Finance

Hoosiers Show How It’s Done: Indiana Posts a Surplus And Dems Are Unhappy

Indiana State Auditor Tim Berry announced the news on Thursday: the state posted a $1.2 billion surplus in the state budget. Considering that that the nation is in the middle of a nationwide recession, this may come as a surprise to many

Indiana’s fiscal year ended June 30 with the state having $400 million, or 40 percent more money in its coffers than it had at the same time last year.

“We’re showing . . . that you can manage a budget by reducing expenditures and not raising taxes,” said Berry.

According to the report, “Barry credited state agencies who slimmed their spending and Governor Mitch Daniels’ fiscal accountability.”

Hoosiers Show How Its Done: Indiana Posts a Surplus And Dems Are Unhappy“More money in Hoosiers’ incomes and a terrific job of cost control by state employees working together combined to produce an even stronger result than we expected at budget time,” Daniels said in a statement Thursday.

“With the national economy still limping badly, and downside risks still abounding, it is reassuring to have a safety margin that other states would love to have.”

Last year, Daniels and Indiana lawmakers were concerned the state was going to bankrupt by the end of the fiscal year. Now, the state has an amount in reserves that was not predicted to be reached until 2013. A happy situation for any state.

“Indiana arrived at its surplus despite receiving 5.5 percent less revenue, or $1.34 billion, that was anticipated in the 2010-2011 fiscal year from the budget passed in 2009. At the same time, the state found ways to spend 5.5 percent less, or $1.52 billion than expected,” the report continued.

However, as per their usual, Democrats decided that this was no cause for celebration.

“From even the most cursory examination, it is apparent that this budget surplus has not been built on a strong economy keyed on job creation,” said House Minority Leader Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) in response. “That’s because this administration has no such program.”

Pat Bauer, as some may remember, made headlines recently when he coaxed his fellow democrats into fleeing the state in an attempt to halt a vote on anti-union legislation.

Bauer continued: “Instead, it is obvious that this surplus owes a great deal to budget reversions and other accounting tricks that this administration frowned upon when it took office. Without the past use of federal stimulus dollars, the continual demand for trimming agency budgets, and the occasional raid on dedicated funds, our financial picture would not be as rosy as the governor and the auditor would like. At that point, it is prudent to wonder at the cost extracted by these gimmicks. What services are suffering as a result of the obsessive need to maintain a $1 billion surplus?”

Despite his overtures, Gov. Mitch Daniels plans to keep the money in savings rather than restore state programs that were cut.

At this moment, the $1.18 billion surplus does not meet the 10 percent budget surplus amount required for an automatic taxpayer refund which state lawmakers passed earlier this year. However, Indiana lawmakers are optimistic that the saving will come close to that at the end of the current two-year budget cycle.

With a fiscal hawk like Mitch Daniels at the helm, Indiana could teach Washington, D.C. a thing or too. With effective cuts and real fiscal austerity, budgets can be controlled.

Comments (191)

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  • Stehekin912
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:27pm

    Congratulations Hoosiers!

    Bauer ( and ilk) – sounds to me like “sour grapes”. Indiana and We The People are on the road to prosperity or scrambling as hard as we can to get on that road and get moving. Mr. Bauer (and ilk) if you want to join us, come on. Join the Team. Otherwise, you can stand there “bellyaching” alone, and we’ll go on to success without you and in spite of you.

    Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:03pm

      Sounds EXACTLY how a 16-year-old would react if you took YOUR Amex Black card away from them.

      Go, Hoosiers!

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • B_rad
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:10pm

      Bauer is a punk who led his Democrat losers into Illinois earlier this year to shut down our state government. This just shows who is really demonstrating good leadership skills.

      Report Post » B_rad  
    • rcw_68
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:30pm

      Dems are never happy…especially when their ideals are proven inefffective.

      By the way….”Indiana could teach Washington a thing or ?”“TOO””? Who writes this stuff? Go back to ““SKOOL””.

      Report Post »  
    • Marylou7
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:26pm

      Yeah Hoosiers!!

      Report Post » Marylou7  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:28pm

      Dems will never be happy with constantly being proven wron and ineffective.

      Report Post »  
    • jorge_washington
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:43pm

      What?

