A weekend of JILLCORPS

Jill's supporters took to the streets this weekend to help solve the problems left by an indifferent Daniels Administration.

Friday afternoon, JILLCORPS members gathered at the Eastside Community Center in Columbus to deliver meals to those in need.  The Eastside Community Center has been delivering hundreds of meals each day since the June floods ravaged Columbus.  Entire neighborhoods in parts of Indiana still lack clean water and widespread damage remains.

On Saturday, Jill supporters gathered in Indianapolis' Far Eastside at the site of the May 30th tornado to pick up trash and debris along the 42nd Street Corridor. Months after the tornado, debris remains strewn about the neighborhood.  In a neighborhood already plagued by gang violence and drugs, the tornado was a devastating blow.  Dilapidated buildings remain and continue to decay.  Violence and drugs move in when people move out due to storm damage.

While Mitch was quick to have his picture taken with victims, the State has not provided the means for these affected communities to recover.  When natural disasters hit, we need leadership that goes beyond photo ops.  We must work with the federal government to make sure that funds reach residents and local governments, enabling communities to rise from disaster -- and, as Governor, Jill will do just that.

Sincerely,
Loren

Debate watching in Anderson

The city of Anderson has been hit hard by Mitch Daniels' failed promises to bring jobs into the state.  Once a booming industry town, Anderson has seen jobs leave as factories move their business overseas and to neighboring states.  There is a strong presence of Jill supporters in here -- Anderson is fed up with Mitch Daniels and his inability to bring jobs to this once productive town.

 

Jill supporters met last night at Ollie D's Family Restaurant to watch the debate and discuss their thoughts on today's economy.  As drawn into the debate as I was, I could not help but listen as my fellow supporters commented.  Anderson residents are involved and they are paying attention.  I was so impressed by the knowledge of those around me and learned as much from them as I did from the debate. 

 

When Jill mentioned that Indiana is only one of seven states that has a gas tax, Jill supporter Julia Lewis noted that Indiana's fuel taxes are also the largest among those seven.

 

When talking about Mitch Daniels' plans to do away with local governments and replace them with centralized and distant executives, members of the county council who were present expressed their disappointment in Mitch Daniels and how he has once again failed to see the importance of county and city government.  They were concerned that if those roles were consolidated to just one person, community voices would no longer be heard.  These are members of the community who sincerely care for the betterment of the people they represent and they want a governor who supports and works for the people and with the people, not against them.   That is why they are supporting Jill Long Thompson.

 

Every day I have the opportunity to meet and work alongside members of the community who have a passion to see this state grow.  I feel so lucky that I have the chance to listen and learn from people who are involved and taking action.

 

Sincerely,

Jillian 

Jasper Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 5

It seems that Mitch Daniels, more than believing that he’s right, likes telling other people that they’re wrong.

(Did anyone else notice “the man of the people” talking down to everyone?)

Another statement that set off my “bull” detector—Daniels claims he is part of a group of outsiders?

In reality, Daniels is the consummate political insider. He has served in various capacities in Indianapolis and Washington government, including the Bush Administration, where he constructed the largest deficit in history.

To sum up Gov. Daniels’ performance in tonight’s debate:  Anger. Bitterness.  Claims of results containing little reality.

Hoosiers deserve an honest discussion about the challenges facing our state, and a leader who will bring back opportunity to all 92 counties.

Let’s turn this ship around and take Indiana in a new direction.  JLT 2008. 

Jasper Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 4

The Indiana Toll Road a “slam dunk success?”  -Mitch Daniels

Maybe for the Spanish-Australian consortium.

JLT is right, the leasing of the Toll Road was a bad deal for Hoosiers.  A foreign company received a bargain, at the expense of our state.  In fact, they will recoup their investment in roughly 15-20 years—that means for the next 55-60, profit that should stay right here in the Hoosier state will be shipped overseas.

Not to mention that since being sold, tolls have more than doubled, wait times have increased, and upkeep has been questionable, at best.

Jasper Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 3

The Governor is denying that Hoosiers are hurting from his privatization of FSSA, and refusing to accept any responsibility for their struggles. 

Reality check, please.

