In the Republican primary for 4th District state representative, political newcomer Shawn Olson hopes to unseat incumbent Ed Soliday, who was first elected two years ago to the seat long held by Ralph Ayres.

Both candidates are from Valparaiso. The winner of the May 6 Republican primary will face Democrat Larry Chubb of Chesterton in November.

The 4th House District includes much of Porter County, as well as portions of Lake and Jasper counties. In the Duneland community, the district includes Westchester precincts 3 and 15 and Liberty 3, 4 and 5.

The candidates were asked to respond to the following questionnaire. Their answers are printed as submitted, except where shortened to meet a 100-word limit.

1. Why should you be elected state representative?

Olson: “I’m a constitutionalist and have studied the constitution. I understand that the constitution is what framed our government and the government is bound to the rules set forth in the constitution. I understand the position of Representative is to represent the people and not business interests. As a good leader I understand there is always more than one solution to a problem and every solution has some type of unforeseen consequences. I also know a good leader doesn’t always know the right answer, he sits back and listens to others and poses the best questions.”

Soliday: “I have spent two years in the state legislature learning to better understand the hopes and dreams of the people of House District 4. At the same time I have learned many ways to work with fellow legislators to improve our citizens’ quality of life. I bring a significant amount of experience in executive leadership from the corporate and not-for-profit world to the legislative arena. I think I have proven I can work across party lines to achieve more efficient and cost effective government to the state of Indiana.”

2. What provisions, if any, of H.E.A. 1001 should the Indiana Legislature revisit in 2009? Why?

Olson: “First off a good thing was they bound the local and county governments when they want to spend a lot of money on a project that first they must ask permission from the taxpayers by a referendum vote. Well the state thinks they are doing such a good thing they forgot to also bind themselves to such an order. Do our state legislators think they are doing such a good idea that they don’t need to be bound to such restrictions?

So let us revisit referendums for state spending projects also.”

Soliday: “HB1001 is huge so it will be some time before we know all that needs adjustment. And we need to give it a chance to work before we start dissecting it. The assessment process still needs considerable work. A good place to start may be to use a simple cost-of-living adjustment to assessed valuation instead of the current, arcane “trending” system ... The Department of Local Government Finance should be redefined as a quality assurance function ... instead of the current “Whack-a-Mole” methodology that just says “You did it wrong” when the tax bills are late or inconsistent.”

3. Why are you running for state representative?

Olson: “The generic answer is for my 3 year old daughters Mara’s future. I have always been politically involved telling congressman what they can or can not do. All the while they write back “I’ll keep your thoughts in mind!” Indiana has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. Our living expenses are continuing to raise, gas prices raise daily, even stamps prices are going up every few months. And instead of cutting expenses they are proposing more taxes in response to their budget shortfalls. So I ask why I shouldn’t run, I want to stop the quagmire before it’s too late.”

Soliday: “Northwest Indiana has been my home for most of my life. It is a great place to live, populated with many good and diverse people. To keep Northwest Indiana a great place to live, to provide opportunities for our children and their children, and to breathe new life into those areas that have not faired as well as others, each of us needs to give something back ... I feel that serving in the legislature is the best way that I can use my experience and gifts to give something back to my community. All that we enjoy ... is here because those who went before gave something back.”

4. What are the best and worst accomplishments of the Daniels administration?

Olson: “Daniels is quite business savvy and knows how to balance a budget. Being business minded he even help streamline the licenses branches so they are more efficient. As for something he isn’t doing well he is putting all faith in the 1001 property tax bill as a final catch all of the state’s tax problems. There will be budget short falls and deficits attributed to this bill, so either they will have to cut expenses somewhere else or end up finding a new way to tax us yet again. If they take the side of cutting the government waste then it won’t be a bad thing!”

Soliday: “Governor Daniels’ administration, along with the legislature, has provided the only balanced budget in the Midwest. They have reduced the size of government, paid off the old debts of previous administrations, led the way in property tax reform and reorganization of state and local government. They have made inroads to providing innovative funding for health care for the most needy ... and brought more new business to Indiana than any administration in a long time. The administration’s greatest difficulty seems to be that many times they move so rapidly that the general population does not have time to see the benefit of what they are trying to accomplish.”

Posted 4/18/2008