      President Clinton left this country with a surplus. Enter George Bush and the republicans who lowered taxes mainly on the rich. After which the US saw deficit after deficit, which in turn led to a record national debt, which led to raising the debt ceiling 7 times, which weaken the US dollar, which caused gold to explode, which in turn saw the rise of petroleum to a record of $150.00 per barrel. Yup the republicans sure like giving the people’s money to the rich.

      Enter President Obama…

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:55pm

      way to go ..libs suck !

      Report Post »  
    • Shane the Golden
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 6:18pm

      Hey Jorge Washington, if the progressive wing of the Republican party led by Geo. W Bush (the compassionate conservatives) had been fiscally responsible (truly conservative) then we would have maintained the surpluses of the Clinton years. Clinton following the Gingrich lead was one of his greatest accomplishments. TRUE CONSERVATIVES

      Report Post » Shane the Golden  
    • Shane the Golden
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 6:20pm

      TRUE CONSERVATIVES will never agree with the Bush deficits. He proved to be more progressive than he would ever admit. He gives Republicans a bad name, and leaves a foul taste in the mouths of fiscally responsible conservatives.

      Report Post » Shane the Golden  
    • BSdetector
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 6:23pm

      Something is missing in this thread… Oh yeah, the progressive trolls that frequent this site! Hmm, I wonder why they have nothing to say?

      Report Post » BSdetector  
    • dumboldcontractor
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 7:56pm

      JORGE_WASHINGTON
      I guess you didn’t notice that your Obamanator gave all the stimulus money and bail out money to the same rich folks he slams! But then again you are also probably unaware that the progressive agenda is financed and always has been by the old “Robber Barons” Mellon, J.P. Morgan, Chase, Rockefeller,Carnegie. You should really examine who makes your Kool aid!!!!

      Report Post » dumboldcontractor  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 10:42pm

      @Shane the Golden
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 6:18pm
      Hey Jorge Washington, if the progressive wing of the Republican party led by Geo. W Bush (the compassionate conservatives) had been fiscally responsible (truly conservative) then we would have maintained the surpluses of the Clinton years.
      ****
      Have you ever heard of 9/11, and a 3 day shut down of all financial businesses following, how about all the businesses that were located in the WTC and either had to completely re-organize or went out of business, all the taxpayers whose lives were lost in the attacks, all the people who survived and were disabled because of them, the need to rebuild part of the Pentagon?
      Next add the need for increased Homeland Security spending that suddenly followed tha attacks, and the (yes Congress DID Authorize It!) subsequent War on Terror. Add to that that the Dem’s took Congress, and the entire AIRFORCE BATTLE PLANS HAD TO BE RE-FORMULATED WHEN QUEEN NANCY INSISTED ON TAKING ONE OF THEIR BATTLE PLANES TO SHUTTLE HER BACK AND FORTH TO DC {This upset their squadron formations}! Now are you beginning to understand what happened to the Clinton, PROJECTED {as in not yet materialized!} budget surplus?

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • encinom
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 12:40am

      All the Hoosiers on the unemployment line must be jobing up for joy that there losted job is a politcal win for a tyrannt.

      Report Post »  
    • helicop
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 2:59am

      Jeorge_Washington:

      You need to get your history straight. Slick Willy didn’t have anything to do with the surplus you give him credit for. Look it up. It was a the republican house and senate that you denounce who forced Slick Willy to submit a budget in line with theirs not on his first or second time but try his fifth, that’s right, fifth time. It was called the “contract with America” and it worked but not because he wanted it to, because he was forced to by republicans. Get it right Whore Hay.

      Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 5:54am

      Of course they aren’t happy. It smashes their whole false bill of goods they are trying to sell to the public. GOVERNMENT DOES NOT CREATE JOBS. Way to go Indiana–thanks for proving it and coming out ahead.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 10:29am

      Fiscal accountability should start with Congress and the President not being paid, their budgets cut to zero and their campaign funds being seized. Followed by those of their staffs. Federal agencies that over spend should have the same happen to their leadership’s pay and budgets. Once upon a time I would have said that the President and Congress were spending money like drunken sailors. But then I realized that, at least a drunken sailor is spend his/her own money – so this would be an insult to drunken sailors everywhere.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • MartyTr
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 1:58pm

      Jorge, Newt saved Clinton, Pelosi damaged Bush. Stop speaking liberal speak where everything is the opposit of facts. As an ex-dem I smartened up. I voted for Clinton, not Bush, not Obama. Now I know the truth.