The fact is, the Governor has sold our social services to a private company, cut services, and turned his backs on our neediest Hoosiers in the name of “saving money.”

Turns out, while families were going without, Mitch Roob, Head of FSSA admitted that there has been no actual cost savings from privatization.

To top it off, things were so bad the state was told by the department of agriculture to stop the privatization rollout. 

 

FSSA privatization halted because the federal government cited bad wait times.  Daniels’ privatization of the welfare processing system led to such long wait times that the federal government became involved. The state halted the rollout because of the wait times. [Indianapolis Star, 7/31/08]

 
Daniels Administration Official Admits No Cost Savings Yet at FSSA.  Legislators in the General Assembly committee overseeing Medicaid were surprised to hear FSSA head Mitch Roob acknowledge that no cost savings had been realized from the FSSA services privatization, though he hoped to see them in the future. [Joint Committee on Medicaid Oversight hearing, 8/20/08]

 
"But, as Star reporter Tim Evans revealed Friday, more than 3,000 children in the state system do not have court-appointed advocates working on their behalf. About 1,100 of those children live in Marion County. The lack of representation is occurring even though a 3-year-old state law requires the appointment of an advocate to represent each child in the system. State officials point to a lack of money as one reason why more advocates haven't been recruited, even though funding for the program has more than tripled in the past two years." [Indianapolis Star Editorial, 8/9/08]

About Jill’s Record

 

As Under Secretary of Agriculture, Jill managed a complex organization and created jobs. President Clinton asked Jill to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development in 1995. In this role, she was responsible for a budget of $10 billion and over 7,000 employees. The agency she led was responsible for creating or preserving 150,000 jobs annually and helping 40,000 to 50,000 rural Americans to buy houses. Her department helped rural communities build and improve schools, clinics, and other facilities. [United States Department of Agriculture].

 

o    In 1998 alone, the Rural Development Agency helped create or save 215,000 rural jobs and helped 68,000 to buy homes. [USDA Press Release, 11/3/98].

o    Faced with a choice of whether to modernize and fix the direct home loan system or simply privatize it, Jill opted to modernize and centralize it. [National Mortgage News, 10/6/97].

Jasper Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 2

Mitch Daniels continues to tout Indiana as the “Star of the Midwest.”  Fortunately, Jill reminded the Governor that he’s only looking at one side of the ledger. 

Last Friday, new job loss statistics painted a very different picture, and Hoosiers across the state know better. 

A headline from the Indianapolis Star reports that Indiana’s unemployment rate is the highest since 1987. 

 
Since last week’s debate alone, several businesses have announced layoffs, leaving hundreds of hard-working Hoosiers jobless.

Here’s some stats:

 
Indiana’s unemployment is up 63,726 from a year ago to its highest rate in 20 years. There are now 207,195 unemployed in Indiana, compared to 143,469 in August 2007. It has not been this high since 1987. [Bureau of Labor Statistics; Indianapolis Star, 9/20/08]

 
Indiana had America’s 5^th-worst decline in employment (worse than OH, IL) in August. “Rhode Island recorded the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-2.6 percent), followed by Arizona (-1.9 percent), Michigan (-1.6 percent), Florida (-1.2 percent), Indiana (-1.1 percent), and Georgia (-1.0 percent).” [Bureau of Labor Statistics]

 
Unemployment is 1.9 percentage points higher than a year ago. From August to August, unemployment in Indiana rose from 4.5% to 6.4%. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]

 
Unemployment is 44% higher in Indiana than it was one year ago and 16% higher than when Daniels took office. When Daniels took office in January 2005, we had 179,140 unemployed in Indiana. In August 2007, there were 143,469 unemployed in our state. Today there are 207,195. This is an increase of 44%. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]

Jasper Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 1

Let’s have an honest discussion, Governor…

Governor Daniels likes to imply that he did not raise taxes. Is 7% sales tax not more than 6%?

