NEWS RELEASE
ForImmediate Release: July 17, 2008
Media Contact: Jeff Harris, 317-635-5455
LONG THOMPSON: DANIELS SHOULD RETURN SURPLUSDOLLARS TO HOOSIER FAMILIES
INDIANAPOLIS- Today Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson issued thefollowing statement in response to state's fiscal year close-out numbers, whichreport a projected $1.4 billion surplus.
"Today's news is furtherproof that Mitch Daniels can and should take immediate action to help the hardworking Hoosier families that his policies and failed leadership have hurt most.
This surplus was createdon the backs of working people - through the increases in property, sales,cigarette and local taxes that Mitch Daniels forced through - and he shouldgive it back. All across Indiana,Hoosiers are struggling to cope with the skyrocketing costs of health care,food, fuel, taxes and even their mortgage payments while state government issitting on this windfall.
While in Congress, Inever voted to raise taxes because I understand the burden it places onfamilies. As Governor, I will keep that same philosophy of putting peoplefirst. I will restructure our entire tax code to make Indiana more attractivefor businesses and equitable for our families. And, as Governor, I will cap thesales tax Indiana charges on fuel to help permanently reduce the cost of gas.
So, today, with thisbudget surplus, I call on Governor Daniels to use his authority to suspend thestate's 7 percent sales tax on gas. Indiana is one of only 7 states to evencharge a sales tax on gas. We have the money to do it and it would go a longway in helping Hoosiers families get back on higher economic ground. It's theleast he can do."
Knownfor her ability to get things done, Jill Long Thompson is an accomplishedpublic servant. She has served as a city councilor, a Congresswoman and as UnderSecretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture.Long Thompson grew up on her family's farm in rural Whitley County and was thefirst in her family to go to college. She received her undergraduate degreefrom Valparaiso University and went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. in businessfrom Indiana University. A farmer andcollege professor by trade, Long Thompson lives with her husband Don Thompson, acommercial airline pilot, on their farm in Marshall County.
Formore information about Jill Long Thompson or her campaign, please visit www.hoosiersforjill.com or call317-635-Jill.
###