      Report Post »  
    • Hoosier Guy
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 8:27pm

      encinom

      “All the Hoosiers on the unemployment line must be jobing up for joy that there losted job is a politcal win for a tyrannt.”

      I am a Hoosier and for the record Indiana currently has an 8.2 percent unemployment rate. One full point below the national average and a budget SURPLUS! That is called leadership and being responsible with MY tax dollars (making tough decisions). Your theory that if we had a state budget deficit some how we would have more jobs is completly clueless. Governor Daniels has traveled overseas to Asia drumming up jobs for Indiana more times than the the president has for the U.S. Of course, I am sure Governor Daniels golf has suffered becuase of it unlike the president.

      Report Post »  
  • thegrassroots
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:20pm

    Idaho, A Republican State, Also Has A Surplus. Thanks To Idaho’s Governor Otter!

    Whereas, Washington state, a democrat state and Idaho’s neighbor, IS ALWAYS IN THE RED AND ALWAYS RAISING TAXES, year after year, after year, ad nauseam, ad infinitum!

    Report Post »  
    • Stehekin912
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:36pm

      I know. We’ve tried to stop it but the machine here is very powerful. Did you see the election map in the last cycle? WA is nearly all red except for a couple of places. And those couple of places run the entire state. Maybe those places will wake up. Hope so, and sooner rather than later.

      Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:13pm

      Years ago, some democratic “strategist” commented that any democratic state or national candidate could go to the top of the Space Needle and see all the votes needed to win election. Now we have a pretty-boy idiot (Jay Inslee) running for governor. He couldn’t win re-election in the conservative 4th district so he moved over to…guess where…Seattle and has won re-election ever since. As they say, you can’t fix stupid. Seattle is hopelessly stupid (democratic). Even when a viable republican runs (Dino Rossi) the vote machine located in the basement of the King county courthouse starts cranking out extra…read “accidentally overlooked” votes and hey presto! the democrat wins by a narrow margin. That is how Maria Cant(vote)well became senator in 2000. Slade Gordon decided not to dispute the highly questionable way Cantwell won because he allegedly didn’t want to embroil Washington in a debacle like what was going on in Florida at the time. At least we don’t have Gregoire running again. The only way a republican will be elected to the Governor’s chair or to the Senate is if the rest of the state votes overwhelmingly republican and the State Patrol locks the basement of the King County courthouse on election night.

      Report Post »  
    • JoeBtfsplk
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:59pm

      Is it because so many potheads live in WA? – I have to assume it is.

      Generally lazy and usually Democrats.

      Report Post »  
    • Alfred F. Jones
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 4:19pm

      Lets not mention ID other neighbor Oregon! Last cycle we were soooo close to having a Rep for gov.. But Portland voted the other way and we got a Dem. I think Washington also suffers with a one city decides the out come elections just like us. Idaho is just 40 mi from my house if that. I might just move there and get some clean air!

      Report Post » Alfred F. Jones  
    • mharry860
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 11:28pm

      No kidding I live in Spokane, only 30 miles to Idaho. Short move I’ve long dreamed of, but I need to wait for my kids to get out of school.

      Report Post » mharry860  
  • nysparkie
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:16pm

    Of course they are unhappy. They don’t control the taxpayers money enough. Give until it hurts then we’ll take even more. Dems…..gotta no, no no, not luv em. Put em on the middle of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Ya that’s it.

    Report Post » nysparkie  
  • BarryWhistlerSoetoro
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:15pm

    The word surplus is not in the democrat dictionary.

    Report Post » BarryWhistlerSoetoro  
    • Alucard
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:38pm

      The only time the word is used by them is when they talk about Clinton’s PROJECTED surplus for the Bush administration.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:54pm

      That’s right ALUCARD, and that ‘paper’ surplus didn’t take into account ANY unfunded liabilities.

      Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:15pm

    Lol! The dems in Indiana are itching from spending withdrawals! All that surplus money that’s not getting spent?? Gasp! Shock! Horror!

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • thegodfather
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:13pm

    Democrats are pissed. You know EXACTLY what they are thinking.

    “goddammit!…how did that money go unspent!”

    thegodfather  
    • MainMan
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 4:09pm

      “how did that money go unspent!”
      Godfather you quit just a little short. ” And why didn’t we get our cut damn it.”

