Ed Clere

PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Eric Holcomb (seated left) ceremonially signs into law legislation co-authored by State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) (standing left) to address several statewide health issues, including expanding telehealth access and curbing unnecessary regulations Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, at the Indiana Statehouse. The law establishes a 988-crisis hotline so more Hoosiers can connect to immediate help, and mobile crisis teams can be deployed quickly based on the needs of callers and will provide onsite community-based intervention, de-escalation services, stabilization and treatment. Joining Clere are State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) (seated right), State Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) (standing center) and State Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) (standing right).

Southern Indiana legislators said local communities were recently awarded more than $3.6 million in state matching grants to bolster road and bridge improvements.

State Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) (left, back row) and Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) (left of center at podium) welcome Indiana University Southeast nursing students to the Statehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. The state lawmakers discussed the 2020 legislative session with the students and Indiana’s implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing nurses to cross state lines to provide important medical services. Clere authored legislation to make Indiana effectively join the NLC starting in July.

State Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) pair sneakers with their suits to help kick off February as National Cancer Prevention Month on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at the Statehouse. The Indiana House of Representatives participated in the Suits and Sneakers Challenge, an annual event hosted by the American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches, to help raise awareness. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer risks can be lowered by avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and getting regular cancer screening tests.

Communities in Clark and Floyd counties received over $1.4 million in state matching grants to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown).

Area state lawmakers invite local college students and recent graduates to apply for the Indiana House Republican Internship Program, which takes place during the 2020 legislative session at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

STATEHOUSE (July 10, 2019) – Legislation aimed at protecting and growing Indiana’s honey bee population was recently signed into law by the governor.

STATEHOUSE (June 24, 2019) — Christian Academy of Indiana, Floyd Central High School and Our Lady of Providence High School were among 54 schools recently honored during the Indiana Advanced Placement recognition ceremony at the Statehouse, according to local legislators. The Indiana Department of Education and Indiana College Board celebrated the

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 6, 2019) — Local lawmakers introduced a resolution celebrating the 150th anniversaries of the Culbertson Mansion and the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites Corporation.   

STATEHOUSE (June 15, 2018) — The Indiana Department of Education recently awarded Floyd Central High School, Christian Academy of Indiana and Our Lady of Providence High School for student success on Advanced Placement exams for the 2016-2017 school year, according to State Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown).

STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2018) — Two Floyd County students planning to pursue a career in education were selected to receive the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown).

STATEHOUSE (April 4, 2018) — State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) recently welcomed student pages to the Statehouse.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 16, 2018) — A New Albany High School graduate is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and his fellow members of the House of Representatives during the 2018 legislative session.

BE MY VALENTINE: State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) meets with (left to right) Jean Kaiser, Diane Shauffer, Sandy Braunbeck, Jon Faith, Courtney Zang, Anna McCartin and David Sturgeon, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Kaiser, Shauffer, McCartin and Sturgeon are self-advocates with the organization. Rauch, Inc. partnered with The Arc of Indiana and Self-Advocates of Indiana for the 11th year to hand out Valentines to legislators and state officials with the message, “Have a Heart for The Arc.” This is a day for the group to visit with legislators, voice issues and opinions and share a message for Valentine’s Day.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 14, 2018) — State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) on Tuesday recognized the Indiana Economic Development Association on the 50th anniversary of its founding.   

STATEHOUSE (April 7, 2017) — State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), State Rep. Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) and State Sen. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) today honored locally owned family farms for being in operation for more than 100 years. The Sperzel and Collins-Taylor-Jacobi farms, located in Floyd County, were recognized at the Statehouse with

STATEHOUSE (March 13, 2017) — State Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), Karen Engleman (R-Georgetown) and Steve Stemler (D-Jeffersonville) today honored the 50th year of the Harvest Homecoming Festival with a House resolution. The resolution was sponsored in the Senate by State Sen. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville). The Harvest Homecoming Festival is one of

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 13, 2017) — State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and State Sen. Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) today offered a resolution honoring the New Albany boys basketball team for winning the 2016 IHSAA class 4A state title. Head Coach Jim Shannon and members of the championship and current teams joined Clere and Grooms, respectively, on the

