Getting legislative priorities in order

This session of the Indiana General Assembly promises to be a busy session. By law, the legislative work this spring must end by March 14, but already more than 500 bills have been filed. Some of the bills are urgent matters worthy of time, money and the public debate; many are not.\nIndiana Republicans, who control both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor's office, are on the front line of the agenda. The details of many of their proposals have not been made public, and much of the debate in the closely divided Indiana House of Representatives might hinge on those details. So far, though, the skeletal outline of what House Republicans wish to pursue this legislative session looks at least promising.\nWe hope a proposal from House Republicans to impose limits on property tax increases and help rein outrageous levels of property taxes gains some traction. Many local governments rely heavily on property taxes to make ends meet. Property tax values in Indiana have been steadily rising and could rise more this coming year. These higher levies are burdens to Hoosier families. Although the details of addressing the property tax problem are not yet known, the legislature should explore options into stemming unnecessary increases and help local governments find financial solutions.\nAlong with tax issues, the legislature should focus equally on the issue of education. The Indiana Daily Student reported Friday that a recent survey by IU's Center for Evaluation and Education Policy shows many Hoosiers feel K-12 education in the state doesn't get the money it deserves. There is also a growing desire to provide full-day kindergarten to all students in the state.\nThe legislature must be aware that education is the silver bullet. As state Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington, told the IDS, we must continue focusing on public education in the state to close the achievement gap. It's important, too, to echo the sentiment expressed by three-quarters of those surveyed: Indiana must firmly oppose cuts to K-12 funding to balance the state budget.\nBut there are legislative issues that will once again dominate headlines and steal time from more pressing matters. One such bill that might steal headlines is the first direct attempt to eliminate abortion in the state. A proposal from Rep. Troy Woodruff, R-Vincennes, would make abortion illegal in Indiana. Woodruff told The Associated Press he filed the bill because he believes the recent openings on the U.S. Supreme Court would allow state to appeal the Roe v. Wade decision. \nGov. Mitch Daniels told the AP his sense was that Woodruff's bill "would have a very limited prospect of ultimate success."\nDaniels is right. Let's focus more on property tax relief and education, the issues that greatly affect Hoosiers, rather than punitive and divisive bill proposals that will waste time and money.