William J. (Bill) Ruppel (Uncertain)
Watchdog Indiana Home Page Taxpayer Friendly Scorecard Legislative Voting Record 11/02/04 Candidate Questionnaire 05/04/04 Candidate Questionnaire 11/05/02 Candidate Questionnaire 05/07/02 Candidate Questionnaire
Address: 909 St. Rd. 13 W., North Manchester, IN 46962
Phone: (260) 982-7981
E-mail: H22@ai.org
Website: http://www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/homepages/r22/
Watchdog Indiana Candidate Questionnaire - November
7, 2006, General Election
1. BACKGROUND:
Effective December 1, 2002, the Indiana sales tax increased from 5% to 6%
with a promise that the proceeds would be used to decrease homeowner
homeowner property taxes by 16.3%. As summarized at http://finplaneducation.net/betrayal_incompetence.htm,
Indiana General Assemblies and Governors have turned the promised 16.3%
decrease into a Pay 2007 property tax increase of 20.3% for the average
Hoosier homeowner. Local governments are now pushing for more flexibility
to levy income, sales, and other taxes under the guise of property tax
relief. QUESTION: Should local Indiana governments be allowed to impose
additional income, sales, and other taxes? ANSWER: Only if these taxes
would be to reduce the property taxes. I believe we need to find a new way to
tax for local governments other than property taxes.
2. BACKGROUND: The state's budget
the last two fiscal years has been balanced without fund transfers for the
first time since 1998-99 (see http://finplaneducation.net/indiana_cash_flow_data.htm). QUESTION: Should the state's total budget
expenditures be no more than total revenues for the next
biennium? ANSWER: YES.
Actually we should only use 90% of the projected revenues when preparing the
Budget. A bill was passed that is now law that only 99% of the projected
revenues can be used in planning the next budget.
3. BACKGROUND: The state's current budget is balanced
with the inclusion of a one-time increase from $35,000 to $45,000 in the state-paid Homestead
Deduction for Pay 2007 property taxes. This
decreases property taxes for the average homeowner by 6%. QUESTION: Should
the $45,000 Homestead Deduction be continued beyond
2007? ANSWER: YES.
I still believe we need to do away with property taxes and replace them with
something else that is fair to all.
4.
BACKGROUND:
Mandatory full-day kindergarten for all of Indiana's 75,000 kindergartners
would cost $210 million in 2009. QUESTIONS: Should the state pay for full-day
kindergarten? If YES, where should the state get the funds needed for full-day kindergarten?
ANSWER: This Idea of full day Kindergarten should be a local decision. If
they choose to do it or only decide to have some full day and some half day
classes that is the locals choice. The state should still pay what the funding
formula calls for. This should not be put on the property taxes. Would need time
to study what would be fair to all.
5. BACKGROUND:
The $3.7 billion proceeds from leasing the Indiana Toll Road ("Major
Moves") will be used to establish a Bond Retirement Account to pay
off bonds selected by the Indiana Finance Authority, an Administration
Account, an Eligible Project Account for highway improvements throughout
Indiana, and a $500 million Next Generation Trust Fund to
be used exclusively for the provision of highways, roads, and bridges.
QUESTION: Do you anticipate the need for any state gas tax increases the
next ten years? ANSWER: I can not say. I would hope that we would not need
to increase the gas tax. Whom is to say. I promise that as long as I'm there we
need to keep the money from the toll rd being used for roads and the interest
from the trust fund with the gas tax is suppose to pay for the up Keep.
6. BACKGROUND: "Major Moves" projects
include $694 million for a new terrain I-69 extension from Indianapolis to
Evansville as well as a $500 million Next Generation Trust Fund. QUESTION:
Should the "Major Moves" expenditures be combined with the
Next Generation Trust Fund proceeds to build a new terrain I-69
extension without state tax increases? ANSWER: I believe that is what
is planed, the extra money would be a toll road for those who use it and
from the Federal gov't.
