By MELISSA MOODY
Melissa.Moody@newsandtribune.com
April 11, 2008 12:21 pm
—
JEFFERSONVILLE — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson has big plans to reform Indiana. And she wants to start with the economy, high school graduation rates and counties that are falling behind the rest of the state and the country.
All three are tied to what Long Thompson calls the central issue — the economic future of the state.
“There’s no question (Gov.) Daniels is using a very short-term approach,” she said. “It’s like selling your farm to buy a combine.”
A major part of Long Thompson’s plan for economic improvement is creating a three-tiered system to dole out tax incentives to businesses throughout all of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Each county would be ranked in one of the three tiers, according to the unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and assessed property value per capita, with three representing the highest rated counties and one representing the lowest rated, and neediest, counties.
“Mitch Daniels’ one-size-fits-all strategy isn’t working for a number of areas in our state and the numbers prove it,” Long Thompson said. “Indiana has a number of communities — both rural and urban — that are experiencing high rates of unemployment and round after round of layoffs and factory closings.”
Employers in tier one counties would receive a $3,500 tax credit per new job created, as long as the employer creates at least five new jobs; offers employees health insurance and pays at least 50 percent of the of the premiums; pays above the average county wage; owes no back taxes; and hasn’t received a significant environmental violation notice from the state within the last five years.
Those employers would also receive a 7 percent tax credit for eligible business property expenditures.
Tier two counties would receive a $2,500 tax credit per new job with a requirement that 10 new jobs are created and get a 5 percent tax credit for eligible business property expenditures of more than $1 million.
Tier three counties would receive a $1,000 tax credit per new job with a requirement that 15 new jobs are created and get a 3.5 percent tax credit for eligible business property expenditures of more than $2 million.
“A three-tier approach would target tools and resources to counties that are hard-pressed,” Long Thompson said. “I believe it’s important to grow the economy without placing the burden on the backs of taxpayers.”
Another part of Long Thompson’s focus is on poor high school graduation rates in some parts of the state, she said.
“Getting kids through high school is not just important to those kids’ futures, but to the future of Indiana,” she said.
Long Thompson said if elected governor, she would reform how the state handles federal No Child Left Behind demands. She advocated for more flexibility for schools.
“Teaching has become way too focused on standardized tests,” she said. “We need flexibility to address individual needs.”
Vocational education is another element of education that needs to be “reinvested” around the state, as well as more parental involvement in schools, Long Thompson said.
“Not only will our young people graduate more, but they’ll be more prepared,” she said.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.