      Report Post » MainMan  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:12pm

    Congratulations to the Hoosier’s please give lessons to all the other states. Of course this administration isn’t happy, you can’t control someone if they are debt free! And then you will make up all sorts of stories to bash them. Typical liberal commies! God help us and forgive them!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • 338lapua
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:26pm

      Getting to be a nice little club of well run states.
      Texas! Rick Perry
      Wisconsin….Yes Wisconsin we now have a 300million dollar surplus. Yeah Scott Walker!
      Indiana…Obviously Mitch Daniels.
      Even with what the regime did to him, I believe Bobby Jindal in Louisiana may have a surplus.
      Idaho…..sorry,that governors name is not making it through the clutter in my brain..sorry.
      Nikki Haley I believe I was told will have a surplus.
      Great company to be in! And for once in a VERY long time I am happy Wisconsin is sitting at the table with the grown-ups.

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:11pm

    The keynesian progressives simply can’t comprehend this they think higher taxes solves all problems.
    The refrain we constantly hear from these moronic progressives is “tax the rich” they’re not paying their fair share,they‘re right they aren’t, they’re paying too much.47% of Americans pay no income tax so they’re not paying their “fair share”.

    Good job Indiana keep up the good work.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:57pm

      And the hated rich (top 10% of wage earners) are paying 60% of the tax burden.

      Report Post »  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:35pm

      Viet Vet I believe that your post is incorrect. I will freely admit that I can be wrong but I think that the top 10% of the tax payers pay 70% of the taxes.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 7:28pm

      Top 1% pays 38%, top 5% pays 58.7% top 25% pays 86% poorest 40% pays 0 %
      Source: Tax foundation analysis of irs data.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 7:39pm

      http://www.taxfoundation.org/research/show/250.html#Data

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • ropati
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 1:05am

      One question: why does SHARED SACRIFICE not include 50% of the population? If fully half of those who benefit from America’s largesse pay no taxes, how can this be described as “shared” in any sense of the word? It seems to me that sacrifice assigned to only a small segment of the citizens should be termed “designated sacrifice.” It is ridiculous to describe someone else’s sacrifice as “shared.” Perhaps the term, “shared,” is another of those feel-good expressions that make us feel like we’re participating in something we are not. The only thing that is shared in this equation is the benefit that derives from these taxes. In reality, we have designated sacrifice/ shared benefit.

      Report Post »  
  • Maximus
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:10pm

    It‘s Bush’s fault!

    Report Post »  
  • Hiswill
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:08pm

    Obama, take some notes!

    Report Post » Hiswill  
  • Swamp Fawkes
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:07pm

    hey Indiana is right next door to me… I left Michigan to get away from that craziness, Maybe I should have headed to Indiana instead of Ohio.

    Report Post » Swamp Fawkes  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:14pm

      Ohio is right behind Indy. have you heard/read about Ohio’s 2yr budget? It is balanced, after Strickland’s $8B hole he left the state with….

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 8:25pm

      Geez, for IMPATIENT!

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • RED-DAWN
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:07pm

    What services are suffering as a result of the obsessive need to maintain a $1 billion surplus?”

    The question should be: Which families are suffering as a result of the prior mismanagement of tax funds?

    Impress me, answer that one, Jacka$$!

    Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:58pm

      “What services are suffering as a result of the obsessive need to maintain a $1 billion surplus?””

      If the democraps have to ask this, then the “services” weren’t very important.

      Report Post »  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Cut taxes. Cut spending. Pay off debt.

    Whodathunkit?

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:04pm

    If we could implant Mitch Daniels brain in to Romney’s head, we’d have a pretty good candidate. Maybe the next best thing is Perry. Face it folks, the Democrat lie machine is grinding away at Bachmann and they’ll have her polling as poorly with independents as Palin does in another 6 months…maybe sooner.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 10:55pm

      re : Bachmann polling as poorly as Palin in another 6 months!
      ***
      I’m certain I had an e-mail headline yesterday that Palin polled at 60% to lead some poll! They only poll poorly if true Conservatives let them, otherwise, we hang in their and DON‘T LET PROG’S AND THE MEDIA CHOOSE OUR CANDIDATE THIS TIME !
      I’D ESTIMATE THAT 60% OF THE McCain / Palin VOTE WAS ACTUALLY THEIR BECAUSE OF PALIN !

