Archives for March 2016

“Hoosiers’ income still lags” – 38^th in nation for per capita income

INDIANAPOLIS – As Mike Pence is expected to chair the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors meeting this afternoon, will he address the falling incomes of everyday Hoosiers? Under Gov. Pence’s watch, per capita incomes for Hoosiers have plummeted to 38^th in the nation, down from 33^rd from 2004.

“Governor Mike Pence believes a low unemployment number is the ticket to re-election, but the fact is wages continue to plummet and the Hoosier worker is falling behind the rest of the nation. Per capita income has dropped to 38th in the U.S., and Hoosiers continue to do more work for less,” said Drew Anderson, communications director. “Even the lieutenant governor – Eric Holcomb – disagrees with Gov. Pence’s economic snapshot – and Hoosiers know it’s time to defeat the governor and his political ideology. They are ready for a governor who will instead bring quality, high-paying jobs back to the Hoosier State. That person is John Gregg.”

Mike Pence has quite the history of siding against the Hoosier worker. Wages for Hoosiers have fallen from $53,500 in 2000 to $46,900 in 2013. And just this last year, Governor Pence did whatever was necessary to lobby for and repeal Indiana’s common construction wage law – including using money from his own campaign. There’s no other way to sugarcoat the fact that under Mike Pence, Hoosiers are earning less for the same work. We can do better.

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In total, Young and allies are dumping $750,000 for airtime in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS – Finger-pointing, name-calling Todd Young’s campaign is so bad that Washington, D.C. Republicans are throwing their extra cash to help him catch frontrunner Marlin Stutzman. But that happens when you have a candidate like Todd Young who believed Indiana election law doesn’t apply to him and failed to reach the minimum ballot signature requirements.

“After blaming everyone but himself on his ballot signature snafu, Todd Young is now asking his Washington friends for another bailout – but this time it’s to save his struggling campaign from losing to frontrunner Marlin Stutzman,” said Drew Anderson, communications director. “Hoosiers have figured out who Todd Young is, and they don’t want a politician who is unwilling to do the tough, gritty work that’s required to be a public servant for Indiana. Instead, they see Todd Young as a Washington-establishment politician who will say or do anything required to win votes. That’s not the Hoosier way.”

The news of yesterday’s ad buy comes after Todd Young released a website attacking his primary opponent, a move cementing a complete flip-flop from a month before. After numerous independent counts in February found Young didn’t get enough signatures needed to qualify for the U.S. Senate ballot, Todd Young blamed his opponent – Marlin Stutzman – for practicing “Chicago-style politics.” But through the announcement of a new attack website on Rep. Stutzman, it seemed like Todd Young is willing to say or do absolutely anything that served his own political interests.

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INDIANAPOLIS – This session, Mike Pence and Statehouse Republicans were quick to tout they solved the crisis at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Sure, they may say they fixed the problems because of the public relations crisis they faced, but did a true fix actually happen? Should Hoosiers feel rest assured that the agency won’t take advantage of their tax dollars again?

Not a chance.

“My Republican colleagues in the Statehouse shook my hand, looked me in the eyes, and told me HEA 1087 would pay back Hoosier taxpayers and fix this embarrassing flap at the BMV,” said State Representative Dan Forestal. “Instead, they flat out lied to me and deceived the people we are elected to represent. Jamming last minute earmarks into necessary bills is Washington-style politics. We are better than that. Hoosier families need to have faith in their state government. This law adds more tedious regulations that could do more harm than good for the state of Indiana.”

Masked by the brand of “fixing” the scandal-ridden Bureau of Motor Vehicles, HEA 1087 is chocked-full of earmarks fueled by eleventh-hour deals that ultimately hurt hardworking Hoosiers. Unnecessary additions to HEA 1087 include the following:

• Shortened Railroad Regulations. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, Indiana ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to train to auto accidents. Through a deal struck by railroad companies and Mike Pence, the line of sight at railroad crossings will diminish from 1,500 feet to 250 feet – putting the safety of many Hoosiers in jeopardy.
• Increased Fee from Rental Car Companies. And in a last minute deal at the Statehouse, motorists are now subjected to higher fees for vehicles rented through car rental companies in the state.

