Two years ago, House Republicans committed to turn Indiana in a new direction. We laid out proposals to open state government, create jobs, restore fiscal integrity, protect Hoosier families, improve education, and reform state government. When we took the majority in the Indiana House in 2005, we delivered on those promises, and much more.
During the 2006 elections, House Republicans again articulated a clear plan through a series of "Pledges for Indiana's Progress" that outlined our goals for the 2007 legislative session and beyond. All totaled, our 12 priority areas contained over 50 ideas to accelerate Indiana's progress in the 21st century. These pledges were not just made for the next election; they were designed as a blueprint for the next generation.
The November election placed the mantel of House leadership on our Democrat colleagues, with Republicans returning to the minority by the slimmest of margins. While our legislative role has changed, our goals remain the same. We will continue to push the legislative debate away from partisanship, and toward our goal of improving the quality of life for every Hoosier.
While we will continue to discuss all of the agenda items forwarded prior to the election, our efforts will concentrate on four primary goals: strong taxpayer protection, comprehensive education reform, job opportunity for every Hoosier and safe neighborhoods for our seniors, children and every family, wherever they may live. Each of these initiatives is designed to provide greater opportunity, prosperity, and security for every Hoosier family.
The first order of business for lawmakers will be to craft a new $27 Billion two year state budget. In 2005 Republicans proposed and passed the first honestly balanced budget in a decade, without tax increases or transfer gimmicks, and we did it on time. Republicans also provided the first homeowner property tax "freeze" in decades. On the average, homestead property taxes did not increase at all in 2006, while essential needs were met in a responsible manner. This legislature must balance the budget again, without tax increases or the balance sheet gimmicks of the past, and with a continuing property tax freeze for Hoosier homeowners. Through the efforts of Governor Daniels and like-minded legislators, the state's economy is recovering sufficiently to allow major investments in education, healthcare and job creation, while still holding the line on deficit spending and tax increases.
It's also time for a comprehensive debate on Indiana's education system. Graduation rates in some schools hover near the teens. Record numbers of families are fleeing inner city schools. There has been slow progress on achievement testing improvement. In short, while full day kindergarten and state funded textbooks are important parts of the debate, they will not alone solve our problems. House Republicans hope to expand the debate with proposals for greater teacher incentives and accountability, expanded education options for the neediest Hoosier families, advocating that tax dollars follow students directly to the classroom rather than just funding buildings and institutional costs, and by empowering local school boards to place full day kindergarten block grant money where it is needed, rather than where state officials say it must go.
While the budget and education reform are critical, we must not lose sight of the fact that a mere two years ago, Indiana lead the nation in jobs lost and dragged the nation in new economic activity. While much has been achieved in the last two years, much remains to be done. From January 2005 through December 2006, nearly 38,000 new jobs have been announced through plant openings or expansions, with 80,000 more Hoosiers working today than in January of 2005. House Republicans have a plan to expand that success by broadening our focus from large employers to the small entrepreneur, where 80 percent of the next decade=s jobs will be created. Our goal is to create economic opportunity for every Hoosier, with more Hoosiers owning successful small businesses than ever before. When they do, they have a vital stake in Indiana=s future.
While the big state picture is important to all of us, there is no more fundamental government function than assuring safe neighborhoods. While much of this burden falls on local officials, the state must do its part as well. House Republicans have proposed a "truth in sentencing" law that will require violent offenders serve at least 85% of their sentence, not less than 50% as Indiana now allows. We also support a mandatory death penalty or life without parole for anyone found guilty of killing a police officer in the line of duty. Registries for violent offenders and Meth dealers are also a priority so that Indiana residents are aware of potentially dangerous convicted felons who live in their neighborhood. We must take back our streets and provide safe neighborhoods first and foremost for every Hoosier.
Great leaders are more than crisis managers - they must have vision - they must have goals. But vision and goals without action is meaningless. As we move forward with these key proposals and many more, we realize that we can only reach our goals for Indiana by reaching out and working with every elected official, especially our Democrat counterparts. Hoosiers are tired of the constant bickering that has become synonymous with Indiana politics, and frankly, so are we. Hoosiers deserve better.
Our pledge for this legislative session is to roll up our sleeves and work in good faith to make Indiana the state we know she can be. Now is the time for partnership, not partisanship, cooperation rather than conflict and discussion of policy over politics. House Republicans pledge to bring vision, action and partnership to the debate. Indiana's future depends on it.