Council Democrats Stick It To Taxpayers In Raucous Council Meeting

Council Democrats rammed through a 65% increase in the county option income tax tonight on a 15-13 vote, with one Republican member abstaining. Councilor Isaac Randolph (R), a firefighter, announced his intention to abstain from voting because the new revenues from the tax increase are tied to the firefighter's contract. He believed he had a pecuniary interest in the outcome and, therefore, a conflict of interest. In an unusual move, City-County Council President Monroe Gray, also a firefighter, ruled that Randolph couldn't abstain from the vote. Councilor Lincoln Plowman (R), a police officer, said he had on numerous occasions asked to abstain from voting on matters pertaining to the sheriff's department and been allowed to do so by the council. Randolph appealed the ruling of the chair, but Democratic council members sided with Gray and ordered Randolph to cast a vote against his conscience. Randolph still abstained when the final vote was taken, notwithstanding the chair's ruling. In an ugly display, another firefigther on the council, Councilor Vernon Brown (D), attacked Randolph as a "coward." Randolph asked to address Brown's attack on him, only to be interrupted by Councilor King "Ro" Conley (D), whose wife is a city employee, and told by Conley to take the matter outside face to face with Brown.

The meeting was raucous from the outset. As Councilor Joanne Sanders attempted to explain the tax increase, she was repeatedly interrupted by a jam-packed audience of tax protestors, chanting "NO NEW TAXES." The famous Indy Chicken stood on the sidelines holding a sign, "65% is no chicken feed". Many other audience members wore "Bart Lies" T-shirts. On at least 5 occasions, the meeting's proceedings came to a halt while law enforcement officers ejected citizen protesters from the meeting.

The meeting took a surprising twist when Councilor Dane Mahern (D), a city employee, announced he was voting against the tax increase. He complained that residents of his district were among the hardest hit areas of the city when they received their property tax bills, which increased on average 50%. He said he was unwilling to hike the COIT yet again, which he noted would result in a 175% increase in the rate in the last 3 years alone. He also complained that city departments were hiring people who live outside the county who don't pay property taxes or the COIT. One other Democrat, Sherron Franklin, a police officer, voted against the tax increase.

Those two Democratic votes could be spared because two Republicans, Scott Keller and Lance Langsford, voted for the increase. Keller claims his constituents asked him to vote for the tax increase to help bring crime in their neighborhoods under control. Most Republicans believe this seals his defeat in November. His district, like Mahern's, was hit hard by property tax reassessments. He will face Brian Mahern in November. With Republicans abandoning Keller in droves, he is now viewed as the most vulnerable Republican. He won election four years ago by a handful of votes with the support of anti-tax groups, but he has voted for every single tax increase which has come before the council in the past four years. Lance Langsford, a firefighter, is not seeking re-election. He saw no conflict of interest in voting on a proposal which ensures him another pay raise and pension benefits.

In a meeting completely lacking in any decorum or serious debate, Councilor William Oliver complained to the chair about the length of time Councilor Mahern was given to explain his vote. Councilor Conley then moved to end debate. The Democratic majority voted to cut off debate, even though only a handful of councilors were given an opportunity to speak on this major tax increase vote. Councilors debated the $90 million tax increase for less than 30 minutes before voting on it. "It's sad," Minority Leader Phil Borst observed. "All 29 councilors should be allowed to speak on an important vote." Audience members shouted at council members as they filed out of the Public Assembly room, letting them know they wouldn't forget this vote come November.

Whether you agree or disagree with the council's decision tonight, you cannot help but wonder how our city-county council come to be ruled by such a pathetic and out-of-touch group of people. You could not have watched tonight's meeting and have any faith in the ability of this elected body to decide matters affecting our city-county government. We need a complete revolution in city government this November. Please don't let these councilors forget about their actions tonight. You must make sure you are registered to vote and turn out of office the councilors who have so disserved you for the past four years.