Job Creation -My number one Priority

As the state transitions from traditional manufacturing economy to one that's more diversified, we can leverage  the power of our universities, our workers, and our existing infrastructure to become leaders in new industries such as biotechnology and renewable energy.
      In 2012 Senate Democrats will push for redirection of resources from ineffective programs to those who better serve Indiana's employers and workers, providing new incentives without new taxes. The proposals include:

-Providing new hire tax credits for smaller employers.
-Redirecting job creation funds to successful initiatives.
-Providing preference in state contracts to companies that use Indiana labor.
-Beginning work on state infrastructure and university construction projects immediately.
-Requiring the collection of online sales tax to level the playing field for brick-and-mortar retailers
-Providing work-share programs to assist employers in retaining their skilled workers during times of economic uncertainty.
-Creating incentives for hiring Indiana workers and encouraging business growth
-Ensuring that state economic development tax incentives are effectively used by recouping incentives from business that do not meet their commitments to the state or local community.
-Promoting small business development and entrepreneurship.
-Promoting jobs in green industries.
-Finding new ways to support and expand Indiana's agricultural industry.
-Rewarding Indiana companies that do business with other Indiana companies.
-Linking colleges and universities to Indiana businesses for technical assistance and research partnerships.

In addition, Infrastructure investment is tried and true job creator. Every dollar invested nets $1.59 in additional economic growth and every 10 million invested creates 570 jobs and as much as $32 million in sales for Indiana businesses we can give cities and towns the tools we need in a way that will sustain our roads and bridges for years to come.  

Hershman's Legacy

Brandt Hershman took office in 2000. At that time Indiana was ranked 23rd in per median income. In 2010 Indiana was ranked 36th . Indiana dropped 13.6% in income loss. That gave us the dubious distinction of the 2nd largest loss in income of all states http://www.stats.indiana.edu/sip/inc/inc1_18.html.
 In the year 2000 when Hershman took office the poverty rate among Hoosiers was 7.7 % . In the year 2010 it skyrocketed to 16.2 %. 1,035,000 Hoosiers live in poverty !! http://www.incap.org/documents/iiwf/2011/CPS%20Data%20Release%209-13-11.pdf
But for Indiana children the poverty rate is an unbelievable 26.3%. . 1/4 of Hoosier children live in poverty! Think about how many Indiana children will go to bed hungry tonight. http://www.theindychannel.com/money/29169627/detail.html.
Brandt Hershman and his out of state interests are destroying the middle class of Indiana. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Politicians
 Voters of the 7th district haven't we had about enough of this kind of leadership? Isn't it time to send a new set of eyes and a far different perspective to the Statehouse. Please lets change the status quo and send one of our own to represent the working class. Get mad and take the Statehouse back. Vote this career politician out! Vote Thompson to save the middle class !!