Locke for Indiana

Letter to State Central Committee Regarding Chair Selection Process

2011-12-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

State Central Committee Members,

I hope this message finds you enjoying the start of the Holiday Season!

I want to take just a few minutes to share my thoughts on the selection of a new State Party Chair, based on my experiences as a Statewide candidate and young leader within our Party. I know you are likely overwhelmed with communication on the topic, so my feedback attempts to be concise and constructive. Thank you in advance for its consideration.

At this turning point, I believe it important to examine the role of the position as it aligns with the strategic goals of the Party. I think it is time to approach the position in a different way, one that eliminates unnecessary and counterproductive drama, invites broader participation, and can potentially be more cost effective.

The Chairman, unfairly perhaps, has historically been charged with extremely diverse responsibilities – fundraiser, chief spokesperson, recruiter, campaign strategist, and more. Rarely can one individual perform each of these roles superbly as they require vastly different skill sets. A new structure would allow each of these roles to be performed by people uniquely skilled and equipped to do so.

My suggestion, using the same amount of money currently budgeted for the role of State Chairman:

1.) Make the role of State-Chairman a volunteer position solely focused on being the chief spokesman, fundraiser, and grassroots catalyst of the Party. Recognizing the significant time demand, the position could entail a generous travel stipend for public appearances and time spent away from other responsibilities. Organizing in such a way reduces the impact of special interests, depoliticizes and reduces the counter-productive drama the selection process, and allows the Chairman to solely focus on constituent-facing responsibilities.

2.) Re-institute the role of Executive Director, with more robust duties. Using the remaining (sizeable) budget, the Party should hire an experienced campaign management professional to manage all back-office functions, candidate recruitment, and campaign strategy functions. By splitting the roles of fundraising and spending, we obtain a much more transparent budget, with spending decisions based on analytical reasoning, rather than emotion and connections.

Both positions should report directly to the State Central Committee. This structure allows us to remove the negative energy surrounding the process and create an even more professional organization that is more effective, more welcoming, and more efficient.

Thank you again for your consideration and have a joyous Holiday season.

All the Best,
Sam

Connersville News Examiner--First-time candidate Locke: Sacrifices worth it despite loss

2010-11-26T19:27:00.000-05:00

First-time candidate Locke: Sacrifices worth it despite loss

By Thad Lewis, The Connersville News-Examiner

The timing was wrong to run for state auditor on the Democrat ticket, but former Connersville resident Sam Locke would not take back his effort for all the world.

“I was disappointed with the results but we knew the obstacles. It was a wave year for the Republicans and that worked against us across the state,” he said. “The timing was wrong, but we were right on everything else. If it had been the other side of the coin, it would have been our year.”

Locke said despite the loss, he is remaining positive because he got his name in front of state voters and received 37 percent of the vote.

“It was just incredible for a first-time showing. I look forward to staying in touch with all those I met along the way and will wait and see what happens next,” he said.

Locke won Fayette County, 3,298 to 2,566, over Republican incumbent Tim Berry and 253 for Eric Knipe, Libertarian.

“I was just overwhelmed when I heard those results. Very few counties received Democrat support and I am especially proud that Fayette County, my hometown, supported and put their trust in me. In the year of the Republican, I am just overwhelmed,” he said.

Locke was especially excited over the local race for circuit court judge, sheriff and others that Democrats either retained or picked up.

“I was happy to hear that Beth (Butsch), Billy (Wayson) and Melinda (Sudhoff) and the others won. Those people and others in the local party have been instrumental in my success and I wish them the best of luck in their journeys,” he said.

That next step for Locke is up in the air.

“It’s hard to say. I enjoyed every second of it (campaigning). I enjoyed meeting people across the state and I still have passion for public service and I still have plans for Hoosiers,” he said. “There is still a lot of energy left inside us and doors were opened across the state.”

Locke said he is also appreciative of Democrats Pete Buttigieg who lost in the state treasurer race to Richard Mourdock, a Republican, and Vop Osili, who lost the secretary of state race to Republican Charlie White.

“We are still going to keep in touch. The friendship I made with Pete and Vop will last a long time and Indiana has not heard the last from us.”

On Wednesday morning, Locke was back to work and had to catch a flight to Florida. He spoke to the News Examiner by cell phone Thursday. He works in the giving department for the headquarters of the Presbyterian Church.

“I am already back to work. No rest here,” he said. “I am back in the saddle for them and we support a wealth of causes. It is truly fulfilling helping people do God’s work everyday.”

Locke now plans to enjoy some time with his wife Kara.

“I am going to spend some time with her and be a better husband. She was a big supporter and she took a big sacrifice for me,” he said.

Locke said he traveled more than 125,000 miles and visited almost all 92 counties.

“It was an incredible journey. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said.

Fayette County Democrat Chairman Tim Rose said he is proud of what Locke was able to accomplish this year.

“We are very proud of Sam and we are glad he won Fayette County. Being county chairman, I am glad his hometown supported him. It’s just a shame the state didn’t follow. Sam is a rising star in the Democrat Party and I am certain he will be moving on to bigger and better things,” he said.

What follows is an excerpt from Locke’s election night concession speech:

“In thinking of the results from this evening, I am reminded of a line from a song I heard in Church growing up in Connersville. The line read, ‘We may lose a battle every now and then, but we’ve already won the war.’

“It appears tonight that across Indiana, and indeed the nation, our Party has lost this battle. But we will win the war. We will win the war because we are the Party that stands with children, not corporations. Because we are the Party that fights for the Veteran’s who have fought for us. Because we are the Party that creates solutions to complex problems, not the one who governs in sound bites. Because we are the Party who believes in reform while protecting jobs and workers. Because we are the Party that welcomes everyone and champions diversity. And because, even through all of this, we are the Party that would rather choose hope than nope.

“Friends, because of you, this is kid from Connersville has had the ride of his life-but the ride is not over yet. In the coming weeks, let’s re-build, re-group, re-energize, reform, and re-ignite and let’s go win the war on behalf of our great state!”

Text of Sam's Concession Speech

2010-11-03T16:49:00.002-04:00

Sam Locke’s Election Night Concession Speech
November 2, 2010
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

Good evening! A few moments ago I called Auditor of State Tim Berry and congratulated him on his re-election this evening. Auditor Berry and I have had different opinions on the role and approach the office should take over the past year, but he has served our state faithfully and I am certain he will continue to do so.

While I wish the results had been different, I accept and respect the will of Hoosier voters and suggest that we can still celebrate our achievements over the past year and a half - both politically and as a matter of public policy. Sometimes we can achieve, even while falling short from the original goal.

I am absolutely convinced that our pressure for more financial transparency helped contribute to the launch of the State’s new transparency website and, while we would have done more, it is a win for Hoosier taxpayers. Additionally, our ideas for modernizing and innovating the state’s financial management system and for creating meaningful “Statehouse First” government reforms continue to receive bi-partisan support. I’m also proud of the exposure we’ve brought to an important position many Hoosiers did not know existed.