7. BACKGROUND: The
2006 "Major Moves" legislation authorizes a toll road for an
I-69 extension between Martinsville and Evansville. QUESTION: Do you favor
legislation that removes the toll road authorization for an I-69
extension? ANSWER: Yes if it can be paid for with what we have plus,
what the Fed's will provide. If not enough then let the people who use it pay
for it.
8. QUESTION:
Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you
have an E-mail address? Do you have a website? ANSWER: I voted for the
repeal of property Taxes. I would love to find a fairer way to pay for the
expense of Gov't. I'll work towards that goal. The more I look at taxes
the more I like the idea of either a sales tax
or just a flat tax with no deductions so everyone will pay.)
2006 General Assembly Voting Record
Voted YES on
"Major Moves" House
Bill 1008, which authorizes the Indiana Department of Transportation to
enter into public-private agreements with private entities (operators)
concerning tollway projects for I-69 between Martinsville and Evansville. HB
1008 also authorizes the Indiana Finance Authority to enter into public-private
agreements with operators for the Indiana Toll Road.
Voted YES on House
Bill 1001, a residential property tax reduction bill that increases the
homestead credit for one year in 2006 to 28% and the homestead standard
deduction for one year in 2007 to $45,000. Beginning in 2007 for Lake County and
2008 for all other counties, HB 1001 also establishes a cap on residential
property taxes equal to 2% of the assessed value of the residential property.
2005 General Assembly Voting Record
Voted YES on House
Bill 1001, the budget bill that included seven significant homeowner
property tax increases.
Voted YES on House
Bill 1120, which contained thirteen negative tax impacts including a
regional Food and Beverage Tax to finance a new Colts stadium.
Watchdog Indiana Candidate Questionnaire - November
2, 2004, General Election
1. Guiding Principles for 2005-07
Biennium Budget. DID NOT RESPOND. Record:
Voted AGAINST the 2004-05 state budget where
General Fund and Property Tax Replacement Fund spending totals exceed current
revenue totals for the eighth straight year.
The 2004-05 state budget also includes Pension Stabilization Fund transfers,
which worsen the $8.5 billion shortfall in teacher retirement funds.
2. Opinions
on Homeowner Property Taxes. DID NOT RESPOND. Record: Voted
AGAINST the 2004-05 state budget where the
property tax relief promised to homeowners in the 2002 special session was
reduced by the so-called Homestead Credit
"correction."
3. Position on Indianapolis to Evansville Interstate. DID NOT RESPOND.
4. Additional Comments. DID NOT RESPOND. Record: See
the Candidate Questionnaires for the November
5, 2002, General Election and the May
7, 2002, Primary Election. Also see the Legislative
Voting Record.
Watchdog Indiana Candidate Questionnaire - November
5, 2002, General Election
1-2.
Special session vote AGAINST several tax increases that
will increase revenues $1.7782 billion from July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2005.
3. Special
session vote AGAINST a 20% gas tax increase
(from 15 to 18 cents per gallon) effective 01/01/03.
4. Special
session vote AGAINST a phased-in shift of the inventory
tax to (1) all other types of property through an increased property tax rate
and (2) a tax on the income of individuals (in those counties
choosing to do so) through the establishment or increase of a County Economic
Development Income Tax (CEDIT).
5. DID NOT RESPOND to General Election Questionnaire. See the Candidate
Questionnaire for the May 7, 2002, Primary Election.
Watchdog Indiana Candidate Questionnaire - May 7,
2002, Primary Election
1-2. DID NOT VOTE
3. Voted March 13 to override the Governor's
veto of HB 1083 in an effort to keep Indiana General
Assembly members from being covered by the state's Public Access Laws.
4. Did not receive Primary Questionnaire. See the Candidate
Questionnaire for the November 5, 2002, General Election.
Watchdog Indiana Home Page Taxpayer Friendly Scorecard Legislative Voting Record 11/02/04 Candidate Questionnaire 05/04/04 Candidate Questionnaire 11/05/02 Candidate Questionnaire 05/07/02 Candidate Questionnaire
This page was last updated on 03/25/10.