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| Halftime at the Statehouse |
| The Indiana General Assembly entered the second half of the 2024 legislative session this week. This year, 110 of the 297 bills introduced in the Senate during the first half passed, including the following Senate Republican priority bills. |
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Improve students' reading skills, Senate Bill 1
- Provide Science of Reading instruction
- Commit to early detection and remediation for students not reading at grade
level
- As a last resort and with exceptions, retain third-grade students not reading well enough to move on to fourth grade
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Ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars, Senate Bill 4
- Create an ongoing process to review and return unused state funds to the state's General Fund
- Enable state agencies to lower or eliminate fines and fees more quickly
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Protect Hoosiers' health, Senate Bill 5
- Help Indiana utility companies replace unhealthy lead water lines in Indiana homes and businesses faster and more efficiently
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The Senate and House of Representatives have traded each other's bills that passed during the first half of session for further consideration. Lawmakers have until March 14 to complete all legislative business for the 2024 legislative session. As your state senator, I remain committed to passing legislation that serves Hoosiers' best interests.
To track legislation, click here. |
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| A Legislative Update |
This week, a bill that I'm sponsoring from the Indiana House of Representatives has moved further in the legislative process.
House Bill 1138 would improve
social work licensure by permitting graduate social work students to take their licensure exam during the last semester of their program. HB 1138 was amended and passed through the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor and will now be heard by the full Senate.
To learn more about bills I have authored, supported and sponsored this session, click here.
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Promoting the Rule of Law
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There's no question one of the top issues on Americans' minds is illegal immigration. Our country is facing a crisis at our southern border, and continued lack of leadership at the federal level is to blame.
Last week, I sent a letter to Gov. Holcomb strongly encouraging the deployment of our state's National Guardsmen to the southern border, which is why I proudly support his recent decision to send 50 National Guardsmen to our southern border to support Texas's efforts to contain the issue.
The border crisis is a direct result of the federal government's inability to protect its citizens properly. We can no longer stand for the Biden administration's failed open border policies that have allowed an unprecedented number of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs to enter the U.S., severely threatening our nation's security. The brave men and women in our National Guard made a
commitment to serve when duty calls, and I am grateful for their bravery as they head to Texas to protect our nation and take efforts to secure the border.
Indiana has worked too long and too hard fighting the drug epidemic in our state, and the constant supply of drugs flowing in from our southern border is a direct threat to Hoosiers. That's why states are stepping up to address this problem to the extent that we can.
Here at the Indiana General Assembly, I co-authored a
bill this session to reinforce our state's policy against sanctuary cities, which are localities that limit or deny cooperation with federal immigration authorities in enforcing immigration laws.
As your state senator, I'll continue supporting policies that welcome people to our country who are legally seeking all the freedom and opportunity America has to offer.
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| Indiana Adult Education Day at the Statehouse |
This week, I delivered the keynote speech at Indiana Adult Education Day at the Statehouse. I received a certificate recognizing me as an Adult Education Champion and I am thankful for this honor and will continue to be an advocate for
these programs.
This event allows the Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education to honor and publicly recognize the accomplishments of those who work to improve our state's adult education system.
Earning a high school diploma or its equivalent is extremely important. However, there are currently 424,804 Indiana adults without a high school diploma or its equivalent, which can create a significant barrier to their economic success.
Although these challenges are still prevalent, our state has made tremendous efforts to address this gap. Last year during the budget session, I advocated
for the need to increase Indiana's investment in adult education funding. I'm glad to see that funds were increased by $12 million changing the total amount of funding from $100,487,977 to $112,487,977.
There is always more work we can do to improve our adult education system, and I will continue advocating to ensure all Hoosiers have access to resources that can create a bright and prosperous future.
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Meeting with Members of Indiana Occupational Therapist Association
This week I had the opportunity to meet with occupational therapists at the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association's annual Day at the Capitol. I enjoyed speaking with them about their profession and advocacy efforts. Thank you for coming to the Statehouse!
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To be eligible for a nomination, a business must have continuously operated in Indiana for 50 to 100 years, been based in Indiana since its founding and a history of community service.
Award nominations are open through April 12. To learn more, click here.
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Wishing a 'Happy Birthday' to the following members of Senate District 17 for the month of February!
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Anthony Stults, 80 years old
Sandra Boxell, 81 years old
Carol Morehead, 82 years old
Rebecca Swathwood, 83 years old
Caroline Hall, 84 years old
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Beverly Knee, 85 years old
Shirley Chapman, 86 years old
Melvin Clingaman, 87 years old
Carolyn Underwood, 88 years old
Joanne Barnett, 89 years old
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My constituent survey helps me better understand what Hoosiers think about issues impacting our community and state.
To view the results, click here. |
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