Dorothy Schneider, writing for the Lafayette Journal & Courier, and with an assist from Mary Beth Schneider of the Indianapolis Star has an article suggesting that lawmakers view Kernan-Shepard reforms as unlikely for this year. Kernan-Shepard is the report released by Chief Justice Shepard and former Governor Kernan just over two years ago with recommendations for local government restructuring.
Among other things, it basically advocated getting rid of townships, revamping County government into something that looks a lot like Unigov, replacing elected officials like Sheriff, Coroner, and Assessor with appointed officials, and increase the size of school districts.
There was a fairly big push last year that couldn’t get past the Senate Republicans. Getting past the House Democrats probably would have been even tougher. So, this election year it looks like everyone is going to cite more pressing issues and try nibbling around the edges. Townships will get some attention – they are probably the lowest hanging fruit since your average citizen doesn’t really understand what they do. I doubt counties or sheriffs will get any attention at all.
Instead of seeking to eliminate township governments, during the legislative session that begins Tuesday they’ll try to change how they work. One Senate bill, for example, would do away with township advisory boards. A House bill would replace township trustees with a single countywide advocate for the poor.
Instead, legislators seem likely to work on property tax reforms, legislative ethics and lobbying reforms, and state finances. Seems to me the General Assembly has worked over our property tax situation pretty thoroughly over the past couple of years and they should just let it work a little while to see where the bugs are. I’m skeptical, but I don’t see the lobbying reforms going anywhere. But, figuring out what to do with our state finances looks like a fairly pressing problem. Maybe there will be more budget balancing on the backs of local government. That will lead to more state lawmakers righteously bemoaning the overspending of local government. And, maybe that will, in turn, give new life to the Kernan-Shepard recommendations.
About all I do not agree with in Kernan-Shepard is taking the Sheriff of the elected official lists. We really do need to get townships. And get more taxing power to the locals. Madison County is furloughing employees. Muncie is a wreck.