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • Redsfanforever
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:04pm

    I’m a hooiser and Mitch is hated by liberals in our state because of education cuts but this man has figured out a way to run business in a fair and balanced way. Not trying to quote Fox News but he has capped property taxes and been pro buisness since he was elected. I urged him to run for Pres but at this point he’s a no go I wish he would reconsider either him or Rick Perry please ! get in the race

    Report Post »  
    • saranda
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:56pm

      To really understand how education cuts affect both our kids and our country, you have to get involved at the local school level and start paying attention to class sizes and numbers teachers on staff. Education should be the last thing cut, at least at the classroom level, but for some reason it is usually the first.
      We, as Americans, whine about how we have lost our competitive advantage. Duh, it starts in the classroom and we are miles behind.
      Education should be sacred but instead we throw it in as an easy cut each time we tighten the belt.
      Not sure how deep Indiana cut education but to go to a surplus at the expense of schools is a big mistake. Balance a budget and if a surplus exists throw it into schools as far as I am concerned. We are becoming a nation of unthinking uneducated people.

      Report Post »  
    • inthedesert
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:58pm

      I’m a Hoosier who moved to California two years ago. I too wish Daniels would run for President. He has done a good job for Indiana and my husband and I voted for him both times. He also helped me when I had a problem. I emailed his office and a representative of his called me back the next day. Problem solved. I wish the state of California was even half as well. We came here for the great desert weather.

      As far as the Democrats, they always whine about everything if it’s not their idea. In Indiana, California and Washington, D.C.

      Report Post » inthedesert  
    • inthedesert
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:07pm

      @Saranda,

      Education doesn’t depend on the money. It depends mainly on the quality of the teachers. Teachers who are there because they want to teach, not just for the money. Our daughter went to public school in Indianapolis for kindergarten. We were able to send both of them to our Catholic School for the next four years. She was behind in First Grade because of the poor public schools. When they went back to public school, they were both a grade ahead in their knowledge. The teachers at the Catholic School made far less money than the public school teachers, but they did an exceptionally better job. Then after a couple of years of public school, we started home schooling because they were bored. Why? Because of “No child left behind”. The teachers kept going over the information until every child got it. Why get up at 5:30 in the morning to learn 5 minutes of new information a day?

      So I wish people would stop with the more money for education rants. More money doesn’t create a quality education.

      Report Post » inthedesert  
    • saranda
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 4:33pm

      @inthedesert – it is about the money. Classroom size goes a long way to providing the quality of education our kids deserve. And classroom size is directly linked to funding. Cutting funding usually results in higher classroom numbers and thus less attention.
      If you to reform the education and save money that way, then have at it. But the way it is structured now, money is a big determinant towards quality in our system.
      BTW, I have had too much bad experience with home schooled people both in my wife’s university classrooms and my workplace to have anything good to say about it. My experience is that these kids are usually narrowly focused in the areas the parents are interested in, and often end up being square pegs in round holes because of their lack of exposure to options available.
      Kind of a selfish approach to education IMHO.

      Report Post »  
    • BlazingInSC
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:55pm

      @Saranda – You are right, the classroom size plays a pivotal role in the quality of education. I don’t know about the state you live in, but in South Carolina, 84% of every dollar spent on education goes to administration – leaving only 16% to the classrooms. I‘ve heard it’s pretty much the same in most of the other states. Perhaps, you can stop looking at what you perceive to be the problem, and look at the actual root of the problem. The schools don’t need more money – they need better allocation of resources. Private schools outperform public schools with less money because their focus is on classroom spending and not paying a batallion of administrators in each school district. Something to think about.

      Report Post »  
    • SHASTADIANE1
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 6:07pm

      saranda@ Sorry to disagree with you, but it has not been my experience with home schooled children. Also, being 60 plus years old, I remember the days of 1 teacher teaching a class of 30 plus, many times 32 or 33 children, sometimes even 2 grades in the same room. No teachers aides, no help other than that one teacher, TEACHING. Not checking out FB or reading from her computer while the kids “work on their own”, or many other things my grandchildren have told me go on in their classrooms in grade school and in high school. I have family who have 2 Master’s Degrees, and another with one. When they graduated from college, they couldn’t hold down a job as a Secretary! They didn’t have the skills required. I graduated from high school and had no problem. My experience with home schooled children, is that they learn a lot more history, geography, and not so much indoctrination. Especially if you have devoted parents who have the support of other like parents, and if they choose the right home school programs. I wish ALL of my grandchildren had been home schooled now. I didn’t feel that way at one time, but I have since learned and experienced more about it. Listened also to some of these homeschooled kids, and seen the things they have to know. It would sort of like us having to take that 8th grade grad test our grandparents or parents even had to take. I’d flunk it, hands down.

