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Leonard, Bell announce bids for re-election |
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Friday, February 01 2008 |
By RUTH STANLEY
Managing editor
State Representative incumbents Dan Leonard and Matt Bell, both who represent portions of Whitley County, have announced their intentions to seek re-election to their respective seats.
Leonard represents the 50th District which includes Huntington and most of Whitley County. Bell represents the 83rd District which includes portions of Noble, Allen and Whitley counties, including parts of Thorncreek, Union and Smith townships.
Both representatives have filed paperwork to be placed on the Republican primary ballot in May.
Leonard was first elected to the General Assembly in 2002 and was reelected in 2004 and 2006.
Leonard serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and also serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Labor and Employment Committee. He previously served on the Natural Resources Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Veterans Affairs and Public Policy Committee.
“Serving on the Ways and Means committee offers me the opportunity to dedicate myself to the work of lowering taxes and reducing the size and cost of government,” Leonard said. “During my tenure on the Ways and Means committee, we have erased a $700 million dollar budget deficit without a state tax increase and I am proud of that accomplishment, but our work is far from done. Property owners in Huntington and Whitley counties have been decimated by an increase in their property taxes due to local capital construction projects and an inconsistent assessment system. I am committed to delivering the bold, immediate and permanent property tax relief my constituents deserve before we adjourn this session.”
Leonard has resided in the 50th District for more than 58 years.
Bell was appointed to the General Assembly in May of 2005 and was reelected in 2006. He serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Public Policy committee and serves on the Labor and Employment committee and the Family Children and Human Affairs committee.
“During my three years in the Indiana General Assembly, the State of Indiana has made great steps forward,” said Bell. “We have erased a $700 million dollar structural deficit and built a $1 billion dollars surplus without raising taxes. We passed the most sweeping telecommunications reform in the nation which has brought high-speed Internet access to communities that had never been offered service before and has spurred unprecedented job growth. We instituted a market-driven state health insurance program which brings needed coverage to hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers. In the coming weeks we will provide bold, immediate and permanent property tax reform that will help insure a fair, consistent and equitable property tax system for Hoosiers.
Bell is a Noble County resident. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, February 05 2008 )
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