Politically, we have led the most hard-fought campaign for this position by either Party in nearly three decades, and successfully challenged the process to say that a young man from Southern Indiana can stand up against the good-old-boy network that has controlled our State for too long. In doing so, I believe our Party has opened its doors to a new generation of leaders and embraced a new approach for mounting campaigns for Statewide office through our assertion that every county, every town, regardless of size or demographics, has an important role to play in electing Democrats.

For whatever faults this campaign may have had, they begin and end with me alone because I have been honored to work with the most amazing group of supporters, staff, volunteers, friends, family, and “Lockestars.” To name them all would take the rest of the evening, but I want to extend a special thanks to a few folks whose work has helped me more than these simple words can express.

Fayette County Chairman Tim Rose & Floyd County Chairman John Wilcox for their early support and encouragement.

Tony Long, Tim Southworth, Butch Morgan, Sherianne Standley and several other members of State Central Committee for being our advocates within our Party.

Montgomery County Chair Kathi Schrone and Eric Schrone for logging as many miles as your statewide ticket to ensure no Parade in Indiana was left without Vop, Sam, and Pete regalia.

The Monroe County Democratic Party, Chairman Rick Deitz and Vice-Chair Pam Warren, for allowing us to take up root at their wonderful facility in Bloomington.

The Indiana University College Democrats for the hours spent volunteering on my behalf and for allowing me to feed off of their incredible enthusiasm.

My energetic and hard-working staff over the course of the campaign- Shawn Walter, Brittany Brown, and Nicole Langert and a special thanks to staff member Jason Fricke, our campaign’s lead staffer, who, at such an early stage in his political experience, has done an incredible job managing the operations and voter outreach strategy of a major statewide campaign.

My family and lifelong friends who have supported everything I have ever attempted and, finally, the person who has perhaps sacrificed the most in allowing me to reach for my dreams - my top advisor, my best friend, and my wife, Kara.

In thinking of the results from this evening, I’m reminded of a line from a song I heard in Church growing up in Connersville. The line read, “we may lose a battle every now and then, but we’ve already won the War.”

It appears tonight that across Indiana, and indeed the nation, our Party has lost this battle. But we will win the war. We will win the war because we are the Party that stands with children, not corporations. Because we are the Party that fights for Veteran’s who have fought for us. Because we are the Party that creates solutions to complex problems, not the one who governs in soundbites. Because we are the Party who believes in reform while protecting jobs and workers. Because we are the Party that welcomes everyone and champions diversity. And because, even through all of this, we are the party that would still rather choose hope than nope.

Friends, because of you, this kid from Connersville has had the ride of his life - but the ride is not over yet. In the coming weeks, lets re-build, re-group, re-energize, reform, and re-ignite and let’s go win the War on behalf of our great State!

Locke Announces Election Day Schedule

2010-11-01T17:03:00.002-04:00

Media Advisory: Locke Announces Election Day Schedule

Sam Locke, Democratic Candidate for State Auditor, announced his Election Day schedule today. He will greet voters in his home township prior to casting his ballot in Floyds Knobs. Locke will then make several stops around the State to greet voters with his wife, Kara, before ending at the Indiana Democratic Party’s Election Night Celebration at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Complete details follow below.

7:00 - 8:15 AM
Greet Voters at Floyds Knobs Elementary School
4484 Scottsville Road, Floyds Knobs

8:30 AM
Sam and Kara cast their ballots
Floyds Knobs Community Club
4032 Weber Lane, Floyds Knobs

12:30 - 1:30 PM
Greet Voters at Kuhlman Center
Wayne County Fairgrounds
861 N Salisbury Road, Richmond

2:00 - 3:00 PM
Greet Voters at Union County Middle School
488 State Road 44 East, Liberty

3:30 - 4:30 PM
Greet Voters at Connersville Baptist Temple
1380 E State Road 44, Connersville

6:30 - Midnight
Watch Election Returns with Supporters
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Ballroom 9
350 W Maryland Street, Indianapolis

Approx. 9 PM
Sam makes Election Night Remarks
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Ballroom 5
350 W Maryland Street, Indianapolis

For my information on Locke’s campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com

DONATE - VOLUNTEER

Contact Information:
(812) 455-7816

(812) 322-7186jason@lockeforindiana.com

sam@lockeforindiana.com
www.lockeforauditor.com

Statewide Democrat Ticket to Tour State This Weekend

2010-10-28T00:30:00.002-04:00

STATEWIDE DEMOCRATIC TICKET
TO TOUR STATE THIS WEEKEND
Vop Osili, Sam Locke and Pete Buttigieg will visit 12 communities in final push for votes
INDIANAPOLIS – The Democratic candidates for secretary of state, state auditor and state treasurer will join forces this weekend on a barnstorming tour of the state to rally supporters and stump for last minute votes ahead of Tuesday’s election.

Secretary of state nominee Vop Osili, state auditor nominee Sam Locke and state treasurer nominee Pete Buttigieg will visit 12 cities over the weekend.

The following is a schedule of stops the Democratic trio will make. All times are local. The public and media are invited to attend all events.
Friday, October 29, 2010
10:30 am
Indianapolis
Tour Kick-off (Media availability)
IBEW 481 Hall
1828 N Meridian St.

12:00 pm
Bloomington
Rally
City Hall Steps
401 North Morton St.

2:30 pm
Terre Haute
Rally
Vigo County Headquarters
509 Wabash Ave.

5:00 pm
Vincennes
Rally
Knox County Headquarters
405 Main St.

7:00 pm
Evansville
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner
The Centre
715 Locust St.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
10:00 am
New Albany
Rally
Floyd County Democratic Party Headquarters
223 Pearl St.

1:30 pm
Connersville
Rally
Fayette County Democratic Party Headquarters
426 N Central Ave.

4:00 pm
Kokomo
Rally
UAW Local 685
929 E. Hoffer St., Kokomo

6:00 pm
Fort Wayne
Rally
Allen County Democratic Party Hog Roast
2930 West Ludwig Rd.

Sunday, October 31, 2010
8:00 am
The candidates will attend church services

2:00 pm
Lafayette
Rally
Tippecanoe County Democratic Headquarters
529 Main St.

3:30 pm
Portage
Rally
Clancy’s Irish Pub
2542 Portage Mall

7:00 pm
South Bend
Rally
St. Joseph County Democratic Party Headquarters
135 S. Lafayette Blvd.

For more information on Pete Buttigieg’s campaign for state treasurer, please visitwww.peteforindiana.com. For more information on Sam Locke’s campaign for state auditor, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com. For more information on Vop Osili’s campaign for secretary of state, please visit www.votevop.com.