FACT:

Daniels Pushed Successfully to Raise the Sales Tax. The Indiana legislature accepted Governor Daniels proposal to increase the Sales Tax by 16% (from 6 % to 7%), which the Governor signed into law. [Indianapolis Star, March 20, 2008]

 

Other tax hikes under Daniels:

 

Daniels Pushed Successfully to Raise the Cigarette Tax. Daniels called for and obtained a vast expansion of the cigarette tax, which he signed into law. [Associated Press, May 20, 2007]

 

Under Daniels, the Total Property Tax Levy Statewide Increased by over $1 Billion. The Speaker of the House said in 2005 Daniels property tax reform will increase property taxes by $1 billion for all property owners and erase the progress made during tax restructuring. [South Bend Tribune, 7/19/05]

 

Daniels tried to raise the Income Tax. In 2005, Daniels asked the General Assembly to pass an income tax increase, saying I ask the most fortunate among us, those citizens earning over $100,000 per year, for one year, to pay an additional one percent on the income they receive. [State of the State, 1/18/05]

 

Daniels Continues to Refuse to Suspend the Gas Tax. With average gas prices having now having risen 178% in the past seven years, Daniels still refuses to suspend the tax above $2.75/gallon. Indiana is one of only 7 states to charge such a tax. [FHA; AAA Fuel Gauge Report; Journal and Courier, August 15, 2008]

JILLCORPS:  Repairing a home for veterans’ families

What a day we had. JILLCORPS volunteers spent a good part of Saturday fixing up a home that will be used to house the families of veterans that are here at the VA hospital in Fort Wayne. The owner of the house, Annie Bryant, has dedicated her life to making the lives of veterans and their families better.

Volunteers with different unions and groups descended upon the 19th century farm house to fix it up so that the house can open as soon as possible. We did yard work, scrapped and painted, patched holes in the ceiling, worked on windows, and basically did whatever it was that Annie needed to get the house into shape. I spent the day spreading dirt, planting bushes, and helping out by doing whatever was needed.

This house is so important to the veterans and their families. John Damon, president of the VFW, stopped by and agreed to help Annie with getting the house on its feet. Indiana needs more people like Annie who will work to make the lives of Indiana's soldiers better.

When Jill was in Congress she was on the House Veterans Affairs Committee and dedicated herself to making veterans' lives better. She worked to save the VA hospital in Fort Wayne, so this project has very special meaning to her.  You can read more about her record on veterans' issues here.  

As a sister of a Marine veteran, I know that coming home can be hard for these brave men and women. This Bush/Daniels administration isn't making things any easier on them or their families. I know with Jill in office she will take care of those coming back and make sure that they can find jobs and that their families are taken care of while they are away.  Jill and her volunteers are dedicated to improving the lives of all Hoosiers. Jill will be an amazing Governor. Trust me, Mitch isn't fixing things, but as Governor, Jill will!

42 days and counting,
Ali

Introducing JILLCORPS

Jill Long Thompson is not just a leader we can get behind – she is a true public servant.  And in that mindset, we have developed a program we call JILLCORPS.

The primary intention of JILLCORPS is to put our vast campaign volunteer base to work for the betterment of communities all across the state, and not just on the phones or going door-to-door like a traditional campaign does.  Instead, JILLCORPS will get every volunteer engaged in each of their communities to help us change what’s gone wrong in our state after four years of Mitch Daniels’ "leadership."

Already, JILLCORPS has been active in communities around the state.  For example, in Evansville, our volunteers have been working to build a Habitat for Humanity home.  And in Indianapolis, our volunteers helped families displaced from their housing move into new homes last weekend.

Statewide, we have begun our JILLCORPS’ Book Drive.  One of Jill’s goals when she is elected Governor is to make sure every child learns to read.  Her plan calls for the creation of a public-private partnership to provide every Indiana child one free book each month from the day he or she is born until the age of five.  And the way we figure it, why should children have to wait for a new administration in the statehouse before Jill can start putting books in their hands?

In 2008, voters across this nation are longing for real change, not just a discussion about it.  Right here in Indiana, we're packing a big wallop of that change with our candidates, our campaign, and the agenda Jill and Dennie are discussing with Hoosiers around the state.  Won’t you join us in our fight to take back Indiana?

Sign up to become a JILLCORPS volunteer today!

Keep checking this blog for regular updates about JILLCORPS, the work we’re doing around Indiana, and the upcoming projects we plan to tackle.  With your help, we can start taking back Indiana TODAY, instead of waiting until January 1.