STATEHOUSE — State Representative Ed Clere (R-New Albany), State Representative Steve Stemler (D-Jeffersonville) and State Senator Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) honored the Providence High School volleyball team for their victory in the 2014 Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) class 2A volleyball championship. “Winning a second,

Start Date: 5/30/2014 Start Time: 12:00 AMEnd Date: 5/30/2014STATEHOUSE – Today, State Representative Ed Clere (R-New Albany) served as the master of ceremonies at the 2014 Golden Hoosier Awards in Indianapolis, where a Georgetown resident was honored. The Golden Hoosier Award was established to recognize outstanding seniors for their lifetime of

Start Date: 1/21/2014 Start Time: 5:30 PMState Representative Ed Clere (R-New Albany) will hold informal “Coffee and Conversation” meetings from 9 to 11 a.m. every Saturday in February. When: February 1 Where: Coffee Crossing 4212 – Charlestown Road, New Albany When: February 8 Where: Hobknobb Roasting Company – 3700 Paoli

Start Date: 1/13/2014 Start Time: 12:00 AMEnd Date: 1/13/2014Several local legislators honored the 2013 state champion Providence volleyball team in a resolution on Monday, January 13th at the Statehouse. “The Providence volleyball team displayed tremendous perseverance and teamwork in its run to the state championship,” said State

Start Date: 6/27/2013 Start Time: 12:00 AMEnd Date: 6/27/2013 STATEHOUSE -- State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) is the state’s most pro-economy, pro-jobs legislator, according to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which earlier this week released its annual Legislative Vote Analysis. Clere scored 97 percent for the 2013 legislative session, which

Start Date: 4/29/2013 Start Time: 12:00 AMEnd Date: 4/29/2013 End Time: 11:59 PM STATEHOUSE — The 2013 legislative session has concluded. State Representative Ed Clere (R-New Albany) is pleased to see the success of two of his top priority bills this session: House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1005 and HEA 1312. HEA 1005 aims to reduce remedial needs of high

Start Date: 11/20/2012 Start Time: 12:00 AMEnd Date: 11/20/2012 End Time: 11:59 PM STATEHOUSE – Indiana Legislators were sworn in today, Organization Day, which marks the first meeting for the 118th General Assembly. Chief Justice Brent Dickson administered the oath of office to the Members, including 25 freshmen. “Just like a responsible

Start Date: 7/17/2012 Start Time: 12:00 AM End Date: 7/18/2012 End Time: 11:59 PM Ind. Chamber recognizes Rep. Clere for perfect “pro-jobs” record STATEHOUSE – The annual Legislative Vote Analysis completed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce ranked Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) as having the strongest pro-jobs and pro-economy

Start Date: 3/28/2012End Date: 3/28/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere: Economic incentives draw Amazon.com, over 1,000 jobs STATEHOUSE – Amazon.com, Inc. announced its plans to locate a new fulfillment center in Jeffersonville, Ind., creating up to 1,050 new jobs by 2015 and approximately $150 million in investment in the state. “We’ve made

Start Date: 3/15/2012End Date: 3/15/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere Supports Assistance for Low-Income Families STATEHOUSE – House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1141, co-authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), establishes the Mortgage Foreclosure Multistate Settlement Fund and designates money for a state home energy assistance program. Governor Daniels signed

Start Date: 3/6/2012End Date: 3/6/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere supports Court Appointed Special Advocates to combat child abuse STATEHOUSE — Rep. Clere (R-New Albany) met with local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers from Floyd and Washington counties Monday. Approximately 350 CASA volunteers from across the state held a rally at

Start Date: 3/5/2012End Date: 3/5/2012 Floyd County Helpful Resources for Disaster VictimsFollowing the tragic events over the weekend from the tornados in Southern Indiana, many Hoosiers are without food, water and shelter. My heart goes out to these families. Hoosiers from all over Indiana have already been incredibly gracious and helpful in the relief