Locke: Government reform should start in Indianapolis

2010-10-28T00:09:00.002-04:00

LOCKE: GOVERNMENT REFORM SHOULD START IN INDIANAPOLIS

Sam Locke, Democratic Candidate for State Auditor, announced three weeks ago that he would unveil four major innovations planned for the office should he be elected by Hoosier voters on November 2nd.

Locke has already outlined his plans to propose more elaborate payable and contract audits, discussed ways the Auditor can play a bigger role in curbing waste, and detailed additional measures the State should take to ensure financial transparency. He continues this week by pledging to be a vocal advocate for government reform, starting from within the State’s financial management structure. Locke said, “For many Hoosiers, recent local government reform proposals lack credibility because they sense Indianapolis interfering with local governance without taking a look in the mirror. I believe any meaningful government reform must start with Indianapolis setting the example, and most Hoosiers would agree we are far from that scenario.”

Specifically, Locke will advocate for the following reforms aimed at making the State’s financial structure work more effectively::

Streamline responsibilities of the myriad of agencies and boards on which the Auditor serves. The highly-nuanced nature of these organizations, such as the State Board of Finance and Board of Depositories, make it nearly impossible for local government units and taxpayers to direct accountability to a single source. These bureaucratic layers have led to critical million-dollar mistakes impacting local government entities.

Research the concept of consolidating the State Auditor and State Treasurer positions into a new State Comptroller role to eliminate overhead and overlapping responsibility. Significant, medium-term, business process improvements must be realized in both offices before fully feasible.

Lobby for reform of the State’s audit trail. The Auditor’s books, meant to be a check on the Governor, should be audited by an independent accounting firm, not the gubernatorial-appointed State Board of Accounts.

Locke concluded, “Hoosier taxpayers should feel confident that State officials are looking to themselves for reform before pointing the finger at local government - exactly what these initiatives will achieve.”

For my information on Locke’s campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com

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Floyds Knobs man among those vying for state offices

2010-10-21T11:42:00.000-04:00

Floyds Knobs man among those vying for state offices

Locke continues innovation discussion; wants more transparency

2010-10-20T12:10:00.002-04:00

LOCKE CONTINUES INNOVATION DISCUSSION; WANTS MORE TRANSPARENCY
Sam Locke, Democratic Candidate for State Auditor, announced two weeks ago that he would unveil four major innovations planned for the office should he be elected by Hoosier voters on November 2nd. Locke began by proposing more elaborate payable and contract audits and discussing ways the Auditor can play a bigger role in curbing waste. He continues this week by calling for more transparency with in the State’s finances. Locke said, “Hoosiers should know exactly how and where their money is being spent, because it is their money-not the State’s.”

There has been a lot of discussion regarding transparency recently surrounding the State’s unveiling of a new “one-stop” transparency portal. Locke said of the portal, “I don’t want to be a politician who attacks for the sake of attacking - the idea is right and should be commended. In grading its implementation, the score goes down considerably.” Locke added, "Transparency is about more than just dollars and cents – the portal must go further in providing raw data and independ ent analysis as to where Indiana is choosing to spend its money.”

Specifically, Locke will implement or advocate for the following improvements to the transparency portal and additional fiscal transparency measures:

Expand the transparency portal to include search-able expenditure information down to extreme details. If a taxpayer wants to see how much was spent in January for road salt from minority-owned businesses in Indiana, they should be able to do so without any hassle. This is a level of service already considered standard in most localities. Periodic summaries by various categories should also be included.
Expanding the transparency portal to include travel vouchers and state vehicle mileage logs for elected officials and agency directors.
Lobby for reform of the State’s audit trail. The Auditor’s books, meant to be a check on the Governor, should be audited by an independent accounting firm, not the gubernatorial-appointed State Board of Accounts.
Produce more frequent financial statements than required by the General Assembly
Developing partnerships with the Secretary of State to proactively provide financial information to Indiana businesses seeking to do business with the State as a mechanism for keeping more Hoosier dollars in Indiana.
Locke concluded, “Additional transparency and the others innovative ideas we bring to the table will move the Auditor’s office forward as a true watchdog for Hoosier taxpayers.”

For my information on Locke’s campaign, please visitwww.lockeforauditor.com.

DONATE - VOLUNTEER

Contact Information:
(812) 455-7816

(812) 322-7186jason@lockeforindiana.com

sam@lockeforindiana.com
www.lockeforauditor.com

Our response to Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette's Endorsement article

2010-10-18T23:10:00.000-04:00

To the Editor:

In endorsing Auditor of State Tim Berry for another term, the Journal-Gazette’s editorial board stated the Statewide offices up for election this year are “best run when the elected leaders act not as partisans but as competent, efficient, independent managers.” They concluded, “State auditor Tim Berry has a record of doing just that.”

The facts tell a different story. Auditor Berry has had nearly twelve years as a Statewide financial administrator to make an impact on expanding financial transparency and making the Auditor’s office an independent watchdog for Hoosier taxpayers. Instead, he has delivered an incomplete, Election-eve, transparency website rehashing information taxpayers already had access to while rubber-stamping wasteful spending to include the millions wasted in the FSSA’s dispute with IBM (working in lock-step with other partisan leaders) and personal abuse of taxpayer funded travel. Berry lists his best accomplishment as returning 12% of his operating budget to the State’s general fund - a positive aim, but with only pennies of impact per taxpayer compared to what the office can do if truly engaged in developing innovative business practices.

The Editorial Board is right in calling for a competent, efficient, and independent Auditor - exactly what my experience as a military officer, small business owner, and non-profit manager will bring to the table. I will transform the office by immediately moving to implement a more robust accounts payable and contract audit process, advocating for reductions and reform in the state’s financial management agencies, increasing the use of electronic records, improving accessibility of public financial data, and working with other state officials to find innovative ways to keep more Indiana dollars in Indiana.

I encourage voters to visit my website at www.lockeforauditor.com to learn more about me and my ideas for the office. Let’s shake things up with a political outsider and demand the Auditor’s office be a truly independent voice for Hoosier taxpayers.

Sincerely,
Sam Locke
Democratic Candidate for State Auditor

Auditor candidates want you to see what state spends

2010-10-18T20:15:00.000-04:00

Auditor candidates want you to

see what state spends

Written by: Mary Beth Schneider, Indianapolis Star

No matter which candidate wins the race for state auditor, one thing seems clear: Hoosiers can expect to see more information about state government online.

Incumbent Tim Berry, the Republican seeking re-election, earlier this year unveiled a website,www.transparency.in.gov, on which people can look up state contracts, state employee salaries, budgets and other financial information for local and state governments.

Now he and his two challengers -- Democrat Sam Locke and Libertarian Eric Knipe -- all say they want to put even more information online so Hoosiers can know how their tax dollars are being spent.