      Report Post »  
    • My Two Cents
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 6:47pm

      Saranda: We spend more of our GDP on education than most other nations around the globe. Something is wrong but it ain’t the money.

      Report Post »  
    • saranda
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 7:22pm

      Maybe allocation is the bigger problem, but cutting education funding always ends up with larger class sizes and never smaller admin. An overhaul is the ultimate answer but for now cutting funding is the wrong thing to do.
      As for homeschooling, I stand by my observations. Home schooling provides little in the way of variety of experience which leads to kids with no world vision and thus not much use to me in business. As for career choices, you have to have exposure to many types of people and their life’s work to make a decision that is not solely influenced by your parents. Parents may want the best for their children, but they cannot teach what they don’t know, or expose to things they have no exposure to. School plays an important role in childhood development and to homeschool deprives of much of the development.

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 11:15pm

      @aranda
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:56pm
      To really understand how education cuts affect both our kids and our country, you have to get involved at the local school level and start paying attention to class sizes and numbers teachers on staff. Education should be the last thing cut, at least at the classroom level, but for some reason it is usually the first
      ****
      Have you noticed that since the 1980′s at least, Home Schoolers, and Private Christian Schools are totally better educated at a smidgeon of the cost, and very low teacher levels. The difference, possibly curriculum and the ability of Good teachers to teach in innovative ways if their students need it. These schools too, have standardized tests they must take, and if a student doesn‘t learn what’s needed for the next grade, he doesn’t progress to it until he has. Then the student is prepared for what comes at the next level of education. When my own child who was quite intelligent was more interested in following the leader than working up to potential, I put her into a very small Christian school for 2 1/2 yrs. When she went to public high school, the academic counselor said, “For most I wouldn’t advise it, but it certainly worked for her! ” The difference in cost, over a $1000 per year, per student from the government to the school,(Christian school $0) of course they tried to convince me it would destroy her future, but now she appreciates it!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
    • propel7
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 3:26am

      Ever since the Feds got involved with handing out cash to schools, the system has eroded to what it is now. It is obvious that MONEY does not fix the problem. Maybe in a linear world, but this aint one. Cut money to schools that do not perform and eliminate the cheaters (Atlanta). Money ultimately buys votes and enslaves the people to those who TAKE. Money provides an incentive for those who figure out ways to take it. Politicians and UNIONS have robbed all they can get. We don’t even need schools or teachers in a modern age due to computers. If I were a teacher, I would really be considering this one. Knowledge is at our fingertips. Discipline went down the road in our schools because the feds have been manipulating our culture and imposing their socialistic ideas on us. So you can’t even argue the discipline thing. Schools have become a joke and the teachers and their unions have become bloodsuckers that think they are secure. Think again. Internet and computers have made you OBSOLETE. lol. Better figure that out. You money will be redirected to a far more efficient place of educating our kids. You have failed. Look around at all the dummies you just pointed out…teacher.

      Report Post »  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 6:31am

      We spend WAY to much here in indiana on Education, we do not need more raw dollars, we need better allocation of those dollars, some Districts get up words of $15,000 per student per year that is MORE than enough to provide them with a 1st class education, but most of it is wasted.

      And yes teachers are in part to blame, and the Teachers union whom the teachers support is also to blame.

      Voucher programs are the only solutions, but teachers will not support them because they do not want to actually have to justify their jobs, they just expect the tax payers to hand over more and more money and get the same results

      Report Post » the_ancient  
    • hopetochange2012
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 12:48pm

      Saranda. This country outspends every other country trying to educate its children….and yet, the results are dismal. Throwing more money at public schools only blows up the bureaucracy…..kids remain uneducated. The money never makes it down to the classrooms, and so the “$$ per child” is not accurate. Deflate and trim the administration offices. Need an example? Look at Catholic Schools which spend much less per child, yet can educate their students well. Administration costs are kept at a minimum.

      Report Post »  
  • jackbauer2012
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:03pm

    And to think they were able to spend less money and the Government is still open. I thought that was impossible. lol

    Report Post »  
  • jackbauer2012
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:02pm

    They are crazed that a surplus is coming on the heals of suffering citizens in Indiana. That may be true but it shows that a smaller government spends less. And in the end of the year there is more money in the coffers in case an emergency comes. I like how those who are needy will have to rely more on families, churches, and local governments more. This is how our Founding Fathers intended things to be.