Start Date: 3/1/2012End Date: 3/1/2012 Floyd County Floyd County schools display strong performance STATEHOUSE – Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) congratulates two Floyd County elementary schools being honored by the Indiana Department of Education today. S. Ellen Jones Elementary School and Georgetown Elementary School were recognized for being among

Start Date: 2/29/2012End Date: 2/29/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere memorializes Civil War veterans STATEHOUSE – House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1034, co-authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), was signed by Gov. Daniels on Wednesday. The historic cemeteries bill passed out of both chambers with bipartisan support. HEA 1034 will expand the qualifications

Start Date: 2/15/2012End Date: 2/15/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere honors Super Bowl Host Committee STATEHOUSE—Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) along with his colleagues in the Indiana House of Representatives took time today to honor members of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee and the City of Indianapolis for their efforts in hosting Super Bowl XLVI.

Start Date: 2/1/2012End Date: 2/1/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere: House passes Historic Preservation Tax Credit STATEHOUSE – House Bill (HB) 1111, authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), would substantially expand and improve Indiana’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit. The bill unanimously passed out of the House today and will now move to

Start Date: 1/31/2012End Date: 1/31/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere Reduces Abandoned Properties STATEHOUSE – House Bill (HB) 1238, co-authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), unanimously passed the House today. The bill seeks to expedite the foreclosure process for abandoned properties. “Vacant and abandoned houses are a big problem for

Start Date: 1/31/2012End Date: 1/31/2012 Floyd County Rep. Clere Supports Tax Exemption for Low-Income Families STATEHOUSE – House Bill 1141, co-authored by Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), would restore the sales tax exemption that expired in 2009 for home energy assistance. The bill unanimously passed out of the House today and will now move to the

Start Date: 11/22/2011End Date: 11/22/2011Rep. Clere: Hoosiers demand jobs and a stable economy STATEHOUSE — Members of the Indiana General Assembly, including State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany), returned to the Statehouse for Organization Day to hear the House Speaker deliver a speech setting the tone for the upcoming legislative session. This year,

Start Date: 9/26/2011 All DayEnd Date: 9/26/2011My column is going away, but I'm not By the time you read this, I should be in Washington, D.C. I'm chaperoning my son John's 8th-grade class trip this week. It's the only trip to Washington I have planned. A friend recently asked me what office I'm going to run for next. I wouldn't rule anything out, but I'm

Start Date: 9/12/2011 All DayEnd Date: 9/12/2011Bridges pose challenges now and later The closure of the Sherman Minton Bridge and related stories are likely to dominate the news for weeks to come. Meanwhile, other important issues will be squeezed out. Topics that receive scant attention even on a slow news day will get none at all. I've devoted all or

Start Date: 8/30/2011 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2011Stay updated and connected In my last column, I mentioned the Aug. 13 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair. Since then, two more victims have died, bringing the death toll to seven. In addition, dozens were injured, and several remain hospitalized. Numerous investigations and lawsuits will go on for some

Start Date: 8/16/2011 All DayEnd Date: 8/16/2011As summer fades, study process heats up Two weeks ago, I wrote about legislative summer study committees and the Indiana State Fair. One of the committees scheduled to meet was the State Fair Advisory Committee, which was slated to meet today to discuss strategic planning. If the meeting goes on, its focus

Start Date: 8/2/2011 All DayEnd Date: 8/2/2011Things are fairly busy in Indy If you're tired of the political demolition derby that has been playing out on television over the last several weeks, perhaps a real one would be a nice change of pace. The Indiana State Fair will end Aug. 21 with the Lucas Oil Demolition Derby and fireworks. In the meantime,

Start Date: 7/18/2011 All DayEnd Date: 7/18/2011Bean counting paying off for Indiana Indiana ended the recently completed budget cycle in better shape than expected, but money is still tight - for both the state and Hoosier families. With that in mind, the upcoming Indiana State Fair will offer many ways to stretch a dollar, but I'll get to that later.