Locke, a 28-year-old former Air Force officer who works at the Presbyterian Church's national headquarters in Louisville, Ky., said Berry "deserves some credit" for the website, "but it doesn't go nearly far enough. In many ways, it is just repacked old news."

Locke said he wants to upgrade it so that Hoosiers "almost in real time can see where their tax dollars are going. Every single transaction should be online for folks to publicly be able to critique and question it."

Berry, 49, who spent two terms as state treasurer before winning election as auditor in 2006, said that in the coming weeks, he will be unveiling improvements to the website so people can see all state expenditures.

"We really need to take it to the next step," Berry said, adding that he hopes to include not only state spending, but also university and local government spending, either as part of the state's website or through separate sites.

And, he said, he wants the General Assembly to pass legislation making online searches of expenditures a permanent tool for Hoosiers.

Knipe, a 30-year-old self-employed real estate broker and consultant, said he is running in part to help Libertarians gain more visibility and so voters have a choice beyond Republicans and Democrats. But, he added, government transparency is his top issue. People, he said, should be able to "see every single payment made."

Berry also is touting his fiscal stewardship, noting that the office has reduced spending to 2003 levels to help the state cope in tough times. Locke said more could be done, including "a more robust accounts payable and contract recovery audit."

By ferreting out overpayments and cost overlaps, he said, the state could save an estimated $10 million a year.

That may not be much when the state's budget is about $27 billion over two years, he acknowledged, "but $10 million can go a long way to help in this economic climate."

Candidates cite goals for auditor | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

2010-10-17T23:05:00.000-04:00

Candidates cite goals for auditor | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

Locke announces more innovations by targeting state waste

2010-10-14T19:58:00.000-04:00

LOCKE ANNOUNCES MORE INNOVATIONS BY TARGETING STATE WASTE

Sam Locke, Democratic Candidate for State Auditor, announced last week he will unveil four major innovations planned for the office should he be elected by Hoosier voters on November 2nd. Locke began by proposing more elaborate payable and contract audits and continues this week by discussing several ideas the Auditor’s office can explore to curb waste. Locke said, “The Auditor’s role in processing billions in payments on behalf of Hoosiers should be used to make the Office a watchdog for Hoosiers, holding those who waste taxpayer dollars accountable.”

Examples of waste seem to abound in State government - small dollar waste like over-priced office supplies and millions wasted on logo-bearing trinkets, colossal incidents of waste like the recent IBM/FSSA debacle, and even abuse of publicly financed travel.

Locke said, “While the Auditor does not have the power to stop an agency from spending properly legislated funds, it does have the power to be a vocal advocate for Hoosier taxpayers, using the ‘power of the pulpit’ to disseminate expenditure information, a critical gap of the recently unveiled transparency portal.”

Additionally, Locke will implement or advocate for the following ideas aimed at cutting waste in State government:

Publishing reports weekly on a randomly selected State agency’s spending habits as a mechanism for additional transparency and placing agency directors on notice that Hoosiers will gain information on their spending decisions.
Using information coordinated by the Auditor to advocate for better purchasing efficiencies.
Expanding the transparency portal to include travel vouchers and state vehicle mileage logs for elected officials and agency directors.
More advanced payable audits (as described last week).
Encourage the development of a program to incentivize state employees and private citizens to develop ideas which lead to significant waste being trimmed from the State budget.
Locke concluded, “These ideas, and others we’ve talked about along the campaign trail, will ensure the office acts as an independent voice for Ho osier taxpayers and moves away from its current role as a bureaucratic payment processor.”

For more information on Locke’s campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

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Contact Information:
(812) 455-7816

(812) 322-7186jason@lockeforindiana.com

sam@lockeforindiana.com
www.lockeforauditor.com

Ind. statewide races more interesting than usual

2010-10-10T20:12:00.000-04:00

Ind. statewide races more interesting than usual

By DEANNA MARTIN

Associated Press Writer
10:05 AM CDT, October 9, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS

The normally sleepy races for Indiana auditor, treasurer and secretary of state are tangled this year in campaign themes of alleged voter fraud, government transparency, a federal lawsuit and gold buying.

The stories have made interesting headlines and provided plenty of campaign fodder for Democrats hoping to beat Republicans, who enter the race with the advantage of voter enthusiasm. But voters will decide Nov. 2 whether issues Democrats are raising make any sizable difference.

Making a splash can be difficult in races that typically don't get much attention.

"A lot of people don't even know what they do," said Brian Vargus, a political analyst at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

In the race for secretary of state, Republican candidate Charlie White voted in the May primary using his ex-wife's home as his address instead of the condo he bought in February.

White, an attorney, blamed his busy schedule and new marriage for what he calls an honest mistake. He changed his voter registration in September and resigned from the Fishers Town Council after acknowledging his new condo is outside his council district.

Democrats said White committed a clear case of voter fraud and was blatantly skirting the law to hang on to his council seat. Current Secretary of State Todd Rokita, a Republican who is prevented by term limits from seeking a third term, is investigating.

Democrat Vop Osili -- an Indianapolis architect who says his parents called him Vop to stand for Voice of the People -- said the state's chief election officer must know and follow election law.

"This is an issue that we cannot take likely," Osili said. "If you are going to police others, surely you should be able to police yourself."

Sensing White being vulnerable on the issue, the Indiana Democratic Party sent an e-mail to supporters Wednesday asking for donations in the race.

"This is an election that we can win," the e-mail said. "Now, more than ever, our candidate Vop Osili needs your support."

White said Democrats are trying to pounce on a personal issue that he predicted wouldn't resonate with everyday voters.

"They want to know what we can do to help their lives," White said. "They don't want to hear both sides personally attacking each other."

In the race for state treasurer, Democrat Pete Buttigieg (pronounced BOOTA'-judge) has criticized incumbent Republican Richard Mourdock for his fight last year against Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings that he took all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

He also said Mourdock shouldn't have appeared at an event featuring conservative talk show host Glenn Beck because of Beck's advertisements for a gold dealer. Buttigieg, a South Bend businessman, said the appearance "sends the message that it's OK to steer people into deceptive investment schemes."

Buttigieg said the treasurer's office should be one of caretaker and steward -- not a way to push an "extremist" political agenda.

"This is supposed to be a pretty boring office," Buttigieg said. "These kind of distractions, I think, polarize people. I certainly don't think they're helpful."

Mourdock said the state treasurer is prohibited from buying gold, and that he admires tea party voters for "not sitting on their hands" during this year's elections. He said he's proud that he stood up for Indiana's pension funds affected by the Chrysler bankruptcy and said Buttigieg is just grasping at straws.

"He's just desperate, grabbing, trying to get attention," Mourdock said. "When most people talk about this office, their eyes quickly glaze over. It's not about politics as he's trying to make it. It's about fiscal responsibility and honoring the law."

