Indiana Attorney General advocates for strong stance against antisemitism
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita expressed his strong support for an antisemitism measure as passed unanimously by the Indiana House of Representatives, before the proposal’s most meaningful components were gutted by an Indiana Senate committee.
The original version of this bill, passed unanimously by the House, provided a uniform definition to increase awareness of anti-Jewish discrimination and increase predictable enforcement, especially in our schools – ranging from kindergarten to college. The Senate removed language condemning hateful calls for the destruction of Israel — bowing to misguided arguments that terms like “From the River to the Sea” and “Globalize the Intifada” are directed at Israel, not specific Jewish people or organizations.
“We must do better,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The only way to fix this is to pass this Senate version, which was made toothless, so the House can make it correct again in conference committee. Anything less than that is a betrayal of Jewish individuals and the whole notion of equal protection under the law.”
This bill defines antisemitism and provides that antisemitism is discrimination on the basis of religion.
A new study by the Anti-Defamation League found 73% of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the start of this school year. This, combined with the devastating attacks on Israel on October 7, raised awareness and encouraged the General Assembly to push this bill. Attorney General Rokita has rigorously supported this bill to further shield the people of the Jewish faith.
Bloomington Mayor appoints new Fire Department Chief
Bloomington’s Mayor Kerry Thomson named Roger Kerr as the new Chief of the Bloomington Fire Department. Kerr has been serving as interim chief since the start of the Thomson administration on January 1st. He was selected for the permanent role based on his successful performance as interim chief and his long history with the department. Kerr will officially retire as a career firefighter on March 11 and become the appointed fire chief as a civilian effective March 12th.
“Without a doubt, Roger Kerr is the best person to lead the Bloomington Fire Department forward,” said Thomson. “He has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues. He brings the experience of a career firefighter who has worked his way up the ranks. And, he has the skills and heart of a leader and a public servant.”
Kerr, who has been with the Bloomington Fire Department since 1988, previously served as Chief from 2008 to 2014. He has also held the rank of Battalion Chief, Captain, Engineer, Ariel Technician, and Firefighter throughout his career.
Bloomington launches Geohub Geospatial Portal
The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services (ITS) Department today announced the launch of the new Bloomington Geospatial Hub (GeoHub) at https://geohub.bloomington.in.gov/. The GeoHub is the primary public resource for web maps, dashboards, and applications from the ITS Department’s GIS Division. Utilizing the industry’s best practices in the creation of the site, the GeoHub allows for easier access to GIS content and increases transparency within the community.
Sinnce the early 2000s, the City of Bloomington has deployed GIS tools for enterprise use. Over the last few years, the City has updated its GIS platform, allowing for the development of user-centered interactive applications and the creation of the GeoHub. City of Bloomington ITS GIS staff are responsible for the development and maintenance of the City’s central enterprise geodatabase, creating and updating datasets, producing cartographic maps, providing data analysis, and developing web mapping services and applications. The GeoHub showcases City data and applications with a fresh and easy to navigate website.
In addition to the launch of the new GeoHub, the GIS team has redesigned the Historic Resources and Preservation map showing Bloomington’s local, state, and national historic resources, as well as the results from the 2018 Historic Sites and Structures Survey. The new Historic Preservation map is the first of a new generation of public-facing GIS applications featuring a mobile device friendly, intuitive, and accessible design that is the new standard for all City of Bloomington GIS applications.
In the coming months, residents can expect to see the redesign of the current GIS mapping applications such as Zoning Districts, Council Districts, and the Bicycle Network along with release of new applications. The GIS team plans to create an interactive property map allowing residents to easily view address details such as economic incentives, zoning classifications, and districts.
Where’s my refund?
“Where’s my refund,” is the #1 question from customers. The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) offers two ways to get an answer without waiting to speak with Customer Service.
- Online via INTIME
- Automated refund line: 317-232-2240 (option 3)
You’ll need your primary or spouse’s Social Security number or a taxpayer ID and the exact amount of your expected refund. You won’t need to log into INTIME to get the information. Allow a minimum of three weeks for electronically filed returns and 12 weeks for paper-filed returns. Your refund could be delayed if information is missing, DOR requests additional information, or there is a math error. If you owe, you can pay on INTIME.
This Week in Hoosier History
Will Geer and American actor was born in Frankfort, Indiana. Greer was a musician, and social activist, who was active in labor organizing and other movements in New York and Southern California in the 1930s and 1940s. In California he befriended rising singer Woody Guthrie. They both lived in New York for a time in the 1940s. He was blacklisted in the 1950s by Hollywood after refusing, in testimony before Congress, to name persons who had joined the Communist Party. In his later years, Geer was best known for his role as Grandpa Zebulon “Zeb” Walton in the TV series The Waltons from 1972 until his death in 1978.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson