Cheatham to seek re-election to Legislature

 State Representative Dave Cheatham announced that he will seek re-election to the Legislature in Indiana House District 69. Cheatham is completing his sixth term in the General Assembly, returning in 2006 to the position he had previously held for eight years.

“Because we are looking at challenging times, we need to keep leaders with the experience and commitment to fight for their community to get the resources and opportunities to make the future better,” Cheatham said.

“By working together, we can make great strides in economic development and job creation these are the greatest needs at this time to improve our quality of life,” he added. “At the same time, we need to move forward with property tax reform and providing affordable educational opportunities.”

Cheatham believes that public service is all about making the lives of people better by listening to constituents and then acting as their voice, a belief that is reflected in the legislation and constituent

services he has provided during his time in office. The most recent laws he authored include improvements in Molly’s Law, which provides even better law-enforcement procedures in missing person’s cases, business legislation which helps the tool-and-die industry, and homeowners association legislation which does more to protect the rights of people living in planned communities.

Cheatham played a major role in securing a $2 million grant for water resource development and distribution in Jennings County for the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (MUTC) as part of the 2009 state budget.

“This grant will not only help provide a more reliable and less expensive water supply for MUTC to help our troops to defend our country but will also provide a major boost to economic development in the region by allowing MUTC to expand,” Cheatham explained.

Cheatham was also instrumental in securing a $2 million bridge rehabilitation and rail upgrade grant for the Madison Railroad, giving Indiana House District 69 a competitive advantage for jobs by ensuring access to a first-rate short line railroad.

Altogether in 2009, Cheatham was able to secure over $18 million in grant money for communities throughout Indiana House District 69.

While making significant advances over the past two years, Cheatham notes he is motivated to continue making progress on several important issues. Creating and keeping jobs is at the top of the list. As a former teacher, he wants to make sure that students have affordable access to a top-rate education.

Improvements in the district’s transportation system - including roads and highways as well as a new Ohio River bridge for Jefferson County also rank high among Cheatham’s priorities. Many new projects are ready to begin or are already in progress.

“Meaningful and permanent property tax reform is an essential need for all Hoosiers,” Cheatham said. “I believe that owning one’s home at some point in time without any future property taxes is a fundamental value, one which I hope to be able to accomplish as a goal,” Cheatham explained.

Dave Cheatham first served in 1984-1992, and then returned to the State Legislature in 2006. He represents Jefferson, Jennings and Ripley counties.