In the race for state auditor, incumbent Republican Tim Berry has touted a new state transparency website launched this year that shows budget information, revenue and expense data, contracts and other information. Berry says taxpayers should be able to see how their dollars are being spent.

But Democrat Sam Locke says the website is too little, too late.

The Floyds Knobs consultant said voters deserve more complete transparency with raw data so that independent analysis can be done. Locke said the site doesn't show where tax money ends up once it's funneled to job incentives through the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

Democratic hopefuls in the three statewide races will likely struggle to get their messages to voters since they don't have millions of dollars to spend on frequent commercials around the state, Vargus said.

Meanwhile, Republicans are enjoying some key advantages heading toward November, including nationwide enthusiasm among GOP voters and the work Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels is doing to help other Indiana candidates.

"It's the Republican label that's very attractive," said Sean Savage, a political science professor at St. Mary's College in South Bend

Evansville Courier Press: Newcomer faces GOP incumbent in Indiana auditor race

2010-10-10T19:54:00.000-04:00

Newcomer faces GOP incumbent in Indiana auditor race

Fiscal transparency on minds of both

CLAIRE MOORMAN CAPITOL BUREAU / (317) 631-7405moormanc@courierpress.com

Sunday, October 10, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS — As Indiana copes with a recession that has gutted tax revenues and forced spending cuts, both parties' candidates for state auditor say fiscal transparency is on their minds.
Republican incumbent Tim Berry served for eight years as the state treasurer before his dissatisfaction with the state's financial system led him to run for auditor.
The state needed a more integrated system, he said, to ensure internal control of finances and to give taxpayers an idea of where their money was going.
After failed efforts to push state lawmakers to enact transparency legislation, Berry's office decided to create a fiscal transparency website for Indiana's taxpayers on its own.
"Transparency is vital. It provides greater accountability, because it's not really the state's money, it's taxpayer money," Berry said. "A year ago, we started the single largest software implementation in Indiana government history."
That website, which launched in August, is transparency.in.gov.
Berry said the site successfully integrates all units of state government, providing detailed information about the revenue and budget, as well as listing the salaries of all state employees, updated weekly and in a searchable format.
Democratic challenger Sam Locke has his doubts about the website. Though he admits that the idea was a good one, he is less impressed with the implementation.
"The data was all already there on other sites. What's missing is information about expenditures," said Locke.
Locke said that if elected, he would work to improve the site, adding state spending information he says will be beneficial for small businesses and individual taxpayers.
"We want Hoosiers to be able to see exactly where their money is going, whether the state spends $10 on office supplies or millions building I-69."
Berry maintains that the website is an aid to citizens and a work in progress, with more information already lined up to be added in the next quarter.
"Some of this information was never available. Some of it was available through public information requests," Berry said. "You really had to know where to search and know where it was in state government. It has helped taxpayers maneuver through state government in a one-stop portal."
While Berry has held a state office for 12 years, Locke is a newcomer. Locke said he became interested in politics at a young age — his grandmother was a local government official — and he is now making his first run for public office at age 28.
"I think it's an office that is often overlooked but can have a big impact on people's lives," Locke said of his decision to run for auditor. "In today's economic climate, with folks worried about the economy, that role gives the auditor a chance to save millions of tax dollars."
Locke hopes to impact the state budget by keeping watch for overlapping costs and implementing accounts payable recovery audits, a computer-auditing process which Locke said could save the state about $10 million.
Though he lacks public experience, Locke's fresh face and perspective have resonated with voters, he said.
"Folks are ready for a change, they're looking for fresh ideas and people who are willing to bring new ideas to offices that have been out of the public eye, like the auditor."
On the other hand, Berry is confident that his record of efficiency, state retirement plan reform and transparency will convince voters that he is still the best man for the job.
"As I said in my inauguration speech, as state auditors we won't often make headlines, but we will continue to listen," he said. "I'm going to pledge to the voters that I will continue to do what I've always done: be a fiscal conservative."

Locke to unveil four major policy initiatives; proposes deeper payable audits

2010-10-08T00:13:00.000-04:00

LOCKE TO UNVEIL FOUR MAJOR INNOVATIONS; PROPOSES DEEPER PAYABLE AUDITS

Sam Locke, Democratic Candidate for State Auditor, announced today he will unveil four major innovations planned for the office should he be elected by Hoosier voters on November 2nd. The plans will be announced weekly, beginning today. Locke believes that after nearly twenty-four years of one party control, the Auditor’s office should play a more strategic role in widening financial transparency, developing cost saving initiatives, and serving as a watchdog for Hoosier taxpayers.

Locke’s first proposal for innovating the office is the development of a more robust accounts payable and contract recovery audit. A public records request made to the Auditor’s office earlier this year revealed no long-term contract was in place for this service.

Recovery audits are processes used widely in the private sector and recently made a priority by the federal government through the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010. The process, among other things, identifies duplicate payments and detects small-dollar fraud on an ongoing basis.

Locke said, “A third party recovery audit that digs deeper than existing audit requirements will ensure the State is making accurate payments without errors.” He continued, “According to independent recovery audit firms we’ve spoken to, the state could identify as much as $10 million in savings during the first year without costing Hoosiers a single additional cent.”

Looking at historic payment records, recovery auditors scan for payments made erroneously, often in small dollar increments, but adding up to significant savings. Recovery audits also provide insights on areas where internal business processes can be improved.

Locke expressed, “The Auditor’s office would be wasting an immediate opportunity to find savings and prevent additional waste without implementing this type of audit in a more robust fashion. We hope Hoosiers give us the chance to develop these and other programs with the aim of taking a bigger-picture view of how the Auditor’s office can be a leader in creating fiscally conservative management principles. I believe Indiana taxpayers will value this role over rubber-stamp payment processing. ”

For more information on Locke’s campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

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State Auditor candidate stresses fiscal responsibility, transparency

2010-10-07T23:39:00.000-04:00

By BILL RICHMOND, City editor
Published: Thursday, October 7, 2010 10:57 AM EDT
    In keeping with his 92-county campaign strategy, State Auditor candidate Sam Locke last week made his third stop in Randolph County since spring.

    Locke said the comprehensive strategy has been joy from the start, giving him a real first-hand impression of what people want from the person who will serve as their next auditor.

    "The experience has been wonderful," he said. "We've met a lot of incredible Hoosiers to hear their concerns. People across the state say they want fresh leadership with new ideas - people who are willing to challenge the status quo.

    "I think people like our ideas."

    He said although running such a labor-intensive campaign can be daunting, the real work begins once a candidate is elected to carry through with promises and satisfy voter expectations.

    "My main concern now is talking to voters who may not have made up their minds but know they want a government that is more transparent and more responsive to their needs," he said. "That is something that even the most conservative of candidates are behind to a great degree.

    "I understand this is a race that doesn't get as much exposure because it doesn't deal with such polarizing issues. Dealing with state finances is important, even if it isn't flashy."

