March in Review...

We all know what April 15^th means.  Whether you already have your tax return in hand or are filing by the skin of your teeth today, it is comforting to take a look back at the great things that happened for Hoosier taxpayers in the month of March.  The historic property tax cut that was passed at the end of the legislative session lends some levity to this tax season, and I couldn't help but think of the great things in store for Hoosiers as I traveled across the state last month.

Historic Property Tax Reform Signed into Law

After months of detailed debate and discussion, I joined Governor Daniels, House Speaker Pat Bauer and Senate Pro Tempore David Long to sign property tax reform that puts taxpayers first.  Indiana has entered a new era of taxpayer protection thanks to some great cooperation and compromise in the Statehouse. 

Homeowner's taxes will be cut sharply, by 30 percent on average

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman joins House Speaker Pat Bauer, Governor Mitch Daniels and Senate Pro Tempore David Long in signing the property tax reform bill into law.

What has occurred is truly historic.  These changes mean a great economic boon for Indiana and terrific savings for taxpayers. 

We are grateful to all those who lent their voices to support this landmark legislation, especially the citizens who took their own time to let us know what is important to them.  And we are grateful to the members of the General Assembly who worked so hard to achieve reform for the good of Indiana.

Celebrating the Success of Women

While the property tax debate continued in the Statehouse during the first part of the month, I still found time to get out and about.

Much of my time outside the Statehouse was spent with Hoosier women.  I spoke to the Indiana Farm Bureau Women's Conference and participated in a panel discussion at Purdue University for distinguished women. Then I traveled to Fort Wayne for the Chamber of Commerce Athena Awards, honoring exceptional women leaders. And finally, back to Indianapolis for the culmination of the Celebration of Hoosier Women Artists competition my office hosts annually.  To see this year's selected artwork, please visit my website at www.in.gov/lg/.  At each of these events, I met many remarkable women who are making their own individual mark on the state.

I love to listen to the stories of the women who have found success in their lives and responded to the call to lead in their careers and their communities.  But the call to leadership is not always one that brings accolades.  In fact, I was most inspired by the women I met at the YMCA's Operation Indiana Partners kickoff in Indianapolis.

Lt. Governor Skillman meets with
military wife and mom, Colleen Curtis,
and her 10-month-old daughter, Chloe.
Mrs. Curtis received a recent free YMCA membership while her husband is on
active duty.

General Martin Umbarger and I announced that the YMCA is now offering free memberships to the families of deployed service members.  That kind of generosity is an example to the entire state, and I met several families who will be benefiting from their kindness.  The women who spoke in praise of the new program were young mothers, working to keep their families going while their husbands are deployed to the Middle East.  Staying home while a husband is at war is one of the hardest jobs around, and they are standing strong in the challenge.  Now thanks to the YMCA, they can have some fun at the same time.