The Reporter’s own Ray Adler had a seat at the table during a recent “grassroots meeting” with state officials held at the Governor’s Mansion. (Reporter photo)
Discussions on water use, land regulation, property taxes & local government
By RAY ADLER
news@readthereporter.com
Governor Mike Braun has been holding grassroots meetings at the Governor’s Mansion. He is inviting conservative leaders from around the state to hear their concerns and to update his actions. His goal is to do so at least twice per month.
I was fortunate to be one of the 16 people this week that were invited to participate. State Controller Elise M. Nieshalla, Secretary of State Diego Morales, and Attorney General Todd Rokita joined Gov. Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith for the listening session with conservatives from around the state. Lt. Gov. Beckwith and each of the state officers provided input as well.
It is a wise man who has many advisors. An encouragement was made for the Senate to have similar meetings.
When asked to start the session, I brought up an issue in Hamilton County: water. The LEAP District and transfer of water to Boone County projects are concerning. Three-foot diameter water mains are being constructed in the southern part of the county headed west.
Hamilton County has been on the forefront in this area, investigating our water resources and their preservation. Our County Commissioners are working to safeguard the supply that we have and to plan for continued growth and opportunities in this county.
The governor commented on the previous plan to move water from the Wabash River. He indicated it was not economically profitable to move water more than 40 miles and noted that the Wabash was wide and shallow. He opined it was not a good source for the LEAP District water. He’s been encouraging data centers to reuse water. It appears these centers will not be as extensive water users as originally thought. He projected they could get by on 10 percent of the original calculation of water usage.
Other participants were advocating for local control of property regulations. Discussion was had on the whole new slate of members on the IURC. The governor noted he was signing more executive orders than previous governors and had very few challenges to them. Representatives from Harrison County, Clark County, and Boone County discussed the inflation caused by the Biden Administration, the mental health crisis, and how the governor has encouraged religious organizations that provide services free of charge.
AG Todd Rokita and Gov. Mike Braun were kind enough to pose for The Reporter’s camera. (Reporter photo)
Property taxes were on everyone’s mind as well. The biggest opponents to the governor’s plan for tax reduction have been members of local governments. It was noted that local subdivisions’ budgets are growing faster than inflation. The rate of growth to local governments has been reduced, but the total amount spent has increased.
Discussion was had concerning the State Constitution, paper ballots, election laws, and Indiana’s economy. Under Gov. Braun, Indiana is growing two times faster than Illinois and Ohio, and three times faster than Kentucky. We are growing six times faster than Michigan.
Indiana is lucky to have an exceptional businessman improving our lives. Time ran out, preventing this group from discussing all the areas of concern that could have been covered.
Governor, keep up the listening sessions. Everyone walked away with a clearer understanding.
Ray Adler is a longtime attorney with offices at The Adler Building, 136 S. 9th St., Downtown Noblesville. He is also one of the owners of The Hamilton County Reporter Newspaper.