For the rest of the article, see the Thursday, October 7 edition of the News-Gazette

2010-10-04T23:12:00.000-04:00

Take a look at this post from Jon Easter at the Indy Democrat Blog

Democrat Locke Set for Joint Appearance with Berry at South Bend Tea Party Event

2010-09-26T22:48:00.000-04:00

DEMOCRAT LOCKE SET FOR JOINT APPEARANCE WITH BERRY AT SOUTH BEND TEA PARTY EVENT

Democratic Auditor of State Candidate Sam Locke is set for a joint appearance with his Republican opponent this Tuesday, September 28th, 2010, in South Bend. The event is sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Michiana (CCoM), a Tea-Party affiliated organization in northern Indiana. Additional statewide and legislative candidates have been invited.

“While other Democrats might be cautious to make this appearance, I believe my message of transparency and innovation leading to costs savings will deeply resonate with the values of CCoM,” Locke stated Friday. An Air Force officer, non-profit fundraiser and small business owner, Locke has made several similar appearances this year where his ideas have been positively received.

When asked why he feels comfortable, as a Democrat, in front of groups that are often portrayed as strongly conservative, Locke answered “The things we’re talking about aren’t blue versus red Washington politics, they’re about Hoosier common sense - eliminating waste, saving tax dollars, increasing government transparency – ideas that everyone can get behind.”

Locke continued, “What I like about groups like Concerned Citizens of Michiana is that they are independent minded citizens excited about getting involved in the electoral process. They want their voices heard and don’t care which side of the aisle an idea comes from, as long as it represents responsible government and openness – idea’s we’re fighting to take to the Statehouse. My opponent has had nearly 12 years in the statehouse to move Indiana’s financial innovation and transparency forward and yet we’re still behind over 30 other states. Hoosiers deserve better and I’m excited to share my ideas with CCoM and other Hoosiers as we work towards November.”

The Concerned Citizens of Michiana’s Meet the Candidates Night will be held at 7pm at St. Paul’s Memorial United Church (1001 W Colfax, South Bend).

For more information on the campaign, please visit http://www.lockeforauditor.com/.

Online Auction - "Giving" by Bill Clinton

2010-09-09T22:45:00.002-04:00

A supporter recently donated a signed copy of "Giving" by Bill Clinton to the campaign in hopes it could be used to help raise some funds for the home-stretch.

Over the course of the campaign, I've talked about my experience in the non-profit sector and how we can bring those ideas for innovation and transparency into the Auditor's office - President Clinton's book highlights what is being done by many organizations to achieve those aims and more.

I invite you to participate in the online auction by clicking here now. All proceeds from the auction will help us get our message out to voters in the closing months of the campaign. You can also learn more, volunteer, or donate online at www.LockeforAuditor.com.

Thank you for your continued support,

* Auction does not imply endorsement

Letter to Monroe County Election Board Encouraging Satellite Voting on IUB Campus

2010-09-07T23:34:00.000-04:00

August 22, 2010

Monroe County Election Board
301 N College Ave
Bloomington, IN 47404

Dear Board Members,

I’m writing today to urge you to vote in support of continuing the use of satellite voting centers on the campus of Indiana University. Doing so will provide students an easily accessible way to participate in and learn about the political process with as few obstacles as possible.

During my time in Monroe County as an Indiana University student, satellite voting was not available on campus. As a consequence, I witnessed peers taking a lethargic approach to the political process – in the heart of election season you might not have known anything important was going on at all unless you were a Political Science student. Sadly, for many of these people the lethargy learned during this formative period has never been erased from their outlook on our political process.

Contrast this lethargic dynamic with the election of 2008 – students on both sides of the political aisle were alive with the process. They engaged in debate on critical issues, researched what Party and/or candidates fit their viewpoints, actively registered their peers to participate, supported the candidates of their choice, and ultimately exercised that excitement with their peers at an easily accessible on-campus polling site. This on-campus dynamic even led to high-profile candidates visiting campus, recognizing students as a powerful voice and giving them a better chance of making informed decisions. The process achieved two bi-partisan aims – unfettered access to the ballot and an incredible learning experience.

You have the power to teach the current generation of Indiana University students a valuable lesson about politics which will remain with them for a lifetime and, in the process, make a statement about the values of public service. Will that lesson be one of limiting access, participation, and excitement in pursuit of partisan political gains or will it be a lesson that political involvement, as part of the college experience, is a virtue that transcends cost and arbitrary party labels?

I’m confident you will stand firmly with the latter in voting to maintain the use of satellite voting facilities on the campus of Indiana University.

Respectfully Submitted,

Samuel Locke
Democratic Nominee for State Auditor

State's New Portal: Politics, Not Transparency

2010-09-05T23:01:00.000-04:00

STATE'S NEW PORTAL: POLITICS, NOT TRANSPARENCY
Auditor of State candidate Sam Locke responded to the initial release of Indiana’s new transparency portal last week with praise and skepticism. While the site will allow Hoosiers to view an extremely basic breakdown of state revenue, expenditures (eventually) and the allocation of stimulus dollars it does not go far enough in showing Hoosiers where their tax dollars are being spent.

With the exception of a few new dynamic graphs and colorful spending charts, most of the data has previously been available on other State websites. Additionally, the site boasts budget information as passed by the legislature in 2009, not as it exists after the massive budget cuts imposed by Governor Mitch Daniels. The site also gives no mention to where tax dollars go after they're allocated to the controversial 'job incentives' sector the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and promises additional features will “eventually” be added, without providing a concrete implementation timeline.

State Auditor Tim Berry, calls the new website a "one stop portal" but users still must follow several external links to see many pieces of information offered by the site. It could easily become unclear as to which agency is responsible for particular content and analysis.

Since the technology allowing the site to function has been available for months, Locke thinks the timing of the portal’s release reeks of politics. Locke said of the portal, "This was a calculated political move meant to pass-off incomplete work as good government to Indiana taxpayers. We will do better." Locke continued, “My opponent has had nearly twelve years as a State Official to show leadership in financial transparency yet chose to do so two months before the toughest electoral challenge of his career. Hoosiers will agree that his efforts, while a good start, are ‘too little, too late.’”

Locke added, "While I am in complete agreement that Hoosiers need to know where their tax dollars are going, it needs to be done in a more complete manner that makes information, not politics, the top priority. Transparency is about more than just dollars and cents – the portal must go further in providing raw data and independent analysis as to where Indiana is choosing to spend its money.”

In addition to providing more proactive and transparent information regarding the State’s finances, Locke also pledges to implement innovative business practices to find additional tax savings for Hoosiers and actively call-out wasteful spending by state agencies. While these efforts won’t bridge the entire budget gap, they will help legislators fund priorities that benefit our struggling economy – job creation, economic stimulus, and an investment in future generations of Hoosiers.

