RSS
Home
District 17 meets the candidates
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Tuesday night the citizens of Indiana's Senate District 17 got to hear from the candidates. Huntington County Commissioner Tom Wall, Coffee D'Vine owner Ron Fusselman, and Whitley County Councilman Jim Banks faced off in a debate at Huntington University. The event was sponsored by HuntingtonPolitics (www.HuntingtonPolitics.com) and was moderated by Gary Snyder.
The candidates were allowed a two minute introduction and then Gary started the questions. Questions to the candidates came from both the moderator as well as residents that were in attendance.
The first question was about campaign financing and the allowance by the candidates for PAC and special interest money. Tom wall and Jim Banks both gave the thumbs up for the donations, but Ron Fusselman said that in no manner would he take that sort of donation. He went on to say, that he would also reject business donations stating that he would only take donations from individuals , since that is who would place him in office.
The idea of term limits was also discussed. Mr. Banks states that he would refuse term limits because he felt the longer a person held an office, the more influence they would acquire. Mr. Fusselman said that he believed in limits and would limit himself to only two terms in the office. Mr. Wall also agreed with term limits, although not specifying how long he would remain in office if elected.
With the idea of a casino being placed in the Fort Wayne area, each candidate was asked there opinion on gambling in North East Indiana. All three opposed the idea, citing various reasons. The reasons extended from personal belief to the influx of a criminal element.
The state asked a review by an independent panel about the reduction of county employees. one suggestion was the removal of townships and trustees. All three candidates opposed the idea. The greatest statement on this came from candidate Wall. He reminded those ion attendance, that the township trustee holds to vital functions. One being the control of township volunteer fire departments and financial relief to the poor in their respect boundaries. A second part of the question was how do you get more of the funding into the hands of the needy in townships. All the candidates agreed that it came down to responsibility. One a follow up, it was noted, that House Bill 1001 called for property tax caps. Candidate Wall disagreed with the caps stating their unconstitutionality. The other two candidate s agreed with the caps, saying that it would be a way to stop over taxation.
Economic development became an issue that all three would place a voice in. Two questions came to forefront. One was about getting industry into Indiana, the second was how to accomplish that goal during the recession. Mr. Wall stated that funding need to get to the development boards and that all the boards in the district need to work together. He also noted that, for the future, there needs to be a solid infrastructure as an enticement for future industry. Mr. Banks pointed out that urban areas get more development funding than the rural areas. He also went on to say that, for future development, Indiana ranks 49 out of 50. His proposal was to implement right to work laws, adjust taxes, and come into the situation with a development mindset. Mr. Fusselman brought it all down to taxes. He said we need to reduce the tax burdens, allow the local areas (not the government) decide who gets incentives, and become the lowest tax state in the country.
Education also came on board. It was agreed that testing mandates should be removed, allowing teachers to teach not just ready students for a test. Make sure the majority of the funding goes toward the classroom and less toward administrative costs.
All candidates agreed that, state sovereignty should trump federal mandates. Mr. Wall pointed out, that many times, the federal government mandates projects without funding. This then puts a financial problem on the entity that was mandated.
The candidates were asked about their personal ideas of what a Senator was and what they hoped to accomplish during their first term. Mr. Wall said, that as a freshman senator, he planned on making himself heard. His belief is that a Senator should work directly with the citizens of the district and their needs must be heard on the Senate floor. Mr. Banks said his role would be as an advocate for the people of the district and that his main goal for the first term would be in the field of education. Mr. Fusselman admitted that there would be things he wouldn't know or understand. But he would deal with those that could give him the best answer for his constituents, be a hard voice in the needs of the people, and place more money into the hands of the voters by reducing government where he could.
The candidates and attendees were thanked and a thanks went to www.HoosierAccess.com for the live webcast of the debate.
District 17 Debate
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
