If I were your new governor: after four years, I won't need to run for re-election.

• Author: Marcus, Morton J.
• Position: Viewpoint

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for electing me as your new governor. You made the right decision. I have a program to set Indiana on a course of prosperity for posterity.

Effective administration of state and local government. Some units of government are corrupt. We will stop elected and appointed office holders from misusing the public's money. But more important is the fact that most units of government are inefficient and/or ineffective. They do not get the job done or they spend too much money doing it. Both Milch Daniels and Joe Kernan committed themselves to this program, but I will follow through on it.

End the property tax debate. For too long Hoosiers have moaned about property taxes. I favor a balanced system of taxation. Property taxes are part of that system. We need to make the assessment process fair and simple. That is why I support eliminating township assessment and shifting full responsibilities to the county assessors under strict supervision of the state Department of Local Government Finance. I will also propose to the legislature that we eliminate most of the exemptions and credits now encumbering the property tax so that all properties are treated alike.

A minor move to a progressive income tax. To be clear, the first $100,000 of adjusted gross income will still be taxed at 3.4 percent, but income over $100,000 will be taxed at 4.4 percent. In addition, I will call for repeal of the $1,000 exemption for persons over 65. The income tax should be based on income and not on age.

Toll road capability. When we get around to having tolls on our highways, as we must in time, we need to be technologically ready. Therefore, every vehicle license plate issued in Indiana will also be accompanied by a Smart Card or I-Pass for use on toll roads.

School districts and construction. We must look at changing district lines. Education is a state function, not a local matter. With fixed district boundaries we suffer enormous costs as people move around trying to find the best education offerings rather than making local schools as good as possible. Therefore, I support an immediate moratorium on new construction and will seek funding for the restoration of existing schools as a means of improving our schools, lowering...