Q&A with State Senate District 48 candidates Mark Messmer and Jeff Hill

State Senate District 48 covers Perry, Crawford, Dubois, Spencer, Pike and Gibson counties.

Incumbent Senator Mark Messmer (Rep) has served since being elected in 2014.

Jeff Hill (Dem), a career law enforcement officer in Gibson County, currently serves as a police officer with the Oakland City Police Department.

Here are the questions. (All answers are as written by the candidates with light editing for grammar and layout.)

What issue or issues that will impact Dubois County or the region are the biggest priority for you? 

Messmer — One of the biggest issues facing our region is dealing with inmates in our county jails with mental health issues an developmental disabilities. Counties just are not able to deliver the types of programs these people need.

Hill — The Mid-States Corridor is one of the highest and running at a tie with proper funding of public education. The first one allows private money to influence certain infrastructure projects that will be paid for with state funds, the more money that falls towards a certain project by a private group or wealthy person, the tendency will be to lean towards them and not give the public a voice in this project. This corridor is a huge waste of tax dollars. Let’s improve the roads we have and not destroy farmland, forests, and wetlands and hurt small businesses.

Large amounts of money are spent for public education, but the education budget that was passed by the state legislators takes funds from local public schools and sends that money to the private schools north of this district to Marion and Lake Counties as an example, then what happens is counties such as Dubois and others in the 48th district fall short and forces to have referendums to raise local taxes, which no one wants to do but are forced to do. Just think, the legislators that are in office now are willing to send your tax dollars to a private school and are forcing you to pay, depending on your family size, hundreds of dollars in book rental and other necessary items for school.

To add to that, what piece of legislation are you making a priority that could impact Dubois County? 

Hill — In both examples above, the general public does not have a voice in this process on the taking of land by the state or how to spend dollars on schools. Current legislators have allowed private partnerships to influence the decision of their vote where the general public does not have a say so. We should let the majority speak, especially when it comes to the first two items that I have listed.

Messmer — I will be working with House members on setting up Regional Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that will be able to help people with mental health issues and keep them out of our county jails. Counties just are not able to deliver the types of programs these people need.

How do you gauge your constituents’ concerns?

Messmer — I stay connected to what my constituents are concerned with by being involved in the community and making myself available to the people I serve so they can talk to me in person. I routinely take phone calls and emails at home and work with requests to help constituents with problems they are having with state government.

Hill — You have to listen to them! Go see them! Talk to them! I plan on doing just that. You cannot base a decision on just one county. You have to ask yourself, in what way will this affect the whole district? I will hold public discussions and allow someone to speak on a concern they may have. If I have to meet with you privately, I will do just that.

In light of the interest in election security, what, if any, concerns do you have about the electoral process in Indiana?

Hill — I have no concerns on the process. I believe the process is secure, we have 92 county clerks in the state of Indiana, and I have no doubt that each clerk takes their job very serious.

Messmer — Indiana’s voting systems are secure. None of the voting machines in Indiana are connected to the internet. We changed the law a few years ago to require all electronic voting systems to provide a paper trail for verification of the votes cast.

What are your concerns regarding bipartisanship in the state house? How do you find political commonality in this current divisive culture? 

Messmer — In my 14 years in the General Assembly, the records show that the Indiana legislature works in a very bipartisan manner. In most sessions, around 95% of all 3rd reading votes cast are bipartisan, and 60-70% are unanimous. It is routine to have bipartisan authorship of most bills. I consider all of the Senate members, both Republican and Democrat, to be good friends and work hard at maintaining a good working relationship with them all.

Hill — There is bipartisanship somewhat, however, there could be more. The leaders set the tone for the whole session, whether it is in the House or in the Senate. You’re hoping that each legislator has the best interest of their constituents in mind, and each side should show some aspect of respect regardless of party affiliation. Remember, you are there to find common ground that benefits all.

What are your concerns for the future of Indiana, and how can the state legislature help mitigate those concerns? 

Hill — You have to be able to present and pass legislation that will improve the quality of life here in Indiana, and you must invest in the people of this state by making it easier to gain access to affordable housing, provide Indiana residents who have work visa’s to obtain driving cards and to have the opportunity to receive in-state tuition just as others are entitled to. Residents of Indiana should have adequate funding for public education also to include Pre-K and childcare as a part of education. We need to be able to attract and retain quality educators with a focus on competitive salaries and benefits and, lastly, affordable and quality healthcare for all residents of the Hoosier state. Currently, there are several counties in the state that do not have hospitals or doctors forcing residents to travel to obtain basic medical care. We must focus on healthcare for women and children due to the high infant and mortality rate in our state. 

Messmer — My biggest concern is to maintain our state’s competitiveness in creating jobs, either through growing existing businesses or attracting new ones. The State has to annually review our tax policy and other cost drivers that impact our economy and make changes as needed to stay competitive. We have to make sure our education system continues preparing our students for college or to go directly to the workforce and offer opportunities for both career paths.

What are your thoughts on the state legalizing marijuana? If not completely, then what about for medical use? 

Messmer — Fully legalizing marijuana is going to be difficult at the state level as long as the federal government considers it a Class 1 controlled substance. I would be open to listening to the debate on regulated medical marijuana use. There seems to be a lot of support for that across the state. There has also been discussion on changing possession of small amounts of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction.

Hill — I am torn on this one, being a member of law enforcement for several years; I have to look at facts and science to base a decision. For medicinal purposes, it has been proven effective to help cancer patients to combat pain and appetite issues. Cannabis has also been shown to improve some aspects of mental illness and other medical issues. Also, I can see the monetary benefits to the state if marijuana was to be legalized. It would offer relief to county jails and the court systems in the state. It should be taxed the same as tobacco or alcohol. There are currently laws on the books for driving under the influence. I would support the legalization of marijuana as long as the revenue was used wisely for public education, healthcare and affordable housing.

Would you support an Indiana Constitutional amendment to allow ballot measures by Indiana voters? 

Hill — I would support this. Obviously, not every issue can be on the ballot but large issues, such as the Mid-State Corridor, the taking of private land, farms, and the destruction of wood and wetlands and businesses for state use would be prime examples. Major changes of laws that would affect the citizen of the state as a whole can be put on the ballot. Being a public servant, you work at the wishes of the voters in your district, and it is your job to listen to them and be their voice, so they feel that they are a part of the process.

Messmer — No. We live in a representative republic that applies to the local, state and federal level. Our founding fathers studied the history of other nations attempts at self-government in the past and learned that direct democracy is very volatile and an unstable form of government and why our government is set up as a representative republic. Ballot initiatives are direct democracy.