Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined 41 other attorneys general recently to ask Congress to extend soon-to-be expired tax relief for distressed homeowners.
Under the federal Mortgage Debt Relief Act, in effect since 2007, mortgage debt that is forgiven after a foreclosure or short sale or through a loan modification may be excluded from a taxpayer’s calculation of taxable income. This exclusion only applies to mortgage debt forgiven on primary residences, not second homes, and is set to expire on Dec. 31.
“We believe if Congress does not extend this critical tax exclusion into next year, struggling homeowners and the slowing improving housing market will take a setback,†Zoeller said. “Failure to act means Hoosier homeowners who have received mortgage debt relief could be hit with a tax bill they simply can’t afford.â€
An extension for 2014 is included in the Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act (S. 1187 and H.R. 2788), both of which are in committee; it is uncertain when these critical bills may be considered. The current Ryan-Murray budget proposal does not include the exemption provision.
Zoeller said the expiration comes at a time when the housing market, while still fragile, has shown signs of gradual improvement over the last year. Data shows that home prices have increased this year, and the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index reported gains of 12 percent or more. CoreLogic has also estimated that 2.5 million more families have had their homes returned to positive equity in the second quarter of 2013.
Last year, Zoeller joined 41 other attorneys general in successfully persuading Congress to extend these benefits into 2013.
Click here to view the letter sent by attorneys general to Congress.
Zoeller urges Congress to extend tax relief for struggling homeowners
The “Official” EVSC Announcement about the School’s Report Card
EVSC School Grades See Improvements
Fifty-one percent (18) schools in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation again received an “A†or showed improvement in Indiana’s 2012-13 accountability grading system. School grades were made official during today’s State Board of Education meeting.
Beginning with the 2010-11 academic year, the State Board of Education changed the labels for school categories based on student performance from the terms Exemplary, Commendable, Academic Progress, Academic Watch and Academic Probation to letter grades (A, B, C, D and F).
Thirty-seven percent of EVSC schools showed improvement by one or more letter grades this year. Nine schools increased their ranking by two or more grades. Helfrich Park STEM Academy increased by three letter grades to a “B†and Tekoppel Elementary increased by three grades to an “A.â€
Superintendent David Smith said that he credits the work of teachers in the EVSC and the corresponding work of their students for the gains made in just one year. In recent years, the EVSC has strengthened its dedication to providing rigorous and challenging curriculum for high achieving students, and begun a focused intervention program for those who struggle. “We know that high functioning teams with a focus on a rigorous common curriculum, engaging differentiated instruction, common assessments, and data driven interventions will ensure that each student will reach their maximum potential,†Smith said. “Great people working together can do extraordinary things.â€
Velinda Stubbs, chief academic officer, said the EVSC Administration is very proud of teachers’ work. “The increases in grades are a direct reflection of their dedication to our students and new initiatives that have been undertaken,†Stubbs said. “The numbers of schools receiving an “A,†“B,†or “C†has increased by 8, for a total of 23 of the EVSC schools. And, furthermore – those schools who received a failing grade last year, have been reduced by nearly half in one year.â€
School grades for EVSC schools are:
El/MiddleSchool 2013 2012
Caze Elem. F F
Cedar Hall D F
Cynthia Hts A A
Daniel Wertz C F
Delaware B C
Dexter Elem. F F
Evans Middle F F
Fairlawn C F
Glenwood F F
Harper B D
Hebron B C
Helfrich Park B F
Highland A A
Lincoln F F
Lodge F F
McGary F F
North JHS C F
Oak Hill A A
Perry Heights D C
Plaza Park C C
Scott Elem. A A
Stockwell C F
Stringtown D D
Tekoppel A D
Thompkins D D
Vogel Elem. C D
Washington F F
West Terrace C C
High Schools 2013 2012
Bosse High C C
Central High B C
Harrison C C
North High B B
Reitz High B B
New Tech B D
AIS- HS F F
VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES
Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, December 19, 2013
MICHAEL CAIN THEFT- CLASS D FELONY
JEREMY DIX OPERATING A VEHICLE AS AN HABITUAL TRAFFIC VIOLATOR-
CLASS D FELONY
JONATHON HOEHN OPERATING A VEHICLE AS AN HABITUAL TRAFFIC VIOLATOR-
CLASS D FELONY
OPERATING A VEHICLE WHILE INTOXICATED-CLASS D FELONY
FAILURE TO STOP AFTER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO AN
ATTENDED VEHICLE-CLASS C MISDEMEANOR
CARL E. BLOCK DEALING IN METHAMPHETAMINE-CLASS B FELONY
TREVOR DEWEESE VOYEURISM-CLASS D FELONY
JACKIE GLOVER POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-CLASS D FELONY
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-CLASS D FELONY
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA-CLASS A MISDEMEANOR
POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA-CLASS A MISDEMEANOR
WILLIAM JACKSON POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE-CLASS B FELONY
DEALING IN A LOOK-A-LIKE SUBSTANCE-CLASS C FELONY
UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE-CLASS D FELONY
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA-CLASS D FELONY
DUSTIN KINNEY CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, CLASS D FELONY
WILLIAM KIVINEMI JR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-CLASS D FELONY
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-CLASS D FELONY
SAMUEL NEWBOLD POSSESSION OF A NARCOTIC DRUG-CLASS D FELONY
Eric Aster Theft – Class D Felony (Two Counts)
John Bradley Theft – Class D Felony
Jeffrey Chumley Theft – Class D Felony
Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury – Class A Misdemeanor
Amanda Collins Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class D Felony
Theft – Class D Felony
Jory Crawford Theft – Class D Felony
Angel Enriquez Strangulation – Class D Felony
Domestic Battery – Class A Misdemeanor
Interference with the Reporting of a Crime – Class A Misdemeanor
Kristen Johnson Theft – Class D Felony
Kammy Montero Theft – Class D Felony
Alexis Nagle Theft – Class D Felony
Brandi Taylor Theft – Class D Felony
Joseph Valenzuela Possession of Methamphetamine – Class D Felony
Theft – Class D Felony
Kathy Wall Domestic Battery – Class D Felony
REBECCA MARKEY POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-CLASS D FELONY
POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE-CLASS D FELONY
THEFT-CLASS D FELONY
NATHAN NELSON THEFT-CLASS D FELONY
PAULA SEARS THEFT-CLASS D FELONY
BRANDON POOLE DOMESTIC BATTERY- Class D FELON
TIMOTHY STIFF THEFT – Class D FELONY
BATTERY RESULTING IN BODILY INJURY- Class A MISDEMEANOR
(Two Counts)
KOREY CATLETT OPERATING A VEHICLE AS AN HTV- Class D FELONY
DEANDRA HOGAN DOMESTIC BATTERY- Class D FELONY
For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org
Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Holli Sullivan Announces Candidacy for Indiana House District 78
Holli Sullivan is announcing her candidacy to be the next representative for Indiana House District 78.
“We have been very fortunate to have had the leadership of Suzanne Crouch for the last 8 years and I plan to continue that leadership for the citizens of HD 78,†said Sullivan.
Sullivan has a history in public service. Sullivan is a 2010 graduate of the Richard G Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series. She founded and served as President of the political group Women Right of Center which has been active in providing information to the voting public on issues and candidates. She has served on a local level as a member of the Vanderburgh County Central Committee and the Minority Women’s Business Enterprise Board. Holli has also served on a state level as a member of the Joint Workforce Investment Board.
“Our next state representative will need to be someone that can hit the ground running, both as a legislator and a candidate. My strong work ethic, relationships with current legislators and ability to work with others to resolve problems will be essential to representing our district this year. I am also well suited to run a strong campaign in the fall as I have served on the election committees of numerous local and state candidates,†said Sullivan.
Sullivan is a graduate of Castle High School and currently lives on the north side of Evansville with her husband Chad and her three children, Dalton, Savannah and Sawyer. Holli and her family are members of Family Bible Church. Holli, an Industrial Engineer, worked for General Motors and Toyota and most recently as a consultant for the University of Southern Indiana’s Center for Applied Research.
