax Incentive Financing (RETIF) legislation I’ve authored. It would provide rural counties the opportunity to fund and support start-ups as rural counties would be allowed to retain state income taxes to fund incubators, small business support, revolving loan funds and other technical assistance to small businesses. This bill also incentivizes venture capital investment which is woefully needed in our rural communities. But, the first step to allow this bill to move forward is to have a quorum on the House floor.
Thank you to all who have completed my survey. For the rest, please submit it on-line or via mail as quickly as you can. If you’d like to complete it online, please visit my website at http://www.in.gov/H74 and follow the link on the top right side of the page. This is important feedback to help inform me on the District’s overall perspective. Your individual comments are also appreciated.
Enjoy this mild weather and thanks for your continued feedback and prayers as I work to represent Hoosiers in District 74.
Rep. District 74 Sue Ellspermann
Those of us who know Sue are very confident in her ability to provide objective analysis of any issue. "Special interest" isn't in her vocabulary and that's exactly why those that know her respect her judgement whether it falls in line with there own opinion or not. The personal attacks on her character speaks volumes about the strength of the argument of the opposition. Agree or not on the RTW issue, her representation of constituents best interest is not something that deserves attacking. Bauer and his supporters, who seem to have a fondness for Illinois, should take a look at the latest news on that States credit rating (just downgraded to the lowest in the nation, even behind CA). Citizenship provides each of us with privileges and there is no doubt each of us has the opportunity to hear our voices heard. I am only one, but am certainly proud to support Sue on her position on this critically important issue. Indiana's best days are ahead and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our three young sons.