Shaffer calls on Nieshalla to take a look at local debt

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Dear Editor:

I applaud the 37 state financial officers who wrote the Dec. 27 letter to you with the call to action that noted:

1. Total 2025 federal spending is less than in 2024.
2. Implement a concrete plan to put the federal government on a path to a balanced budget as soon as feasible.
3. Unleash economic prosperity by cutting red tape and tapping into our nation’s vast natural resources with a timeline for reducing the debt that is empowered by a growing economy.

While they represent 37 different states, the Indiana representative could well look homeward first.

Sauce for the federal goose is admirable, it’s even more valuable for the state and local gander.

In Carmel – the city and township – its civic, township, schools, and library debt exceed $2.2 billion.

Most of that debt was incurred without taxpayer approval.

Most of that debt was incurred by dodging around flaccid state laws.

All of the debt falls on future generations to pay.

The fiscal, moral and ethical disaster on the local level merely mirrors the federal debacle.

Bill Shaffer
Carmel