The Arts Council announces January Brown Bag Schedule
The Brown Bag Performance Series is a free program offered to the community by the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. The series runs weekly from October through April at the Arts Council’s BSF Gallery, located at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville. The Brown Bag Performance Series is every Wednesday at noon. It is encouraged to bring your lunch and a friend and enjoy the free local performances. The Brown Bag Series is made possible in part by the Mesker Music Trust, managed by Fifth Third Investment Advisors. Below is the weekly schedule for January.
1/8/14 –Angelus: Dedicated to the performance of sacred music of varied religious traditions and historical periods, Angelus is comprised of six young women from Mt. Vernon Senior High School (Mt. Vernon, IN). Performing music ranging from medieval chant and polyphony to the American Sacred Harp tradition and contemporary Irish choral works, Angelus is strongly influenced by the American quartet Anonymous 4 and the Irish ensemble Anuna. The ensemble has traveled to eleven states performing concerts in the metropolitan areas of Charleston, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York and San Francisco. The ensemble will return to San Francisco this summer for a series of concerts. In 2012, Angelus earned the “Ensemble Arts Award†from the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. In February, 2014, they will present a main-stage concert at the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Conference to be held in Cincinnati, OH.
1/15/14 – Harlaxton Quintet: The Harlaxton Quintet is the woodwind quintet-in-residence at the University of Evansville. The quintet has appeared many times in the area in formal concerts as well as in education concerts in area schools.
1/22/14 –University of Evansville Opera: Students from the University of Evansville’s undergraduate opera theater program will perform at the Arts Council’s Brown Bag Series, with Jon Truitt as the instructor.
1/29/14 – Summer Bennett & Kristi Miller: Award winning recital and operatic singer, Summer Bennett, will perform with accompanist, Kristi Miller to round out the Arts Council’s January Brown Bag Series.
Contact: Reva Bourgasser Phone: (812) 422-2111 Reva.bourgasser@artswin.org 318 Main Street Suite 101 Evansville, IN 47708 www.artswin.org ARTS COUNCIL OF SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA
Tourism industry is one of state’s biggest
By Jacie Shoaf
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Tourism and travel is the state’s sixth largest industry, not including government, according to a new economic impact report released Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.
The industry maintains nearly 140,000 jobs and contributes $10 billion in revenue to Indiana businesses, the report said.
“This economic impact study confirms the fact that the travel, tourism and hospitality industry is a crucial segment of the Indiana economy,†Ellspermann said. “My office is committed to promoting Indiana tourism and providing support to our partners in the industry.â€
The study reveals that in 2012, the travel, tourism and hospitality industry constituted roughly 1.5 percent of Indiana’s total gross domestic product, 4.8 percent of total jobs and 6.3 percent of state and local tax receipts.
The study took into account Super Bowl XLVI, which was responsible for roughly half of the industry’s 5.2 percent growth in 2012.
In addition, the study finds that tourism pays direct wages of more than $3 billion to full and part-time industry employees and that Indiana retains approximately 76 percent of each dollar spent by visitors.
Furthermore, 40 Indiana counties chose to invest in a research cooperative that provided them county-specific reports to document the impact of tourism at the local level.
The study, which defines tourism as an overnight stay or a trip greater than 50 miles each way that is not part of an individual’s normal routine, is the first study of its kind to be produced in eight years. It will help measure future developments in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
“This report illustrates the economic benefit Indiana derives from tourism and is the first such report in some time,†said Mark Newman, the tourism department’s executive director. “It serves as a necessary benchmark to begin measuring the growth or decline of tourism as an economic driver for the state on a more regular basis.â€
The study was commissioned by tourism officials and conducted by Rockport Analytics, with managing director and chief economist Ken McGill acting as head of the research team. Rockport Analytics is an independent market research and consulting company that specializes in various studies for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
“Our research shows Indiana earns a significant positive return from a minimal investment in the tourism industry,†McGill said. “The data demonstrates that Indiana has the potential to develop even greater economic development returns through a robust tourism economy.â€
The study used data on Indiana visitor spending derived from multiple sources, including Longwoods International, Reach Market Planning and U.S. Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. The data was reconciled with information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics the Indiana Department of Revenue regarding employment and tax receipts, as well as secondary sources such as Smith Travel Research.
