State Representative Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) announced yesterday that he will file legislation for consideration
in the 2010 session of the Indiana General Assembly that will abolish township government in Indiana.
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If DeLaney’s proposal becomes law, all township functions would be transferred to county govenment starting on January 1, 2013.
“The duties now performed by township government would be assumed by each county,” said DeLaney. “For
instance, the county executive would assume the powers and duties of the township trustee, county commissioners and
councils would take over the legislative and fiscal powers of township boards.”
“I believe this proposal will save Hoosier tax payers millions of dollars by streamlining services and eliminating a
form of government that I feel is no longer needed in this day and age, “ DeLaney said.
In addition the bill specifies how excess township funds could be used to provide additional property tax relief and
offer means to assist Hoosiers in need of emergency services.
“Split into fourths, a quarter of the money would be used to provide property tax credits at a uniform county-wide
percentage, another quarter would be deposited into a special fund or account to be used to alleviate poverty in the
county,” said DeLaney.
“The remaining revenue will be used to find ways to reduce poverty levels across Indiana, including financing
teaching and academic research in those areas,” he added.
Finally, DeLaney’s proposal would establish an elected position to advocate for the poor in each Indiana county.
DeLaney is pressing for complete elimination of the trustees in the face of proposals that call for more limited
reforms. He stated that: “Given the needs of the poor and the pressures on our taxpayers we need complete change now.
We can literally do more for less money. That is our task as legislators.”
If you would like to contact Rep. Ed DeLaney, you may reach him at h86@.in.gov or at (317) 920-0400 or at the
Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis IN 46204-2786.
