Ladd: Why cut credits when creating more government?



Thanks to Tribune publisher Steve Kozarovich and the editorial board of The Tribune for the Sunday. Feb. 7, 2010, editorial in support of the enterprise zone and other state economic development incentives. Thanks, also, to Daniel Suddeath for his several stories on the issue. If enacted, SB 236 will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010; taking away the majority of our funding immediately.

Also of note, Senate Bill 237 will set up an important study committee in the summer of 2010 to study the effects of SB236. Is that the ironic, or what?



SB237 HIGHLIGHTS

A BILL FOR AN ACT concerning economic development.

(a) The interim study committee on economic development is established to study the following:

(1) Best practices in state and local economic development policies and activities.

(2) The use and effectiveness of tax credits and deductions.

(3) Whether there are any specific sectors of the economy for which Indiana might have comparative advantages over other states.

(4) The extent to which of Indiana’s tax laws encourage business investment, and any improvements that might be made to Indiana’s tax laws.

(5) The extent to which Indiana's education systems support economic development.

(6) Any other issue assigned to the committee by the legislative council or as directed by the committee’s co-chairs.

(b) The committee consists of the following members:

(1) Two members of the Senate, who must be affiliated with different political parties, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate.

(2) Two members of the house of representatives, who must be affiliated with different political parties, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(3) The chief executive officer of the Indiana economic development corporation (or the chief executive officer’s designee).

(4) The following 12 members appointed by the governor, not more than six of whom may be affiliated with the same political party:

(A) One member to represent large businesses.

(B) One member to represent small businesses.

(C) One member to represent banking and finance.

(D) One member to represent labor interests.

(E) One member to represent higher education.

(F) One member to represent local economic development organizations and officials.

(G) One member to represent cities.

(H) One member to represent counties.

(I) One member to represent agricultural interests.

(J) One member to represent the public at large.

(K) One member to represent kindergarten through grade 12 education.

(L) One member to represent the arts and humanities.

This SECTION expires Jan. 1, 2011

This bill sets up an interim study committee to study the effectiveness of the state’s economic development programs and their incentives. In other words: let us suspend (surely damage) our existing economic development programs THEN let us study the effects of these programs and their impact on bringing/retaining business in the State of Indiana.



Ready! Fire!! Aim!!!

— Michael C. Ladd, Executive Director, New Albany Urban Enterprise Zone Association



Community needs to remember good works

I am writing to ask for your consideration for more human interest stories in The Tribune. I had submitted a story about my Mother last month and I really feel this would be a great way to encourage our community to share kindness with one another.

Elizabeth A. Shoup Burke died suddenly last month of a ruptured aneurysm. Many members of our community have been touched by her random acts of kindness and unconditional love and support and have asked consistently what they can do.

With her birthday on Jan. 30th, I felt it was important to write this letter and challenge our community to pay her kindness forward. She presented a passion for life that was not only contagious but life changing! She loved adventure and found it in all that she did. Whether it was sitting in her back yard watching nature come alive or white water rafting down the Pigeon River with her children and grandchildren (this past summer), she always said “yes” to anything life offered.

She was able to see things that most of us would not have even noticed. The Sand Hill Crane migration each winter and spring, a hawk or eagle soaring close by, the person needing help carrying something, the child lacking encouragement/basic needs, or the adult needing a ride home — all of these became her passion at any given moment. She was an amazing “neighbor” and would do absolutely anything that was asked and usually gave support before being asked.

All the people she touched felt they had a new best friend. Elizabeth consistently told stories of people that she had met in Kroger, Dillard’s, and numerous other shops and restaurants. She did not just know their names; she knew their story and always listened with great intent. She made such an impact on people’s lives, that regularly people would introduce themselves from decades earlier. She never met a stranger.

Elizabeth’s love of life and for people can live on the deeds and words of others. We encourage you to live with compassion, courage and commitment to

making this world a better place.

The Family still cannot imagine how we will continue our journey without her daily involvement — how do planets orbit without their solar magnetic draw?

With comfort from many, and of course time, we will each design a new celestial path and her stellar involvement will always be present in our future.

Our community is such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. We are very thankful for all of the support we have received. I hope that this challenge to our community will remind us how our acts of kindness should be shared with one another!



— Barbara Burke Fondren, New Albany