My Pledge to You

Dear friends,

I would like to take a few moments to thank you for your support and let you know how it has helped me be a positive and effective representative. I have had the opportunities to serve on the Public Health Committee, where I have co-authored and sponsored legislation that involves health issues.  As ranking minority leader of the Natural Resources committee I have sponsored and help pass legislation that protects our Constitutional 2nd amendment rights regarding firearms, legislation benefiting the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and storm water drainage issues and speeding up the permitting process for removing log jams from rivers and streams.  As a member of the Lakes Management Work group I have been involved in studying and authoring legislation to benefit the lakes and rivers in Indiana. I also serve on the Military and Veterans Benefit Board, which develops policy and administrates benefits for our veterans and members on active duty military.

Over the past 6 years I have fought for legislation for our two counties and enjoyed every minute of it. I will never tire, find burdensome, or take for granted any moment I am your representative. I have been an example of a hard worker and know the right way, which is not always the easy way. During the past session I fought for legislation to improve legislator ethics, reduce homeowner and agriculture property taxes, and create incentives to reduce unemployment and won!!

You may have read some disparaging comments from my opponent.  I have heard them too and as a representative I do not ever turn a deaf ear to anyone, even with those whom I may disagree with. I will say this “ I have not in the past and will never say anything in the future that I believe to be untruthful, inaccurate or unfair for the purpose of taking your vote”. I truly believe in optimism and that our wonderful state continues to provide real promise.

It is true, our economy is not immune to the recession and many hard times are upon us and while we can look next door to the pain, Hoosiers need only look to the north and east to see states that did not save and did not balance their books to see the economic wounds that will take much longer to heal than ours will. Because of the fiscal conservative leadership, that I have been blessed to be a part of, our economy has not collapsed.  Our great state has balanced the books and not cooked them. We have limited the taxes for services.  We have created an inviting business environment for companies that locate and create jobs in a clean and safe state.  A state that has a world-class workforce and a government that wants them here, a state that wants to be a partner for economic growth and not just handing out assistance.  Winston Churchill once said, “Trying to tax oneself out of a recession is like trying to stand in a bucket and try lifting it at the same time”.

I have worked very hard to create legislation and support decisions that bring in the new generation of employers, employers that create paychecks for Hoosiers in technology, health care, aviation, and science.  I have never supported a bailout, nor do I support the socialization of some of our biggest and most iconic companies like General Motors. I do not support and never have supported the bailout of those responsible for creating the financial collapse on Wall Street.

I never have and never will yield to national mandate when a fight will either result in a win for Hoosiers or make them think twice before coming back to Indiana for more.  In 2011, I plan to support a bill that mirrors Arizona’s new law that makes it legal to arrest and deport any person who is here illegally. If the President and those in Washington would do their jobs, such laws would be unnecessary.  If they will not protect you, your families and your jobs, then you can count on me to do it!!

My fellow Hoosiers, I am just like you and I am proud of the manners I have learned as a Hoosier.  I will not apologize for being affable and well liked.  I am proud to be known as a man that has and will listen to you and you can trust.  I am most of all proud to have spent a lifetime right here in Northeast Indiana, raising a family, making friends and doing the good work of the people. I consider the opportunity of serving this district as its representative a privilege and an honor and I ask you for your vote and promise to keep fighting for what is right

Dick Dodge, State Representative District 51