Start Date: 7/15/2011 All DayEnd Date: 7/15/2011Rep. Clere recognized for pro-jobs voting record STATEHOUSE - The Indiana Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) annual Legislative Vote Analysis recognized Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) for demonstrating conspicuous leadership on specific business issues of critical importance because of his pro-jobs voting record and

Start Date: 7/1/2011 All DayEnd Date: 7/1/2011Planned Parenthood facts tell a different story The Fourth of July has passed, but the fireworks aren't over. Fireworks can be entertaining, but they can also be harmful, and such is the case with some of the political fireworks that keep going off. It's especially dangerous to set off fireworks in an enclosed

Start Date: 6/20/2011 All DayEnd Date: 6/20/2011Next Year's Session Starts Now School may be out for the summer, but it's time to start studying. Legislative study committees start meeting this week. Dozens of committees will consider topics relating to criminal law, economic development, education, the environment, health care, tax policy, transportation

Start Date: 5/23/2011 All DayEnd Date: 5/23/2011The continuing cost of freedom The recent death of Osama Bin Laden was a significant milestone in the war on terror, but the war isn't over. Last year, the week before Memorial Day, I published a list of 163 troops with ties to Indiana who had died in Operation Enduring Freedom, which is the war in

Start Date: 5/5/2011 All DayEnd Date: 5/5/2011STATEHOUSE--Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) walked away this session with a 100 percent voting attendance record, something only a few legislators attained. Out of 647 votes recorded this past legislation session; Rep. Clere was present and voted for each one. "I take very seriously my responsibilities as a state

Start Date: 4/29/2011 All DayEnd Date: 4/29/2011STATEHOUSE - The 2011 legislative session has been a session of historic challenges and historic accomplishments. Despite the many road bumps, House Republicans have delivered on the promises they made in 2010. State Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) along with other House Republican legislators presented the

Start Date: 4/29/2011 All DayEnd Date: 4/29/2011

Start Date: 4/29/2011 All DayEnd Date: 4/29/2011 "Designating the River Ridge Commerce Corridor area as an extra heavy-duty highway will increase economic growth in Southern Indiana, and it's an important tie-in to the Ohio River Bridge Project," said Rep. Clere. The corridor is meant to enhance economic growth in an area that is expected to experience

Start Date: 4/27/2011 All DayEnd Date: 4/27/2011Not every recent forecast has been stormy. On April 15, a bipartisan committee of state fiscal experts released an updated revenue forecast suggesting Indiana's financial outlook for the next two years is improving. Through the end of June 2013, Indiana is expected to take in $762 million more than the total

Start Date: 4/18/2011 All DayEnd Date: 4/18/2011In a rare joint announcement, House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) along with Senate President Pro Tempore David Long (R-Fort Wayne) and Governor Mitch Daniels announced their support for an additional $150 million investment in K-12 education emphasizing early learning opportunities for Hoosier

Start Date: 4/13/2011 All DayEnd Date: 4/13/2011The merger of the Tribune and Evening News has brought about many changes, and this column is no exception. You may have noticed its absence from last week's paper. Newspaper management has decided to cut back my column to publication every other week. I started writing weekly in January 2009 and wrote a

Start Date: 3/30/2011 All DayEnd Date: 3/30/2011As the House got back to business today, Reps. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) and Rhonda Rhoads (R-Corydon) were successful in passing House Bill 1132 and House Bill 1265-bills they both co-authored-out of the House chamber. Both bills passed unanimously out of the House. House Bill 1132 would allow Indiana wineries

Start Date: 3/30/2011 All DayEnd Date: 3/30/2011Rep. Ed Clere's (R-New Albany) legislation establishing the Floyd County park district passed out of the House today with a 61-32 vote. Many people have contacted me in support of establishing a park district because of their desire for a strong, stable parks system," said Rep. Clere. "This legislation will

Start Date: 3/23/2011 All DayEnd Date: 3/23/2011Words matter. Last week, I chided someone for using the word "tragedy" to describe the walkout by Indiana House Democrats, which entered its fifth week yesterday. The walkout is harmful to Hoosiers and damaging to democracy. It could even be called a travesty, but it's not a tragedy. The unfolding crisis in

