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Working for Hoosiers
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The General Assembly works in many different policy areas like education, health and public safety to improve our state. Alongside Senate Republicans' priority
bills, below are some noteworthy bills I supported in the first half of the 2024 legislative session.
Support Hoosier
students,
Senate Bill 6
Ensuring our children can read is the single most important thing Indiana's education system can do so students can be successful. SB 6 would require the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to create a method for schools to identify and support students who have already moved on from third grade and are at risk of being non-proficient in reading. This bill would work with Senate Bill 1 to improve literacy skills.
Justice for victims, Senate Bill 151
Rape is often traumatizing and very difficult to process for victims, and it can be overwhelming for victims to decide when and how to report the crime to law enforcement. SB 151 would remove the statute of limitations on all rape crimes committed against children and adults, allowing victims the time they
need to come forward to report the crime.
To learn more about these and other bills being considered, click here. |
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Indiana Ranked Top Agricultural State
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Indiana again ranks as one of the nation's top agricultural states. The state's agricultural product is valued at more than $18 billion, according to recently released agricultural census data from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Agriculture is critical in supporting and stimulating our state's economy as rural Indiana stands at the forefront of safeguarding Hoosier values. Farmers have represented the core of Hoosier excellence and they continue to do so by pioneering agricultural exceptionalism.
During my time in the Senate, I have supported pro-agriculture legislation like House Enrolled Act 1557 (2023) and this year's House Bill 1183.
I was also one of three senators to oppose House Enrolled Act 1483 (2021) because it excluded some farmers who were impacted by grain elevator failures in 2021 from being eligible to claim compensation for grain storage losses.
As your state senator, I will continue to stand with our farmers, work to preserve our farmland and fight to make sure regulations never overburden rural Indiana. |
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Annual Child and Family Welfare Community Book Drive
On Wednesday, the Statehouse hosted the Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy's (IARCA) Annual Child and Family Welfare Community Book Drive.
IARCA serves at-risk children and families. Ensuring the children they serve have access to books is important because learning to read is critical to a child's development. I am proud to join IARCA in their efforts and thank them for visiting the Statehouse.
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Meeting Huntington University Students
This week, I was happy to have students from Huntington University visit the Statehouse and meet with me to discuss issues that are important to them, including legislation being considered this session.
Thank you for visiting the Statehouse!
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Recognizing Bishop Luers Football Team
On Wednesday, I presented Bishop Luers Football Coach Kyle Lindsay, his assistants and the senior football players with Senate Concurrent Resolution 16, which honors their State Championship win.
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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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James Pinkerton, 80 years old
Anna Atkins, 81 years old
Gene Holm, 82 years old
Marilyn Reust, 83 years old
Hershel Monroe, 84 years old
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Mona Rees, 85 years old
Jerome Hevner, 86 years old
Roberta Rector, 87 years old
Gary Shanks, 88 years old
Loretta Emley, 89 years old
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File the FAFSA this College Goal Sunday
Students in need of guidance can attend College Goal Sunday, Indiana's largest FAFSA filing event, at several locations across the state this Sunday, Feb. 25, from 2 - 4 p.m.
High school seniors and college students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before
April 15 to be considered for all federal and state financial aid opportunities.
To learn more about and complete the FAFSA, click here.
To learn more about College Goal Sunday and view locations, click here.
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