    Report Post »  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:00pm

    Isn’t a surplus the same thing as a profit? How can government show a profit? Shouldn’t they tax only the amount they need to operate? Isn’t this over taxing?

    Report Post » Thighmaster  
    • TomBombadil
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:05pm

      Surpluses are a smart thing. Think of it less like a profit and more like a savings account. There may come a time when Indiana will need to spend more than they brought in. Past surpluses can be the salvation there. OR, as is the case with the U.S. federal government, one could pay down a debt with it.

      Surplus is good. Too much surplus? I’d agree then, that’s probably over-taxation. But, it seems like Indiana, right now, is the place to be.

      Report Post » TomBombadil  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:45pm

      at this moment, the $1.18 billion surplus does not meet the 10 percent budget surplus amount required for an automatic taxpayer refund which state lawmakers passed earlier this year.
      ———————————————————————————————————————–
      When they reach the 10% mark the people get a tax refund (smart move)

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
    • AmericanCountry
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:21pm

      Well since we have a surplus, aka “profit”, we can keep in savings until it is drastically needed, and if it is not needed, then taxes should go down just to maintain the governments operations.

      Report Post »  
    • wamam42
      Posted on July 17, 2011 at 9:07am

      Depends on the state’s constitution.

      Report Post »  
  • Blitz
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:59pm

    This isn’t possible. The only way to have a surplus is to raise taxes….. Or that’s what some would have you believe and 80% would support it….????

    Report Post »  
    • Truthbeliever2
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:15pm

      @ Blitz

      It’s easy you get budget surplus b/c the state gov‘t no longer has to waste money on useless gov’t employees. That’s where the money comes from WITHOUT raising taxes.

      Why in the world is this so hard for LIEbrals to understand?

      Do you have a budget? B/c if you did you might get this. You probably get all the money you need by taxing your parents, so you’ve never seen money come to you any other way.

      Go home LIB and raid the taxes on your parents so you can go out tonight.

      Report Post » Truthbeliever2  
    • Truthbeliever2
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 1:20pm

      @ BLITZ

      If that was sarcasm I apologize… Kinda hard to tell…

      Report Post » Truthbeliever2  
    • Blitz
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:15pm

      uh… I was kidding.

      Report Post »  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:58pm

    Go Mitch Daniels!!!! You have accomplished what this administration could not because they don’t want to…..They want to drive us all into the ditches!

    Report Post »  
  • 12thArticle
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:58pm

    Accounting tricks? Its called spending less than you take in.

    Report Post »  
  • younowknow
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:57pm

    What a Surprise – Math works.

    Report Post » younowknow  
    • Neesey
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 4:47pm

      That made me laugh out loud….Indeed. If you remember the three R’s altogether…there would never be a problem…
      “(w)rite the proposal for the budget
      Read and slash what truly doesn’t belong
      “rithmetic it to see that you gain instead of spend more than you have. MAGIC!!

      Report Post »  
    • Mil Mom
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 11:28pm

      @younowknow
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:57pm
      What a Surprise – Math works
      ****
      But only if someone bothered to tell you 2+2=3 is a wrong answer and took the chance to harm your self-esteem!

      Report Post » Mil Mom  
  • An AmericanMom
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:57pm

    Great job guys…..maybe someone can send Obama a friendly note about your plan…..
    because he is CLUE-LESS!

    Report Post » An AmericanMom  
  • Casca
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:56pm

    Evidently Indiana did not need P-Boma‘s ’help’.

    Report Post » Casca  
  • ares338
    Posted on July 16, 2011 at 12:55pm

    You know the Dems are frothing at the mouth to spend this surplus. They can’t help it. It’s a sickness. Really it is!

    Report Post » ares338  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:03pm

      You are exactly right ARES338. With socialists there is never enough money to spend. There is no point in taxes or programs where a socialist will say: ok, that’s enough, we’ll stop there.

      Report Post »  
    • Wigglesworth
      Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:06pm

      Yup! The only thing that pains the Dummiecrats more than staring at a surplus they can’t spend is watching Indiana send it all back to the taxpayers which might happen next year.

      Report Post » Wigglesworth  
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