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.

This page was last updated on 03/25/10.