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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hinkle Bill Eliminates Marion County Townships
Rep. Phil Hinkle's HB 1341 will bring an end to township government in Marion County. Responsibilities of the township trustee will be transferred to the county. Indianapolis' mayor will be charged with appointing a person to coordinate the delivery of social services previously handled by the township trustees. Township small claims courts will be replaced by five county small claims courts. Judges of the small claims court will be appointed by the mayor to 6-year terms. The township constables for the small claims courts will also be eliminated. Personally, I would prefer that a merit selection system be implemented for these small claims court judges as part of a statewide effort to switch from elected judges to a merit selection system. Hinkle's bill sets maximum tax levies the county can levy to replace the former township tax levies and provides for the redistribution of the township's share of local income tax revenues to the city-county government. It's not clear what, if any, overall tax reduction will occur as a result of these changes. A more complete analysis of the fiscal impact of the legislation will be forthcoming as this legislation progresses.
Perhaps we need a bill to eliminate the state rep district that Phil Hinkle represents. That would save the taxpayers money and embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteA typical comment from a drive-by attack artist who is too ashamed to state his name for the record so Rep. Hinkle can respond to him.
ReplyDeleteHinkle for Governor '12.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I've been fairly impressed with Phil since his days on Council. Not the typical Marion County Republican at all. Bucked the slate and won.
I a kind to Rep. Hinkle compared to what some of the leaders of the Marion County GOP say about him.
ReplyDeleteBeing criticized by some of those folks is a badge of honor.
ReplyDeleteHinkle's bill is unconstitutional, you can't create local bills. Either have to do away with all townships in all 92 counties, or none.
ReplyDeleteThe General Assembly is mostly composed of insurance salesmen and realtors, so they wouldn't know the diff.
I beg to differ with you on the constitutional question. Ever noticed Uni-Gov?
ReplyDeleteThe workaround: write a law that refers to "First-Class Cities".
ReplyDeleteThere is only one in Indiana. Guess which one?
Thundermutt is correct. Legislation is passed all of the time regarding first class cities....the catch is that only one exists in Indiana. This enables the legislature to pass Indianapolis only measures all of the time..
ReplyDelete