Start Date: 3/16/2011 All DayEnd Date: 3/16/2011Last Friday, I participated in a town hall meeting at Floyds Knobs Elementary School. Several hundred people attended the meeting, which was organized by a parent group. I was on a panel with Republican state Sen. Ron Grooms of Jeffersonville, Republican state Rep. Rhonda Rhoads of Corydon and Indiana

Start Date: 3/7/2011 All DayEnd Date: 3/7/2011The walkout by Indiana House Democrats entered its third week yesterday as tensions continued to rise and misinformation proliferated. Only one Democrat, Rep. Steve Stemler of Jeffersonville, had never left. All but two of the other 39 House Democrats remained at a hotel in Urbana, Ill. Some news reports have

Start Date: 2/17/2011 All DayEnd Date: 2/17/2011 In many places, traditional public schools are performing well. In other places, there is a lot of room for improvement. A bill that would expand charter schools passed the House last week. There's a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation about charter schools, and, as with other issues, the level of

Start Date: 2/11/2011 All DayEnd Date: 2/11/2011 Outside of Indianapolis, which has merged city-county government, Floyd County's city-county parks department is unique. The district would be Indiana's first park district and could be a model for the future. Under the bill, the park district would be overseen by a nine-member commission. The members of the

Start Date: 2/7/2011 All DayEnd Date: 2/7/2011 When the legislature is in session, both the House and Senate meet Monday through Thursday most weeks, with floor sessions - which is when each chamber meets as a body - on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesdays are usually reserved for committee meetings. On rare occasion, such as the governor's State of

Start Date: 1/21/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/21/2011 In Ways and Means, we devoted the week to higher education, including presentations from the seven state colleges and universities. We were scheduled to hear a presentation yesterday on Gov. Mitch Daniels' proposed budget. State agencies will make their presentations this week and next. Other committees also

Start Date: 1/11/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/11/2011 . Rebuild Spaghetti Junction in the existing location instead of moving it south. . Reduce the East End bridge, roadway and tunnel from six lanes to four, with the option of adding two lanes later as traffic demand warrants. . Complete the Big Four Bridge pedestrian walkway and bike path as an alternative to

Start Date: 1/4/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/4/2011 It's a full day, starting with an early-morning drive to Indianapolis. Pages receive a tour of the Statehouse, including the governor's office, the lieutenant governor's office, the Supreme Court and the House and Senate chambers. Pages get to sit on the House or Senate floor during session, and they may be

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 The Budget Committee is composed of four legislators - one Democrat and one Republican from both the House of Representatives and the Senate - and the State Budget Agency director, who is appointed by the governor. The Budget Committee meets when the legislature is out of session to provide legislative

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 Here is a summary of their agenda: Identify and reward great teachers and principals: Give local leaders flexibility to promote excellence. . School leaders must have the autonomy to make the improvements necessary to bolster student achievement and should be held responsible for the performance of their

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 Speaker Bosma announced a new committee, the Select Committee on Government Reduction, which will work over the next two years to identify and prioritize opportunities to reduce government regulation in Indiana. Bosma observed that in 1976, the year he graduated from high school, the Indiana Code was five and a

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 The projected increases are primarily the result of rising individual income tax withholdings, which may be a sign that Hoosiers are working more hours and earning more income, despite the persistence of a high unemployment rate. The expectation of modest increases in sales tax revenue is another positive

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 . Get a better education: K-12 education reform will be a top priority this session. Key initiatives will focus on rewarding teachers for performance, directing a greater percentage of education spending to the classroom and expanding educational options for Hoosier families. . Quit smoking: A statewide smoking

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011www.in.gov/legislative/2441.htm. Click on the link for the House Ways and Means Committee. Here's the schedule: Today . 1-1:30 p.m. Department of Workforce Development . 1:30-2:15 p.m. Bureau of Motor Vehicles . 2:15-2:45 p.m. Professional Licensing Agency . 3-3:45 p.m. Indiana Department of Transportation .

