A look in the Indiana House Republicans’ priorities for Indiana Legislative Session
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) says maintaining fiscal responsibility, looking out for Hoosier taxpayers, and keeping government small will be top of mind as lawmakers craft the state’s next two-year budget. Huston said the House Republican budget will include significant investments in the state’s mental health providers and programs, in addition to those resources supporting low-income women and children.
To continue attracting business and talent, Huston said House Republicans’ budget will support a $500 million investment to launch READI 2.0, a program that has become a critical economic development tool. In phase one, Indiana’s initial $500 million investment successfully leveraged another $6.5 billion in private and other non-state funding to create transformative projects in communities large and small.
House Republicans will not only focus on accelerating economic growth, but also powering up and skilling up the workforce needed to meet the demand. In addition to making another record investment in K-12 education, which makes up about 50% of the state’s budget, House lawmakers will focus on empowering Hoosier students and families.
State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville) authored House Bill 1002 to expand work-based learning, apprenticeship and internship opportunities in high schools. In addition, the bill would allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential. Huston, a longtime advocate of empowering Hoosier parents, said House Republicans’ budget will also include expanding opportunities for parents to choose the best school that works for their child.
Huston said he is largely disappointed in the lack of action by Indiana’s insurers and nonprofit hospitals in addressing record-high health care prices, especially after calling on them in December of 2021 to develop a plan to reduce costs. A pair of House bills, including House Bill 1003 authored by State Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) and House Bill 1004 authored by State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel), aim to lower patient and employer costs through increased transparency, accountability and competition in the health care marketplace.
House Bill 1005, authored by State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart), will expand housing options to meet the demands of Indiana’s growing population. State Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) worked with Indiana law enforcement, courts and health care officials to craft House Bill 1006, which would ensure individuals with mental health conditions receive treatment in local hospitals, not jails.
State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) authored House Bill 1007 to support a diverse and robust energy plan that ensures reliability and affordability. State Rep. Ethan Manning’s (R-Logansport) House Bill 1008 would ensure Indiana’s public retirement fund investment strategies remain focused exclusively on maximizing returns, not political and social issues.
To support Hoosier women and unborn children, State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) will offer House Bill 1009 to allow child support payments to start at conception. Huston said he believes unborn children are owed a duty of support from both parents.
Bloomington FreezeFest returns this weekend
Bloomington’s third annual Freezefest will take place from Friday, January 20 through Saturday, January 21, 2023. Gather your friends and family to experience exciting winter festivities. Freezefest is a great opportunity to get out of the house this winter! Be dazzled by frozen art, explore downtown Bloomington, and create fun winter memories with your crew during this one-of-a-kind Bloomington festival.
Friday, January 20:
- 11am-7pm live ice carving demos by internationally-recognized sculptors, family activities, food truck and more at The Mill
- 6-10pm outside ice bar on Upland Brewing Company patio
- 7:30-9pm B-Town Ice Battle on Upland Brewing Company outdoor stage (all ages). Watch the talented ice sculptors battle it out for the coveted Golden Chain Saw
Saturday, January 21:
- 10am-3pm live ice carving demos by internationally-recognized sculptors, family activities, food truck and more at The Mill
- 11am-2pm Chilly Cook-Off inside The Mill – tickets are $12.00 (free for kids 10 & under) proceeds benefit the United Way of Monroe County
- 3-5pm Winter Palooza at the Switchyard Park – $5.00 per person
Deadline approaching for Indiana Governor’s Fellowship
The deadline to apply to the 2023-2024 Governor’s Fellowship is approaching. The Governor’s Fellowship is highly selective and provides a unique experience in Indiana state government by placing fellows in various state agencies on a rotating basis throughout the year.
The program is open to college graduates who receive their bachelor’s degrees in either summer or fall of 2022 or spring of 2023. Fellows are paid, full-time employees who participate in the day-to-day activities of state government. Many Governor’s Fellow participants have gone on to successful careers in both the public and private sectors — with some serving at the highest levels of local, state and federal government. The application and submission guidelines can be found online at www.in.gov/gov/fellowship.htm. To be eligible for consideration, the application and all supporting materials must be postmarked or submitted via email by January 31, 2023.
If you have questions about the fellowship, contact Emily Clancy at the Governor’s Office at eclancy@gov.in.gov.
This Week in Hoosier History
1937 – Dick Durock was born in South Bend. At over 6 1/2 feet tall, he became a popular stuntman and actor in many movies and TV shows, including Swamp Thing, Incredible Hulk, Magnum PI, Dynasty, and The Rockford Files.
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