Pence urges positive approach to tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Governor Mike Pence still believes that the General Assembly will approve his request for a 10 percent cut in the state income tax. 

However, he wants some of his supporters to take a new approach. Pence is a believer in Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment. It tells members of the GOP to never speak ill of another Republican and Pence wants his supporters to follow it.

The governor sat down with reporters in his Statehouse office and addressed the opposition to his tax cut proposal.

"It's essential that we remain positive," Governor Pence said.

It's an approach the tea party organization called Americans for Prosperity doesn't follow in radio and TV ads that criticize the House version of the budget. 

"Earlier this week I encouraged that organization to consider a more positive approach," said Pence.

And then there's the Tuesday experience when Pence gave a sales pitch to mayors from around the state and just one person in the crowd clapped. 

"But he applauded vigorously," said the governor as he tried to make light of it. "But on that issue I understand that their association had taken a different view, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share our positive message for why I believe across the board income tax relief will strengthen Indiana's economy including strengthening the economies of our cities and towns."

Thursday the state Senate takes up formal consideration of the budget which no longer contains the Pence tax cut. The governor, however, continues to express confidence that he will get the tax cut passed before lawmakers go home at the end of April. 

He also indicated that he is not interested in a compromise.