Jacie Shoaf is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Report shows biz tax elimination shifts burdens to others
By Lesley Weidenbener
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Mike Pence’s plan to eliminate the tax on business equipment would mean significantly higher taxes for other property owners if the state took no specific action to protect them, according to a new analysis.
The proposal would also mean big losses for local governments – unless another tax was created or increased to make up for the revenue.
And to do so with the individual income tax would mean a statewide average increase of more than three-quarters of a percent, according to the report from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.
That could mean an additional $577 a year for a family with taxable income of $75,000. And for residents of the state’s more manufacturing-heavy counties, the amount would be substantially higher – as much as three times more.
Interactive map
Click the map below to see how large of an income tax increase would be needed in each county to replace the personal property tax.
“It all depends on the mix of the properties you have that you’re able to tax,†said David Bottorff, executive director of the Association of Indiana Counties.
“Ironically, it’s the communities that in general have been the economic hubs that are hurt the most – Howard County, Spencer, Gibson, Lake – the counties that have a lot of job creation and they rely on the personal property tax to help hold down everybody’s taxes,†Bottorff said. If the personal property tax is eliminated, “those are the ones that pick up the biggest shifts and the losses. It’s really a statewide issue but those are the communities that have the most to lose.â€
The personal property tax is imposed on equipment used by businesses. Personal property can be a photographer’s camera or an automaker’s metal stamping machine or a newspaper’s printing press and it makes up about 14.5 percent of the state’s taxable property value.
Currently, the tax generates nearly $1.1 billion for cities, counties, schools, libraries and other local governments, according to the Legislative Services Agency report.
But Pence says it’s an impediment to business development and so he wants to dump it, a proposal that’s been backed for years by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
The tax “discourages companies from investing in new technology and the expansion of their businesses,†Pence said in a speech this month. “As the most manufacturing-intensive state in the nation, we are holding back new capital investment because of our business personal property tax.â€
However, Pence has not said how – or if – he will back replacement revenue for local governments. He says he’ll leave that decision to the General Assembly.
And his office had no comment on the new report. His press secretary, Kara Brooks, said, “Our policy team has not seen the report yet and this is the first I’ve seen of it as well.â€
The report, which was released Monday, provides a peek into some of the options, although it advocates no position.
The report found that:
Eliminating the personal property tax without other changes would shift costs to other property owners.
That’s because local governments establish levies – which represent the total they aim to collect – and then that amount is split among taxpayers. If one group – such as those that own business equipment – is eliminated, then others pay more.
LSA estimates the shift in this case could mean the owners of so-called real property – which includes homes, buildings and land – would pay about $375 million more annually. Homeowners would be the largest single class of property owners to pay more.
The total shift would be higher but the state has limited property tax bills. So as tax bills increase, more property owners would hit the cap, reducing revenue to local governments.
Replacing revenue with income taxes would mean significantly higher rates in some counties.
Pence has not advocated any way to replace revenue lost if the personal property tax is eliminated, but in similar situations, policy makers have turned to the local income tax as a makeup option.
The LSA report finds that to fully replace the lost revenue, counties would need to boost their income tax rates by an average of 0.77 percentage points – but the amount varies widely.
In Brown County, it would take an income tax increase of just .10 percentage points (about $75 a year for a family with income of $75,000) compared to a 2.78 percentage point increase in Spencer County (an increase of $2,085 for the same family).
The combination of tax caps and the elimination of the personal property tax means local government would lose about $554 million annually.
Without other changes or replacement revenue, cities and towns would be hit hardest by the elimination of the personal property tax, with about $175 million in total losses, according to the report.
Schools would also be big losers – about $151 million.
Additionally, tax increment finance districts – often calls TIFs – would lose significant revenue. Those districts are set up to capture tax revenue to use for special projects, usually to pay off bonds associated with construction or infrastructure improvements.