For more information on the campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

DONATE - VOLUNTEER

Contact Information:
(812) 455-7816

(812) 322-7186
jason@lockeforindiana.com

sam@lockeforindiana.com
www.lockeforauditor.com

Hamilton, state Democrat ticket to hold media availability on Thursday in Indianapolis

2010-08-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

INDIANA DEMOCRATS

A New Generation of Leaders for Indiana

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Media Contact: Jeff Harris, 317.847.4781 or jeff@peteforindiana.com

Jason Fricke, 812.322.7186 or jason@lockeforauditor.com

Kyle Cox, 317.408.8053 or kyle@votevop.com

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Hamilton, state Democrat ticket to hold media availability on Thursday in Indianapolis

Lee Hamilton, Vop Osili, Sam Locke and Pete Buttigieg to take reporters’ questions

INDIANAPOLIS – Please join former Congressman Lee Hamilton, Democratic Secretary of State nominee Vop Osili, State Auditor nominee Sam Locke and State Treasurer nominee Pete Buttigieg for a media availability on Thursday in Indianapolis.

The former congressman and 9/11 Commission vice chair recently announced his intention to step down as president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC and return to Indiana. Hamilton, who will continue to lead Indiana University’s Center on Congress, is expected to formally endorse the statewide ticket.

Reporters are invited to McCormick and Schmick’s in downtown Indianapolis at 1:15pm for an informal session with the Hamilton and the Democratic team.

For more information on Pete Buttigieg’s campaign for State Treasurer, please visit www.peteforindiana.com. For more information on Sam Locke’s campaign for state auditor, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com. For more information on Vop Osili’s campaign for secretary of state, please visit www.votevop.com.

          WHAT:     Media availability with former Congressman
                             Lee Hamilton and the statewide Democratic ticket

          WHEN:     1: 15 p.m.
                             Thursday August 26, 2010

          WHERE: McCormick and Schmick’s
                             110 North Illinois Street
                             Indianapolis, Ind.

###

Auditor's Questionable Travel Continues with Tea Party Appearance

2010-08-05T05:18:00.003-04:00

Auditor's Questionable Travel Continues with Tea Party Appearance
Information obtained in a recent public records request has once again found Auditor of State Tim Berry taking questionable trips statewide - financed by taxpayers and using state resources. On June 14, state travel records detail that Auditor Berry drove his government vehicle 232 miles to the City of Bluffton, for what was described in the disclosure as a “revenue report.” Further comparison to a list of campaign appearances on his Facebook page and campaign website revealed this report was delivered to a meeting of the 6th District Constitutional Patriots, a local Tea Party-affiliated organization.

Berry has already been put on notice by Democratic challenger Sam Locke for taking taxpayer funded trips near political stops and for launching political attacks to media outlets during those stops. Locke responded to the latest development by saying “This is yet another example of the lack of accountability we have been talking about for weeks. Using hard earned, Hoosier tax dollars to creatively schedule campaign stops and then ambiguously recording it in public record is clearly inappropriate. While I recognize state regulations give elected officials a significant amount of 'gray area' for public travel, it is clear to objective observers that this activity is inappropriate.”

Locke went on to say, "My opponent will defend the travel by saying he is carrying out official business in allowing non-partisan groups learn more about the State's finances. Even if one could argue that the most recent visit was non-partisan, we need to question the value of a such a large road-show to present the report when so many opportunities for digital delivery are available. It seems ironic that Berry's report talks about how the State must find additional areas to cut expenses while he takes an expensive campaign-year tour of Indiana."

Locke challenges Berry, for a third time, to immediately stop using taxpayer resources for travel associated with political activity and to join all five other major party Statewide candidates in reporting travel expenses on his campaign finance report filed with the Indiana Secretary of State.

For more information on the campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

On-Notice for Political Travel, Berry Resorts to Attacks and Double-Speak

2010-07-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

Auditor of State Tim Berry, yesterday, attended the meeting of the South Bend Rotary Club. On notice from our press release earlier this week, Berry pointed out that he was not in South Bend to campaign, but “[was] here to report on the state’s fiscal health.” While presumably making the trip on the taxpayer’s dime (official documentation has been requested), Mr. Berry managed to find some time during this “non-political” trip to attack Democratic candidate Sam Locke’s age and perceived experience.

After the meeting Berry said to a South Bend Tribune reporter, “Do you want to put somebody who is idealistic and has very little experience and background in charge of a $13 billion organization?” Sam Locke responded by saying, “Most Hoosiers wouldn’t call tax savings and transparency idealistic - like me, they’d call it common sense.”

Additionally, Berry stated “These aren’t entry-level jobs.” Locke responded, “I couldn’t agree more. As an officer in the United States Air Force, small-business owner and manager in the fund raising arm of the National Headquarters of a mainline Church, the real issue is the lack of innovation and independence in this office over the last two decades. Making real-world, everyday changes that save money and make public operations more transparent are actions most Hoosier companies deal with daily and are what my experience has proven I can accomplish, too.”

Locke continued, “In November, I will be happy to put my record of military service, small business ownership, and nonprofit sector consulting up against Mr. Berry’s record as a career government bureaucrat.”

Our campaign once again calls on Mr. Berry to end the political double-speak and immediately stop using taxpayer funded trips to make political attacks. Again, we implore Mr. Berry to amend his campaign finance report to show the cost of travel expenses in his campaign and to reimburse Hoosiers for the money used on trips disguised as official business to attack political opponents.

Locke Calls on Berry to File Transparent Campaign Finance Reports

2010-07-21T08:07:00.000-04:00

LOCKE CALLS ON BERRY TO FILE TRANSPARENT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

Auditor of State Tim Berry’s recent campaign finance report reveals much about his campaign. Despite listing dozens of campaign stops on his campaign website and Facebook page, he lists no travel expenses on his quarterly financial report. This exclusion means that Auditor of State Tim Berry has either (1) filed an incorrect financial statement with the Secretary of State or (2) used resources available to him as a public official (car, mileage reimbursement, etc.) to make campaign stops.

Our campaign immediately calls upon Auditor Berry to either file an amended financial report with the Secretary of State or to reimburse Hoosier taxpayers for the public resources used for campaign appearances.

One can learn a lot from financial statements. Whether they are the State’s financial statements, as we examined earlier in the week in our opinion-editorial piece, or the quarterly financial reports political candidates are required to file with the Secretary of State, numbers tell the story of priorities, successes, and failures.

Our second quarter campaign finance report reveals some critical facts about our campaign as well:

· We nearly tripled the contributions of our opponent

· Our donations came largely from private citizens, in most cases in amounts of $30 or less

· We are committed to taking our message of innovation and transparency across the state, our second largest expense item was statewide travel

The primary goal of the State Auditor’s office, under Sam Locke’s leadership, will be to provide unprecedented access to transparent information about the State’s finances. How can we trust Tim Berry to provide the same level of transparency when his campaign finance reports illustrates such carelessness?