“By hiding these last-minute deals in this law branded as a ‘fix,’ Mike Pence is once again putting his out-of-touch political agenda ahead of the overall well-being of the state,” added John Zody, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “This is typical of Mike Pence and his Republican Party. Under Mike Pence’s watch, Indiana has seen both our ‘Crossroads of America’ and ‘Hoosier Hospitality’ reputations severely damaged – as he has governed from one public relations crisis to another. We can do better, and it begins by getting rid of Mike Pence and legislators who refuse to be honest to Hoosiers.”

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INDIANAPOLIS – Drew Anderson, communications director of the Indiana Democratic Party, released the following statement as Mike Pence today signed an election year, short-term road plan that does the bare minimum needed to maintain the state’s D+-rated infrastructure system.

“One thing is certain: without ideas offered by Democrats, Indiana would still be without any infrastructure plan at all. It was only after three and a half years in office and a number of infrastructure crises around the state, including the I-65 bridge closure from last August that Governor Pence finally put out an infrastructure plan. While Democrats, like John Gregg who put out a comprehensive, long-term plan out four years ago, foresaw this problem – Mike Pence chose to do nothing. In doing so, he put Indiana’s ‘Crossroads of America’ reputation in jeopardy. Hoosiers wanted long-term solutions this session, not a plan meant for an election year talking point. It’s this out-of-touch agenda, not to mention failed leadership by Mike Pence, that leaves our infrastructure crumbling and has our state falling behind the rest of the nation.”

BACKGROUND: Timeline of Mike Pence’s Failure to Address State’s Crumbling Infrastructure

September 2012: No plan from Mike Pence on how to improve and maintain our state’s infrastructure.

August 4, 2015: Northbound lane of Wildcat Creek Bridge – located on I-65 – closes abruptly after structural problems surface.

August 5, 2015: INDOT confirms 21 bridges in Tippecanoe County (along with over 1,800 other bridges in the state) are labeled as “structurally deficient.

August 7, 2015: After briefly reopening, the Wildcat Creek Bridge again closes, after bridge sunk nine inches.

August 12, 2015: Eight days after initial bridge closure, Mike Pence finally holds media availability and said he’s open to using “short-term” opportunities to aid state’s failing infrastructure.

August 13, 2015: Trucking businesses, state economy impacted by the I-65 bridge closure.

August 14, 2015: INDOT announces Wildcat Creek Bridge on I-65 will remain closed until mid-September.

August 20, 2015: Along with delayed travel and an impact to the state’s economy, fatal car accidents are reported along the I-65 detour.

September 21, 2015: Report reveals INDOT invested $71 million in faulty asphalt, leaving 200 road projects across the state in jeopardy of crumbling sooner than expected.

October 15, 2015: Local roads – making up 90% of state’s infrastructure – miss out on Mike Pence’s short-term solution to fix state’s D+ rated infrastructure.

December 10, 2015: To cover for Mike Pence’s failure, Senate Republicans also introduce a short-term, one-time bill aimed at state’s local infrastructure.

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Chairman Zody: “This session can be characterized by missed opportunities”

INDIANAPOLIS – After Mike Pence and Statehouse Republicans failed Hoosiers during the 2016 General Assembly Session, Democrats took to the road last week to share the many times Pence left the state falling behind the rest of the nation.

From continuing to put Indiana’s welcoming reputation in jeopardy to being late to the game on fixing the state’s crumbling infrastructure, Mike Pence’s failed leadership has caused Hoosiers to consistently fall short and not reach their full potential.

Terre Haute Tribune-Star: “Democrats assail Pence’s performance during legislature”

WTWO: “The Democratic Party says the bills discussed are either too late or simply not enough. ‘This session can be characterized by missed opportunities and really by failed leadership on Governor Pence,’ said Indiana Democratic Party Chairman, John Zody.”

WLFI: Democratic Party Chairman John Zody said from civil rights to education to road funding, the Indiana General Assembly did not make enough progress this session.

Coverage also seen in WEVV.

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