Sincerely,

The JLT Field Team

Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 6

Reality Check: Daniels is attempting to use education as a reason to privatize the state lottery program.

According to an investigation by WISH-TV, Daniels' claim that the lottery was intended for education is misleading. According to the news report:

A new television ad from Governor Mitch Daniels tells voters about his plans to use lottery money for education. A little fact checking reveals that the ad may dabble in fiction.

The ad begins by saying, "Back when the Hoosier Lottery started they told us it would be used for education. Didn't happen and it's time it did."

House Speaker Pat Bauer said that's not factual. Bauer authored the lottery bill in 1989. The bill devoted the profits to construction projects through what was known as the Build Indiana Fund. Then-governor Evan Bayh advanced the idea in his State of the State address that year and the legislature approved it.

Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 5

Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 4

Daniels just said the toll road privatization scheme was a "spectacular success."  Here's the facts:

Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 3

Mitch is trying to blur his record on taxes.  Jill reminded him that as President Bush's budget director - he was the architect of the largest deficit in the history of the world.

 

Daniels Pushed Successfully to Raise the Sales Tax.  The Indiana legislature accepted Governor Daniels' proposal to increase the Sales Tax by 16% (from 6 % to 7%), which the Governor signed into law. [Indianapolis Star, March 20, 2008]

 

Daniels Pushed Successfully to Raise the Cigarette Tax.  Daniels called for and obtained a vast expansion of the cigarette tax, which he signed into law. [Associated Press, May 20, 2007]

 

Under Daniels, the Total Property Tax Levy Statewide Increased by over $1 Billion. The Speaker of the House said in 2005 Daniels' property tax reform "will increase property taxes by $1 billion for all property owners and erase the progress made during tax restructuring." [South Bend Tribune, 7/19/05]

 

Daniels tried to raise the Income Tax.  In 2005, Daniels asked the General Assembly to pass an income tax increase, saying "I ask the most fortunate among us, those citizens earning over $100,000 per year, for one year, to pay an additional one percent on the income they receive." [State of the State, 1/18/05]

 

Daniels Continues to Refuse to Suspend the Gas Tax.  With average gas prices having now having risen 178% in the past seven years, Daniels still refuses to suspend the tax above $2.75/gallon. Indiana is one of only 7 states to charge such a tax. [FHA; AAA Fuel Gauge Report; Journal and Courier, August 15, 2008]

 

Daniels Presided Over Largest Swing From Federal Budget Surpluses to Deficits in History. During Daniels' 29 month tenure as director of the OMB, the federal budget surplus of $236 billion became a $374.2 billion deficit. Daniels has been quoted as saying, "We have returned to an era of deficits but we ought not to hyperventilate about this issue." [Atlanta Journal Constitution, 5/7/03; The Independent, 5/30/03; Indianapolis Star, 6/6/03; CBS News, 10/10/03]

Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 2

Daniels changed the definition of Indiana businesses for the Buy Indiana promise. An investigation found that the state's definition of Indiana businesses was inflated so that it could report higher numbers of contracts going to Indiana companies. Companies counted as "Indiana" firms under the definition included the University of Utah and Wal-Mart. [7/16/06]

Gubernatorial Debate Live Blog: Part 1

In the first 5 minutes, Mitch Daniels has already shown he needs a reality check of what's really happening in Indiana.

Daniels claims Indiana has one of the best economies in the Midwest and has even called us an "Island of Growth." The reality is not consistent with the picture he paints. 

 

Indiana's rate of job loss is the fastest in America.  The most recent BLS report, for July 2008, showed Indiana lost 16,500 jobs in one month. In per capita terms, that was the highest loss of any state in July.  [BLS News release USDL 08-1147, 08/15/08]

 

Indiana's employment situation is worse than when Daniels took office.  Indiana had 202,800 unemployed in July, up 61,000 from a year ago, and higher than when Daniels was sworn in. [BLS News release USDL 08-1147, 08/15/08]

 

Hoosier Income Has Fallen to 87 Cents on the National Dollar. Per capita personal income in Indiana is 37^th in the nation, and works out to 87 cents on the dollar compared to the national average—worse than in 2004 when Daniels decried income levels. [Census Bureau 2007 figures]