The Independent-News, Volume 106, Number 34, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 29 January 1981 — Page 5

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED COOK'S Indiana House Summary HFF - r -f M WF if ■ SlyfeaEtL- / DISTRICT 18 -* 4 .■ * ^l.

During the last long session of the Indiana General Assembly there were 2166 bills tiled, including "vehicle” hills, in the Indiana House of Representatives I his was the first time since the creation of the annual session that the num her of hills introduced declined when compared with the previous session I hat does seem like a large number of bills filed by the 100 members of the House What is mon- extraordinary is that only 320 bills become Public law last ses sion. For this 102nd session, as of this date, of the Indiana General Assemble. I have authored three bills These bills concern such subject matters as tax reform, retirement benefits and financial re sponsibditv I he following is a brief description of the bills I have authored and their respective committee assign ments HB 1166 If passed, provides that the taxpayer is not liable for interest on late assessments. I wrote this bill because in Marshall Countv there were roughly 500 mis takes made in assessment where the taxpayers were unduly penal i/ed. This bill will prevent repetition of this problem HB 11 1>6 is currently being discussed in the ( ommittee on Wav s and Mcanss HB 1168 ( urrcntlv under dis cussion bv the Committee on Wavs and Means, would create a pension fund for police officers and lire fighters at state universities HB 1298 Sets new penalties for failure to show financial re sponsibditv Ihe current law con corning the financial responsibility of uninsured motorists on the road is bask alls unenfon able While HB 1298 is not a complete answer in rectifying uninsured drivers, it will make the law much more stringent, and thus, will promote the busing of liability insurance bv currentlv uninsured drivers "This bill is being considered bv the Committee on ( ourts and ( nminal Code. If vou have any questions con corning anv of these bills, please contact me at the State House at I 800-382-9842 I he financial standing of Indiana has occupied a great deal of the attention of the members <»f the House of Representatives this past week I he Budget Subcommittee of the House Wavs and Means Committee has spent this week reviewing budget requests from various state agencies and departments During the week of hearings, figures on state revenue were discussed that indicate the state's general fund and propertv tax relief fund arc going to be drained during the next few months It was stated that the state’s surplus has nearly disappeared and that with the bleak economic forecast, the preparation of the state’s budget must be carefully scrutinized in light of budget cuts and fiscal drains For example.

the budget for schools and univer sitics according to the present Budget Agency figures, has no incresed funding I here arc also numerous problems in the area of highway funding and funding for other social service programs. While tile state’s fiscal problems art of utmost importance several bills have had a second reading in the House I hen will continue to be much discussion on the state's fiscal concerns for quite some time. One bill — HB IIM — was passed unanimously bv the House Wa\sand Means Committee. This bill will provide an additional SI .200.(MM) from the general fund to the State Student Assistance Com mission to be used in the educa tional grant program. Several Democratic members of the House Wavs and Means ( ommittee have worked extensively on (his bill which passed the full House on Wednesday, January 13th bv a vote of 87-5, I will keep vou informed on the state's budget matters of import ance to vou and if vou have any questions, please w rite to me at the State House. Indianapolis. IN 16204 or i all toll tree at 1-800 382 9842. COOK OUTLINES TWO GENERAL TAX BENEFITS Stale Representative Ed ( ook <D Plymouth) recently announced two tax benefits which benefit homeowners and renters "Is pcciallv during these tough eco noma times, people should be made aw are of all tax cuts for w hich they arc qualified.” Rep Cook stated Ml homeowners including buv ers on recorded contracts who pav propertv taxes are eligible to file for additional propertv tax reduc tion under Indiana’s "Homestead credit” law Individuals who filed for tin- program in |9"9do not have to rcfile Individuals who did not file in |9-9 or 1980 or have become eligible since that time should file with (heir countv auditor before July I. |9Bl Rep ( ook elaborated, "As a ’v anishmg' credit, the homestead credit will provide an additional 6 percent propertv tax reduction on taxes pavable in 1981. 4 percent on taxes pav able in 1982. and 2 percent on taxes pavable in 1983 It vou don t own a home, but rent instead, vou are eligible for a tax deduction also Rep ( ook added Ml renters mav take an income tax deduction of up to SIMM) on their stall- income tax returns due | TELEPHONE§ < NUMBERS FOR ;! LEGISLATORS ; House Os Representatives! 1 800-382-9841 < Senate j ;l 1-800-382-9467

in April for rent paid during the prev ions vear. Bill PROPOSED TO REMOVE POLITICS EROM P.S.C. R' p B Patric k Hauer 11 > South Bend) 1111 rodmcd a bill into the 102nd session of the Indiana House of R< presentativ es todav designed t<> make the members if the Indiana Public Service Commission elective rather than appointive positions. Rep. Ed. Goble (D Batesville), Rep Hurl< v Goodall (I) Muncie), and Rep. Bauer sponsors of the bill arc looking for support from the Republican House caucus and the Rc publican Partv for this legis lation ’' I his full would allow people to have a chonc in the selection of these important public of fkcholders who have more impact on people’s wallets due to increases granted to utilities." Rep. Bauer noted. " I his legislation." according to R< p Bauer, "will provide that the candidates for the Public Service ( ommission run on a non partisan ticket in the Primary Flection, beginning in 1982 for a 4 vearterm." I here arc other states such as lexas and Louisianna where the members of the Public Service ( ommissions are elected to these positions In many of these states, the- election of the members of the commission is one of the most important races in those states. Rep Bauer stated that, "there has been talk in past sessions of opening up the Public Service Com mission and thus allowing the voters themselves to review these positions Rep Bauer concluded that, "this legislation will remove the commission members from patronage politics. " John Glenn Lists Honor Roll For First Semester I fit- John Glenn High School honor rolls for the second nine week grading period and the first semester have been released as follow s SECOND NINE WEEKS SENIORS Distinguished I ouv a Boise Donna I aßere Brian Parker ( indy Petry Grant Walmoth Regular Pam Aitken ,lc ft Arnett Barbara Berton ( arol Dominiack Kathv Hagcnbush Karen Hawk I im Hesters Della Hochstetler Shellv Kaser I on Neiswender I isa /artman HNIORB Distinguished Josie Carter Sandra ( hapman Julie ( line Sherry Klinedinst Diena Pletcher ( athv Sc hmeltz Regular Wade Boise lodv ( arlson Jill Davis Mike I Ikin Flovd Hapcck Jackie Hostetler Pam lacobson Alison Keiser lerrv Merkel Karla Muncie Kim Ri/ek Be th Rundle I isa Sc hmidt 1 erri Stull ( hris Walker Bill Williams SOPHOMORf S Distinguished Rhonda Kinnev Kandi Klinedinst Timothy Pontius

JANUARY 29. 1981 - THE INDEPENDENT NEWS -

Hiler Appointed To Small Business & Government Operations Committees

( ongressman .John Hiler has been selected to serve on the Small Business and Government Operations Committees of the U S. House of Rc preservatives. Hiler was selected the highest ranking Republican freshman to the Small Business Committee and third ranking freshman to the Government Operations Committee. I'm very pleased to serve on these two very important committees." Hiler said "The Small Business Committee has jurisdiction over assistance to and protection of small businesses and has special oversight responsibilities with small business problems." Ihe Government Operations Committee has jurisdiction over the overall economy and efficiency of federal government operations, reorganizations in the executive Karen Schmeltz Can /artman Regular Mike Aitken Mike Arnett Brenda Bree ht Bob Clapper Ric h Cole Kelly Cordell Steve Dreessen Teresa Frnsbcrgcr John Flaugher Cindy Hawk Paul Hostetler Fred Krick lodd Millar Richard Mixire Wendell Rohrer Jeffrey I raub Dencvn Wringer FRESH Ml N Distinguskhcd lammv Miller Regular lammv Anderson Katie Hershberger Beth Kersh Jeff Munn Davt n Pletcher FIRST SEMESTER SENIORS Distinguished Tonya Boise Donna I aßere Brian Parker (irant Walmoth Regular Pam Aitken Jeff Arnett Barbara Berton ( arol Dominiack Kathrv n Hagcnbush Karen Haw k I im Hesters Mark Holdcman Shellv Kaser Doreen Kepi ha Deb Miller 1 on Neiswender Cindv Petrv I isa /artman H NIORS Distinguished losic ( artcr Sandra ( hapman Julie Cline Sherry Klinedinst Diena Pletcher ( athv Schmeltz Regular Wade Boise lodv ( arlson fill Davis Mike f Ikm Floyd Hajicck Jac kic Hostetler Pam Jacobson Alison Keiser Maureen Kennedy Kerry I ichtenbarger lerrv Merkel Karla Muncie Be th Rundle 1 isa Sc hmidt 1 ern Stull Bill Williams SOPHOMORES Distinguished Rhonda Kinnev Timothy Pontius Karen Schmeltz ( ary Zartman Regular

branch of government, and inter governmental relations between the federal government. States and municipalities, including general revenue sharing Hiler s selection was made official on lanuarv 21 bv the ( ongres sional Joint ( ommittee on ( om mittees. Being on the Government Op erations ( ommittee will be espec tally significant in the 9’th Congress. Hiler said, since it will have jurisdiction over a great deal of legislation designed to reduce the cost of operating the federal goy ernment. Hiler said he would alsi be work ing on many other issues expected to surface in the 9’th Congress, r eluding tax cut legislation and other concerns designed to spur economic growth and create new jobs in the private sector Mike Aitken Mike Arnett Brenda Brecht Rich Cole Kelly Cordell Steve Dreessen I iz Fenstermacher John Flaugher ( mils Haw k ( mdv Hostetler Steve Kaszas Kandi Klinedinst Fred Knck I isa I aFollette lodd Millar ( hnstinia Miller Richard Moore I isa Robison Wendell Rohrer Jeffrey I raub Mark Whitaker Deneen Wringer FRFSHMI N Distinguished I ammv Sillier Regular lammv Anderson I <»m Duff Katie Hershberger Beth Kersh Mike Klinedinst Jeff Munn Kells Patterson Dawn Pletcher Pinewood Derby To Be Held On Saturday, Jan. 31 ( ub Scout Pack 293 will have its annual Pinewood Derby on Satur dav. January 31. at the Walkerton ) outh Building Ri gistration of cars will be from II It) to 100 p m Ihe race will start promptly at I (M) p m Scouts will race for trophies for first second and third places, best de sign, most unusual, most original and for the judges choice Also panicipation trophies will be given to Scouts not receiving the ab»nc awards In order to receive a tro phv a Sv out must race his car Open class racing will take place after the Cub Scouts SERVICE NEWS ARM) AIR FORI I HOME TOWN NEWS — Pvt James B Km hel. son of Mr and Mrs lames I Kuchel of XK) North. Grovertow n, Ind . is attending basic tram mg at Fort I -onard Wo<M Mo During the training students re eeive instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, ladies military courtesy, military justice, first aid, and Army history and traditions Happy Ads Only SI 00 K«*lM<iw> mitK

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