For more information on the campaign, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

OPINION-EDITORIAL: State Auditor's “Closing of the Books” More Spin than Fact

2010-07-19T08:06:00.000-04:00

The Auditor of State should be an independent watchdog for Hoosier taxpayers, not a source of partisan spin used to further the agenda of one political party. On Friday, the current Auditor of State “closed the books” on the State’s fiscal year. Rather than reporting a quantitative analysis of the State’s fiscal condition, we received a highly nuanced report that did little more than serve as tenets supporting the spending policies of the current administration. One would have thought that Auditor of State Tim Berry was an employee of the Governor rather than an independent voice for Hoosier taxpayers.

In his press conference Friday, Auditor of State Tim Berry led Hoosiers to believe that Indiana continues to be fiscally sound compared to other State Governments. The facts tell a different story:

Indiana has spent nearly half of its reserves, a decision that will essentially postpone additional cuts to a more politically sensitive time period. Without the use of reserves, Indiana would have been operating under deficit spending;

No strategic plan exists to respond to the continual decline of corporate and personal income tax streams, which left alone, will force more draconian cuts similar to those posed on K-12 education in the latest round of spending cuts, and;

The recent cuts to the state budget have been made with very little legislative oversight. Efforts to understand specific cuts and the procedures for making them have been met with zero transparency.

While intelligent minds can disagree on spending priorities in the time of financial crisis, the role of the State Auditor must remain constantly analytical. I believe the Auditor’s office should be a source of independently reviewed financial data and analysis, not just another source of political spin. In addition to providing more proactive and transparent information regarding the State’s finances, I will also implement innovative business practices to find additional tax savings for Hoosiers. While it won’t bridge the entire budget deficit (yes, that is what we have), it will help legislators fund priorities that benefit our struggling economy – job creation, economic stimulus, and an investment in future generations of Hoosiers. This is the least we should expect from Indiana’s Chief Financial Officer.

For more information on the campaign or the event, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

Contact Information:

(812) 455-7816

(812) 322-7186

jason@lockeforindiana.com

sam@lockeforindiana.com

www.lockeforauditor.com

Indiana UAW CAP endorses Sam Locke for auditor

2010-06-24T11:23:00.000-04:00

Indiana UAW CAP endorses Sam Locke for auditor

The Indiana UAW Community Action Program has unanimously endorsed Sam
Locke for state auditor.

"Sam Locke will be excellent as the official responsible for seeing
that Indiana's tax dollars are not misused in any way,"said Maurice
"Mo" Davison, director of Region 3, which includes Indiana. "He's tenacious and dedicated to detail, two qualities that are necessary to be state auditor."

Locke, a Democrat from Floyds Knobs, earned his undergraduate degrees
in secondary education and political science before being commissioned
as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his master's degree in
public administration from the University of Wyoming while serving his
country at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base.

This announcement is paid for by the UAW Region 3 Victory Fund, with
voluntary contributions from union members and their families, and is
not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Mitch Daniels and the “culture of secrecy” in Indiana

2010-06-04T00:43:00.000-04:00

A great piece on the lack of transparency in Indiana government on DailyKos today with a shoutout for our campaign: Mitch Daniels and the culture of secrecy in Indiana

2010-02-22T23:52:00.002-05:00

A recent series of articles published in the Post-Tribune of Northern Indiana calls Auditor of State Tim Berry to task on a calculation mistake that will have a deep impact on the City of Gary.

According to the publication, the miscalculation will likely mean the already cash-strapped Gary will need to return $7.6 million dollars. The deepest impact will likely be felt by Gary’s public transit system, sanitation district, and school district.

The article says that local officials believe a formula designed by a private consulting firm was not used as specified, causing Auditor Berry and Indiana’s Distressed Unit Appeals Board to authorize a larger disbursement than appropriate.

The full text of the article may be read here.

How did two State agencies and a private consulting firm overlook a $7.6 million dollar error? Perhaps the old adage of “too many cooks in the kitchen leads to a mess” is true in this instance. I believe government reform efforts in Indiana need to start at the top – there are too many costly and overlapping finance panels and many are good at pointing the finger at each other, but few are good at working together. With basic communication and collaboration, this costly mistake impacting the citizens of Gary could have been avoided.

This error highlights the impact the often overlooked State Auditor’s position has on Hoosiers and illustrates the need for innovation and transparency with our State’s fiscal policy.

Join my campaign to modernize the Auditor’s Office and help stand-up for the City of Gary by making a symbolic contribution of $7.60, signing up for email updates, or joining our Facebook group.

http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2059350,gbooker0220.article

2010-02-22T19:06:00.000-05:00

http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2059350,gbooker0220.article

Support Sam's Charity Challenge

2009-10-22T07:37:00.000-04:00

Attend our event to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society this Monday, October 26, 2009, from 5-7 PM at the Rathskeller in Downtown Indianapolis. It is open to the public and strictly non-partisan. If you can't attend but would like to support the challenge, visit www.karaandsam.com.

2009-10-21T23:13:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Indiana Statewide

Sam Locke, a resident of Floyd County, Indiana, and native of Connersville, Indiana, announced today he is exploring a bid for the Democratic nomination for State Auditor in 2010. Sam’s background has all the skills one would hope for in the public official charged with “paying Indiana’s bills."

Attention to detail learned as an Air Force officer
A deep desire to be transparent learned as a successful nonprofit manager
An entrepreneurial spirit learned as a small-business owner

Combine these skills with a passion for technology and genuine Hoosier common sense, and we have a candidate for public office who will be a true steward of your tax dollars.

As the Constitutional officer charged with spending the State’s money, Locke believes the Office of State Auditor can play a larger role in creating savings for the taxpayer – by identifying cost overlaps, becoming more technologically efficient, and holding state agencies accountable to the public for wasteful spending. Locke also believes all of the State’s financial transactions should be more easily transparent to its citizens and posted in an online database for public examination.

Hailing from the non-profit industry, Locke is also issuing a challenge to statewide candidates from all political parties: hold at least one fundraiser for a charity of their choice. Let’s face it – politicians know how to raise money. Because of the economic meltdown, many charities, like many States, are having a hard-time making ends meet. Locke believes public servants and political candidates owe their communities a great deal and what better way to promote excellent causes than by using their fundraising ability and networking skills to the community’s benefit.

Locke, together with his wife, Kara is hosting an event on Monday, October 26, 2009, from 5-7 PM at the Rathskeller in downtown Indianapolis to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The event is non-partisan and the public is welcome to attend.

For more information on the campaign or the event, please visit www.lockeforauditor.com.

Contact Information:
(812) 322-7186
samuel.locke@gmail.com
www.lockeforauditor.com