Voters hold annual breakfast

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

The League of Women voters held its annual legislative breakfast on Saturday. The event provided opportunity for discussion about issues such as Indiana's voting process, the fiscal budget and education in Indiana with state senators and representatives.

Sen. Ron Alting, R-22nd, said that the election process is being looked at very closely in the House of Representatives as well as in the Senate. A task force was assigned on Feb. 1 that would work with this issue. One member of the force is Lafayette Mayor Dave Heath. The force will look at possibilities of change for the current electoral process.

Sen. Joseph Harrison, R-23rd, said that he is weary about changes in the election process.

"I come from a small county and we tried to get away from paper ballots," said Harrison.

Harrison said that punch cards have worked well in the electoral process in his community and no recounts have been made since his community made the switch.

Other representatives said that the process is not the issue, but rather the people involved.

Rep. Sue Scholer, R-26th, said that voter education is the most important thing in the election process.

In addition to discussing Indiana's election process, the state's fiscal budget was a topic of concern at the morning's event.

"We are looking at a slowing economy and expenses are rising," said Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-7th. His solution to Indiana's tight budget situation is to reconcile slowing revenue with rising expenses.

Rep. Tim Brown, R-41st, agreed with Hershman and said that Indiana should make priorities concerning money that is spent.

"We're still growing revenues, but we spend it faster than we take it in," said Brown.

Klinker said that the restructuring of taxes in Indiana might be a possible solution to the state's budget problems. Committees are looking at the possibility of tax restructuring but this session is a difficult one to create change. This action would be necessary if education will remain on the forefront of Indiana's list of concerns, said Klinker.

Scholer said that most leaders view education as a good investment for the future.

Indiana has the oldest kindergartners in the country and leaders are working to change the enrollment date of kindergartners. Currently the enrollment date for kindergartners is set for June 1st. However, leaders would like to see that changed to Sept. 1st.

Scholer said that Indiana citizens need to change the way that they look at education all together.

"For years we assumed that children were being educated when we sent them to school; no questions asked," said Scholer.

Children today learn differently than they used to and lessons need to be taught in different and new ways, said Scholer.

Alting agreed with Scholer saying that education needs to be put under the microscope. He said that today, much more is expected of students and this responsibility is necessary for children to learn well.

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Voters hold annual breakfast

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City editor:
Heather Mangold

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