State Tax Update Archive
[2003 - 2004] [2002 and Older]

Shopping for Votes at cost Taxpayers (David Kralik)

This past August, interim Attorney General Karen Freeman-Wilson (D-IN) distributed shopping bags at public events like the State Fair so that passers by might take a bag and place useful information collected from other information booths.  Taxpayers footed the bill for these bags, which were empty and contained no literature on the Attorney General's office or its responsibilities. Ironically enough the bags also had her name and campaign slogan printed on them.

 Freeman-Wilson says the funds were taken from a discretionary fund to help educate Hoosiers but investigations shown otherwise.  Actually, the money

came from an account that is statutorily restricted for enforcement of odometer laws and co-mingled funds for other purposes.  The total cost for the 11,000 bags was $11,000 with an extra $1,000 to "rush" the order.

 A similar shenanigan to boast statewide name recognition was used earlier this year when Freeman-Wilson spent taxpayer money for full-page ads in select newspapers with a high circulation announcing information about unclaimed property.  A picture of her face also accompanied the large taxpayer funded full-page ads. Usually, such ads are printed in the "public notice" section of a newspaper at a significantly less cost.

 One would hope that the state's top law enforcement officer would have more common sense than this.  The Non-partisan State Examiner has called the practice into question and Freeman Wilson has still refused to reimburse taxpayers with funds from her campaign.

 Taxes - One of Biggest Issues on Ballot

On the November 7 ballot voters in 42 states will have more to decide than their representation in the White House, Congress and Legislature, they will have to decide on 205 ballot initiatives.  One of the biggest issues facing voters in the voting booth is taxes.  There are about 30 initiatives on the ballot relating to taxes.  Several states have initiatives that could make a big impact on taxpayers.  In Oregon voters are being asked if they would like their federal taxes fully deductible from their state taxes instead of the current $3000 limit.  In Colorado voters are being asked to decide if they want their utility, telephone, pagers, cable television, gas and electric services, motor vehicle registrations, state income and local property taxes to be reduced by $25 dollars each year until they are gone.  Those are just a couple of the many tax related initiatives voters will decide on Tuesday.   In Arizona, voters are being asked to decide if they want to raise their state sales tax to 5.6% from 5% to increase education spending.  This measure was put on the ballot by the state legislature under the direction of Governor Jane Dee Hull.  Washington state's voters will be voting to cap their property taxes at a maximum 2% per year or inflation, whichever is lower. 

In California, voters are deciding on Proposition 39.  Prop 39 would authorize bonds for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities if approved by 55% vote for projects evaluated by schools, community college districts, county education offices for safety, class size, and information technology needs. It would also authorize property taxes in excess of 1% limit by 55% vote, rather than current two-thirds, as necessary to pay school bonds. This proposition would destroy the bases that Propositions 13 and 218 created by making it easier to raise taxes.  ATR opposes Prop 39.

Governor Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) named an "Enemy"

Gov. Shaheen, once considered a Vice Presidential candidate is struggling to retain her gubernatorial seat in New Hampshire against former Senator Gordon Humphrey (R).  On Wednesday night the two squared off in a final debate and she shocked voters by saying that as governor she would ensure that "New Hampshire residents still pay the lowest taxes in New England."