Pence has said repeatedly that he doesn’t want to “unduly†burden local governments. And he’s proposed a phase-out of the tax so the impact doesn’t hit at once.
“We will work to empower communities and local governments in this process,†Pence said. “Time and economic growth should be our friends here, making it possible to phase out the tax while protecting local governments.â€
But key fiscal leaders – including Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville – have said there are significant issues lawmakers must tackle. Among them is how to make up the revenue – and who should do so.
Kenley said a key decision is whether businesses that are benefitting from the elimination of the personal property tax should be the ones who pay, rather than shifting the burden to individuals.
That could require creating a new tax, something the LSA report doesn’t address.
Lesley Weidenbener is executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
IS IT TRUE December 26, 2013
IS IT TRUE December 26, 2013
IS IT TRUE that Vanderburgh County Republican Party Chairman Wayne Parke took an opportunity that we at the CCO left open regarding keeping elected officials who are essentially lifetime politicians from running for office again to challenge our assertion?…that this came after someone wanted to know what we would have to say about a politician that has a high job approval rating?…our response was pretty much that an approval rating of over 60% for an incumbent may just merit an exception to the “toss the retreads out†theory?…Mr. Parke claimed that Republican Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke has a current approval rating above 60% and asked if we would make an exception for Mayor Winnecke?…our response was and is yes if the poll was done by a 3rd party and the makeup of those polled reflects and accurate assessment of the general population?…we have offered to publish the poll that Mr. Parke is referring to without edit, opinion, or bias and we will most certainly do so?…we would remind Mr. Parke that back in 2007 then Mayor Weinzapfel had an approval rating above 60% and actually defeated Republican non-candidate David Nixon by a margin of 85 – 15?…it seems as though second terms and hubris are the undoing of many politicians from Tricky Dick Nixon, to former Mayor Weinzapfel, and to the current President of the United States?…we would like to know what Mr. Parke thinks about the once very highly approved President Obama a scant 13 months since he was re-elected and how that could easily parallel Evansville politics?
IS IT TRUE a shareholder of Old National Bank who is not exactly thrilled about the proposed $14 Million investment that the bank is contemplating in the downtown convention hotel?…this person asked us to remind our readers that ONB has 100.69 million outstanding shares that sell for about $15.75 each?…that would mean that a $14 Million investment by this publicly traded bank would represent roughly 14 cents for each outstanding share or 1% of the value of each share?…that amounts to just under half of the dividend that each share pays annually?…ONB during the last five years has traded as high as $18.16 per share and as low as $9.22 per share?…one thing for sure is that a $14 Million investment of shareholder dollars is certainly something that ONB can afford to do but it is not a trivial amount when compared to annual earnings or the scheduled dividend?…none of the shareholders who have spoken with the CCO would accept their dividends in shares or warrants in a downtown convention hotel in Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that for a city that touts itself as a burgeoning tourist destination Evansville on Christmas Day is not an inviting place to look for an open restaurant?…of course there are scattered Chinese Buffets and a few other restaurants that had limited hours?…this is not any way to capture tourism or even people who are already tired of turkey to come to town for the Holidays?…while the CCO understands that restaurant workers do not wish to work on Christmas we also know that cities that have real tourism find ways to deal with this?…of the two restaurants that one visitor ate at today the food was mediocre and the service was even worse with the wait staff openly grousing in front of customers that they should not be working?…this shortcoming made a real impression?…the state law forbidding the sale of even so much as a glass of wine on Christmas drew a comment overheard to the extent of “you Hoosiers do know it is 2013 don’t you?â€â€¦ in all seriousness this is a problem for people in town for anything other than a family gathering that lasts 24 hours?
IS IT TRUE during the final 5 IS IT TRUE columns of 2013 the CCO will begin to articulate some things that we hope to see happen in 2014 to make Evansville a better place to live and a more worthy place to visit?…the first of which is of course a new MASTER PLAN to replace the woefully obsolete thing that DMD claims is a fine plan in need of an update?…that is about as observant as if American Airlines said the Wright Brothers plane needs to be updates for passenger service?