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Recognizing Life at all Stages
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Here is a copy of my latest op-ed, which ran in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
As a father of five children, a member of the Catholic Church and an Indiana state senator, I have and always will support pro-life legislation that protects unborn babies and supports parents. In recent years, the Indiana General Assembly has placed more emphasis on pro-life policymaking by enacting much-needed legislation, but there is still more work that needs to be done to ensure unborn babies are completely protected in Indiana. Recognizing the need to protect life in all areas of the law, this session I am introducing a bill that further
values the lives of unborn babies and protects parents' hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
The bill provides that an unborn baby is considered a dependent child for the purpose of allowing parents to claim a $2,500 income-tax exemption while the mother is pregnant, as long as valid proof of pregnancy is met through legal documentation. This tax exemption by no means fully covers the cost of having a child, but it is a way for the state to provide families with some financial support. According to Indiana's non-partisan Legislative Services
Agency, this bill would benefit about 60,000 families per year, and save families $7 million per year collectively.
Indiana is one of the most pro-life states in the nation. Which is why during the 2022 special legislative session, I worked tirelessly in the General Assembly to pass Senate Enrolled Act 1. SEA 1 terminates the licensure of abortion clinics and bans most abortions in Indiana – with few exceptions. Protecting unborn children is also part of Indiana's criminal law in that, if a pregnant woman is killed, the person who committed the crime can face
tougher sentencing since the law considers the unborn child a second victim. If Indiana acknowledges life in instances like these, shouldn’t we protect life in other areas of law?
As an Indiana lawmaker, it is my duty to support legislation that benefits all Hoosiers, and this is part of my effort to do so. As we head into the 2024 legislative session, I urge my fellow Republicans to join me in advocating for policies that further protect unborn babies and support Hoosier families.
If you have any questions or concerns about this bill or other issues, feel free to contact my office by email at [email protected] or by calling 800-382-9467.
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Scholarship Available for Future Teachers
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High school and college students interested in teaching are encouraged to apply for the Next
Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship through Jan. 31.
Created by the Indiana General Assembly, the renewable scholarship awards recipients up to $10,000 for a maximum of four academic years totaling $40,000.
This is a $3,500 increase from previous years after lawmakers allocated $24 million in the new 2024-25 state budget to better support future teachers' career success through the scholarship.
Qualified students must have either graduated in the top 20% of their high school class or earned a score in the top 20th percentile on the SAT (1190) or ACT (26). Students must also commit to teaching in Indiana for at least five years after college graduation.
Applications are available through ScholarTrack here.
Click here to learn more.
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Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
Indiana crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that support survivors of sexual assault received more than $5 million in Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Fund (SAVAF) grants.
Created and funded by the Indiana General Assembly, the SAVAF grant program helps provide a comprehensive statewide response to support victims of sexual assault.
To view a list of recipients and learn more, click here.
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Applications Open for Operation Holiday
Program
Veterans and their families who are experiencing financial hardship this holiday season could receive $200 for holiday meals and $300 per dependent child through
the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs' Operation Holiday Program.
Applications are open through Dec. 29. To learn more and apply, click here.
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Indiana
State Police Criminal Analyst Positions Open
The Indiana State Police is accepting applications
for Criminal Analyst Supervisor positions through Sunday,
Dec. 17 by 11:59 p.m.
The supervisory position in the north region will cover the Peru,
Lafayette, Lowell, Bremen and Fort Wayne districts.
To apply and learn more, click here.
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Civics
Competition for Middle School Students
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is hosting the
first ever National Civics Bee, a civics competition for students in
sixth to eighth grade.
Eligible students who have an idea on how to solve a problem in their community
using civics are encouraged to submit an essay to the Greater Grant County Chamber of Commerce before Jan.
8, 2024.
Students selected as finalists will have the chance to compete at the state
level in Indianapolis, and then at the national level in Washington, D.C.
I encourage local students in Senate District 17 to give this a shot! It is a
great opportunity to learn about the importance of civic engagement, have a
chance to win cash and earn recognition!
To submit an essay and learn more, click here.
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