Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 June 2002 — Page 3

FRIDAY, JUNE 7,2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE A3

Community residents question tax bill

By ANARE V. HOLMES Recorder Editor Curtis Hill was among a group of about 250 people who stood outside the Indiana Statehouse Monday demanding lawmakers “cut out the fat” and re-write ft planned tax increase of nearly $1.8 billion. “I’m here to find out what happened to our surplus and why such

a large tax increase is needed,” said Hill. “Who is to say that we won’t be back in the same situation later down the road even with this planned increase?” The House Ways and Means committee approved the tax hike in House Bill 1001 during a special session called by Gov. Frank O’Bannon last month. The bill aims to fix the state’s $1 billion deficit through a 1 per-

cent increase in the sales tax and increases in some business and gambling taxes. Plus, an additional $99 million is to be raised from a 3-cent increase in the gas tax. At Recorder press time, members of the House were considering amendments to bill — action Hill and other protesters who converged at the Statehouse say is needed. “The planned increases would

hurt the state’s poorest citizens and make the state more reliant on smokers and gamblers,” said Joe Smith during the rally that included several Black Republicans and other Republican officials such as state Sen. Michael Young, Rep. James Buck and Luke Messer, executive director of the Indiana Republican Party. Democrats argue the tax increase is a trade-off since $1 bil-

lion in property taxes are planned to be cut, in addition to other business taxes that can stunt greater economic development. The governor’s office is hopeful legislators can work out a plan fast. This week. Gov. O’Bannon released news that tax collections in May fell $110.1 million short and that the state is almost $290 million below what lawmakers antici-

pated to collect in the current budget year, which ends June 30. Tax refunds, losses in corporate earnings and personal income are factors attributed to the shortfalls. “It’s time for us to really take a good look at where we are and look at all the alternatives,” said Hill. “I’m a concerned citizen who cares about this state and I want to make sure these elected officials know that.”

EMERSON Continued from A1 Longtime library employee Emma Williams sees the new library as an improvement in the neighborhood. “It will mean easier access for our patrons, especially the elderly, handicapped and mothers with young children and babies," she pointed out. “It will also be easier to drop books off, because the drop-off will be on the side of the building. “It will also give me the opportunity to help more people in the neighborhood, and I’m hoping that more people will know where we will be. We will be there, waiting to help them.” Employee Macie Amos talked about why she sometimes feels sad at the present site. “I’m really looking forward to moving, because I can do so much more for our patrons,” she said. “I kind of feel sad at times, when we don’t have enough computers to service everyone, but that won’t be a problem when we move. “There will be larger and better meeting rooms for community meetings, and the facility will be more adequate for the entire community.” Another plus for the new library is the possibility of a boardwalk. “We are currently investigating grants (from several sources) to build a boardwalk through the wetlands to provide an educational opportunity to the residents,” Smith said. “It will also provide access from the neighborhoods to the northwest.” According to Smith, the area around the new site is federally protected, and does not allow new developments on it, except for educational purposes.

Budget woes cause city officials to table living wage proposal City-County Council members agreed to post-pone action on a current living wage proposal Tuesday night. Citing the city and state’s budget woes, members of the Rules and Public Policy Committee voted unanimously to delay action of the proposal indefinitely. The living wage plan would call for all government employees receiving health and insurance benefits to be paid at least $ 10 an hour with $1 increases each year until workers are paid $15 an hour.

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER USPS 262-660 Published weekly by: The George P. Stewart Printing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Entered as Second Class Matter under Act of March 7,1870. Periodicals paid at Indianapolis, IN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: V*Indianapolis Rtcoabr, P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Subscription price by mail or carrier: $39 per year: $29 for 6 mos ,75 cents per copy. National advertising representative: Amalgamated Publishers Inc., 45 W. 45th St., New York, NY 10036. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Association. Central Indiana Publishers Association, Hoosier State Press Association SUBSCRIBERS BY MAIL: We are not responsible for replacing issues missed due to change of address or late renewals Please allow two weeks when placing a new subscription or change of address order CaN (317) 924-5143.

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