Contact Information
Legislative Assistant: Andrew Alvarez
Phone: 317-232-9620 | 1-800-382-9841
Press Contact
Welcome, and thank you for visiting my website. I am honored to represent House District 52 and am humbled and ready to serve in the 119th General Assembly. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me. It is imperative that we work together to help Indiana remain on the current path of fiscal integrity and economic growth.
Please use this site as a tool to keep updated about what is happening with state government and what I'm working on at the Statehouse along with issues affecting our community. If you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve our district.
Ben Smaltz
House District 52
Indiana House of Representatives: 2012 - present
House District 52: DeKalb County and portions of Steuben and Allen Counties
Committees:
Telephone:
Occupation: President and Owner of Taylor Rental
Education: Ball State University
Representative Ben Smaltz was elected to the Indiana General Assembly in November 2012. Prior to serving his community as a state representative, he served on the DeKalb County Council for 10 years - the past seven years as its President. He is also the President of his family business, Taylor Rental Company, which his parents opened in 1977.
On the County Council, Rep. Smaltz has proven that he can make tough decisions; supporting the movement for Centralized Emergency Communications and leading the council to a balanced budget every year. He saved the county taxpayers money when he took the position that the State of Indiana was unfairly charging counties for the care of inmates in state institutions.
In 2011, Rep. Smaltz was able to lead his county council in actually reducing their tax collection levy. He was vocal in his opposition to a new tax called the Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) and the Local Option Highway Users Tax (LOHUT) saving local taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars every year.
Most importantly, Rep. Smaltz is a husband and father. Meeting at Ball State University in 1988, Rep. Smaltz later married his college sweetheart, Shelley, in 1994. They started a family in Auburn, Ind. where he, his wife and their two children - Henry and Megan - continue to live today.
Henry and Megan both graduated from DeKalb Central High School.
House District 52 is composed of all of DeKalb County and portions of Steuben and Allen counties in northeast Indiana. To find your House District, click here.
STATEHOUSE (Oct. 20, 2020) – Hoosiers can vote absentee-in-person at several locations across Northeast Indiana until Nov. 2, according to local lawmakers
STATEHOUSE (Oct. 13, 2020) – Northeast Indiana lawmakers encourage local communities to apply for the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program to help fund local road and bridge projects.
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 24, 2020) – Northeast Indiana lawmakers encourage local residents to register to vote or check their registration status before the Oct. 5 deadline using the state's online voter portal at IndianaVoters.com.
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 16, 2020) – Area lawmakers encourage local college students and recent graduates looking to gain valuable work experience to apply online for a paid internship with the Indiana House of Representatives at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 28, 2020) – Area lawmakers encourage local arts and cultural organizations that are financially struggling because of the pandemic to apply for new state grants.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 24, 2020) – With about $570 million in unclaimed property available, area lawmakers say Hoosiers should visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov today to see if money is waiting for them.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 14, 2020) – Area legislators said new resources are available to help students succeed, especially as COVID-19 complicates the start of the school year.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 11, 2020) – Area legislators recently announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 7, 2020) – Area legislators recently announced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 3, 2020) – Area lawmakers encourage Hoosier small-business owners and entrepreneurs to apply for a free program that provides direct technical support to help build their online presence.
STATEHOUSE (July 30, 2020) – When students begin school in the coming weeks, a new opportunity to fulfill graduation requirements will be available to high school juniors and seniors to tutor younger students, according to State Reps. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and Denny Zent (R-Angola).
STATEHOUSE (July 30, 2020) — Charleston Metal Products Inc. recently received the Governor’s Half Century Business award recognizing its longstanding service in the community, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (July 21, 2020) – Indiana is temporarily expanding its successful Next Level Jobs program through Dec. 30 to include more job seekers and employers, according to area lawmakers.
STATEHOUSE (July 20, 2020) – According to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn), 2020 Census responses are critical to future federal funding in local communities, and Hoosiers should respond now if they have not already done so.
STATEHOUSE (May 26, 2020) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) encourages Hoosiers whose jobs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of tuition-free training grants offered through Indiana's Next Level Jobs program.
STATEHOUSE (May 18, 2020) – Local small businesses and nonprofits can now utilize the state's new online marketplace to request personal protective equipment, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (May 1, 2020) — According to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn), Lakewood Park Christian School senior Addeline Kruse recently received the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. Kruse will pursue a career in education at Taylor University.
STATEHOUSE (April 21, 2020) – Northeast Indiana legislators said assistance for a variety of mental health issues is available for Hoosiers struggling to cope with the overwhelming effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
STATEHOUSE (April 9, 2020) – With Indiana school buildings closed for the academic year, Northeast Indiana legislators said there are several online resources available to help students continue learning at home.
(April 7, 2020) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) recently welcomed a local student to the Statehouse to serve as a page during the 2020 legislative session.
STATEHOUSE (April 2, 2020) – Northeast Indiana legislators are encouraging Hoosier workers and small businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic to access recently expanded state and federal resources for help.
PHOTO CAPTION: (from left) State Reps. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne), Matt Lehman (R-Berne), Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn), Denny Zent (R-Angola), Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) and Dave Abbott (R-Rome City) pair sneakers with their suits to help kick off February as National Cancer Prevention Month on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at the Statehouse.
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 28, 2020) – The House of Representatives Tuesday supported State Rep. Ben Smaltz’s (R-Auburn) bill that would protect Hoosiers from surprise medical billing.
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 22, 2020) –State Rep. Ben Smaltz’s (R-Auburn) bill protecting Hoosiers from surprise medical billing passed unanimously out of the House Insurance Committee on Wednesday.
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 16, 2020) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) encourages Hoosier students interested in state government to participate in the Indiana House Page Program during the 2020 legislative session.
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 13, 2020) – The House Insurance Committee on Wednesday will consider State Rep. Ben Smaltz’s (R-Auburn) bill protecting Hoosiers from surprise medical billing.
STATEHOUSE (Oct. 10, 2019) – DeKalb County and local communities were recently awarded over $2.3 million in state matching grants to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
Note to the Press: Please include the following statements from State Reps. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) and Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) in your coverage of today’s update on Indiana’s investigation of the more than 2,000 fetal remains found on the Illinois property of the late Dr. Ulrich Klopfer, who ran several abortion clinics in northern Indiana.
“Indiana’s unborn could have been better protected starting today. While I am disappointed in the court’s decision and believe this is an issue of states’ rights, the remainder of the bill is intact and I am hopeful that the attorney general will vigorously appeal this ruling. In light of this recent action, we now have a greater duty to continue to be the voice for those unable to speak for themselves.”
STATEHOUSE (May 22, 2019) – Aspiring teacher Evan Lung from DeKalb High School was recently selected to receive the Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (April 15, 2019) – On My Way Pre-K applications for the 2019-20 school year are now available for DeKalb County 4-year-olds, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (April 9, 2019) – A DeKalb High School graduate is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and his fellow members of the Indiana House of Representatives during the 2019 legislative session.
STATEHOUSE (April 4, 2019) – Legislation co-authored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) prohibiting dismemberment abortions in Indiana recently was passed by the Senate and could soon become law.
STATEHOUSE (April 2, 2019) – The House of Representatives and Senate recently approved legislation sponsored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) in an effort to improve office-based opioid treatment centers.
STATEHOUSE (March 29, 2019) – The Widney-Carpenter Family Farm was recently recognized at the Statehouse for being in operation for over 150 years, according to State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) and State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (March 22, 2019) – Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) in an effort to improve office-based opioid treatment centers recently passed unanimously out of the House.
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 11, 2019) – “My family and I are deeply saddened by the loss of two lives as a result of a fire in Garrett. Our prayers go out to the families who lost a loved one and our thoughts are with them. We also pray for all others that were injured and affected by this tragedy. I want to thank all of the emergency responders for their efforts, without them there could have been further loss of life.”
STATEHOUSE (Dec. 21, 2018) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) encourages students who want to learn more about state government to participate in the Indiana House Page Program during the 2019 legislative session.
STATEHOUSE (Dec. 7, 2018) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) was recently reappointed to serve as chair of the House Public Policy Committee.
On Nov. 6, voters will have the opportunity to support a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure Indiana continues to live within its means – just as Hoosiers do every day. If passed, the amendment would hold state government accountable by requiring the Indiana General Assembly to maintain an honestly balanced state budget.
STATEHOUSE (Oct. 16, 2018) – College students and recent graduates seeking an internship with the Indiana House of Representatives must submit their applications before the Oct. 31 deadline, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
Note to the Press – State Reps. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and Denny Zent (R-Angola) provided the following statements in response to concerns about the Michindoh Aquifer’s water supply. Smaltz reached out to the governor, Indiana’s Congressional delegation and other elected officials to help with this effort.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 16, 2018) — Local family farms were recognized Friday at the Indiana State Fair for being in operation for 100 years or more, according to area lawmakers.
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 16, 2018) – Family farms from Allen County in operation for 100 years or more were recognized Friday at the Indiana State Fair, according to local legislators.
STATEHOUSE (July 6, 2018) — “I’m truly overwhelmed today with a sense of awe. Throughout this team’s journey, they’ve seized each opportunity and been rewarded with success every step of the way. Their efforts have inspired and strengthened our community.
“Basketball is part of our state’s sports heritage, and it’s fitting an Indiana team won the gold medal. This group has overcome obstacles, shown resiliency and excelled at the highest level of competition. The experience will serve them well moving forward.”
STATEHOUSE (June 21, 2018) — State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) was recently selected to chair the Interim Study Committee on Public Policy.
STATEHOUSE (June 13, 2018) — The Indiana Department of Education on Tuesday awarded DeKalb High School for student AP exam success during the 2016-2017 school year, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2018) — Elise Witmer from DeKalb County was selected to receive the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (April 12, 2018) — Local businesses on Wednesday at the Statehouse received the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards for their contributions to the community, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
STATEHOUSE (April 10, 2018) — Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signed into law on Friday, April 6, 2018, legislation sponsored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) requiring doctors and pharmacists to check Indiana’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database before prescribing or dispensing an opioid or benzodiazepine.
STATEHOUSE (April 2, 2018) – State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) recently welcomed student pages to the Statehouse.
STATEHOUSE (March 8, 2018) — Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) requiring doctors and pharmacists to check Indiana’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database before prescribing or dispensing an opioid or benzodiazepine could soon become law.
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 28, 2018) — “Throughout this process, which included in-depth discussions during multiple meetings of our summer alcohol study committee, we made sure to build a consensus while working with all concerned individuals. We were mindful of striking a fair balance for all Hoosiers by removing the Sunday restriction, but setting a limited noon to 8 p.m. sales parameter.
“Partnering with Sen. Ron Alting to ensure the bill remained virtually free of amendments during the legislative process helped ensure its passage. I said earlier this year I’d try to tuck this football in tight and run it into the end zone. With today’s signing, we will now turn our attention to more pressing state issues.”
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 16, 2018) — A DeKalb High School graduate is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and his fellow members of the House of Representatives during the 2018 legislative session.
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 23, 2018) — The House of Representatives voted today in support of a proposal authored by State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) that would allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Indiana.
STATEHOUSE (Dec. 27, 2017) — Applications are open for students interested in participating in the 2018 Indiana House Page Program during the legislative session, according to State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn).
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