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 It's a full day, starting with an early-morning drive to Indianapolis. Pages receive a tour of the Statehouse, including the governor's office, the lieutenant governor's office, the Supreme Court and the House and Senate chambers. Pages get to sit on the House or Senate floor during session, and they may be

Start Date: 1/3/2011 All DayEnd Date: 1/3/2011 A week from today is Organization Day, the official kickoff of the legislative session. It's largely ceremonial, with the swearing in of newly elected legislators, official election of the heads of the House and Senate and various housekeeping matters. The session will start in early January and must conclude

Start Date: 9/14/2010 All DayEnd Date: 9/14/2010 Topics of the bills in the NFIB report included: . Age discrimination . Notice of business closure or mass layoffs . Asbestos . Nutritional information at food establishments . Improper classification of employees . Property tax caps . Unemployment contribution rates Building small businesses and

Start Date: 9/1/2010 All DayEnd Date: 9/1/2010The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. - Thomas Jefferson I

Start Date: 8/31/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/31/2010Six weeks ago, I wrote about interim study committees - also called summer study committees. Summer may be waning, but the committee schedule is not. The calendar for the next six weeks is full, and legislation will result from many of the more than two dozen meetings. Two weeks after the November election,

Start Date: 8/31/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/31/2010Indiana is leading the way in many areas, and it is always good to see our state rising in the ranks. On one list, however, I am pleased to report our position is dropping. For most of the last decade, the home foreclosure rate in Indiana was first or second in the nation. As of the first quarter of this year,

Start Date: 8/31/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/31/2010In case you haven't heard (and who hasn't?) there's an election in November, and it's shaping up to be a big one. In the meantime, there's still plenty of legislative work to do, and we can't afford to put progress on hold because of politics. One of the downsides of two-year terms - I'm in the second year of

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010When I called the Walmart in New Albany to confirm the availability of discount tickets to the Indiana State Fair, the employee with whom I spoke seemed a bit surprised. I got the impression the phone wasn't exactly ringing off the hook with people looking for fair tickets. The fair, which is held in

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010Whenever there's big news, I always want to know what happens later, after the television cameras are long gone and the story disappears from the headlines. Coverage of the Aug. 4 flooding in Southern Indiana receded and then dried up completely after several months. And now, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010As I was preparing to write this column, I was reminded of the wisdom of two chairmen. The first was former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who cautioned against "irrational exuberance." I'm going to share news about Indiana's improving revenue situation, and, until I thought of the former chairman's

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority may not be a household name, but households and communities throughout the state benefit from its work. Under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and Executive Director Sherry Seiwert, IHCDA leverages hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010A Clere view of the Statehouse:Many issues end in agreement Last week, I focused on one important provision in a bill that didn't get much press. To recap, House Enrolled Act 1086 will affect every Hoosier, yet it received little media attention. It was overshadowed by more controversial legislation. One of

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010The United States is at war. It's too easy to forget. We're able to go about our daily lives thanks to men and women who volunteer to defend our freedom. On my way to a meeting in Indianapolis last week, I walked by the Indiana OEF-OIF Memorial Wall in the Indiana Government Center South, next to the

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010This is the second in a series of three columns on K-12 education. Last week, I wrote about the history and status of school funding. Some readers may have been surprised to learn that public schools still receive the lion's share of local property tax revenue; in Floyd County, it's 57 percent. K-12 schools

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010School's almost out, but the legislature is just now getting ready to start its next round of studies. In the meantime, the weeks have been flying by - filled with nonstop activity. Last week was as good as Mom and apple pie - literally.The week started with Mother's Day and ended with apple pie at a church

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller may not have his cousin Fuzzy's golf game, but he's second to none when it comes to settling the score in favor of Hoosiers.Elected in 2008, the New Albany native serves as the attorney for the state of Indiana. The attorney general represents the state in cases involving

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010A Clere view of the Statehouse: Stay and play - or get away "Restart Your Engines." It's Indiana's tourism slogan, and it's good, timely advice. Visit Indiana Week starts Friday, and the state's official tourism website promises to reveal big savings on travel. Go to visitindiana.com to sign up. Tourism is big

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010The Indiana General Assembly isn't scheduled to meet again until Organization Day in November, and the next regular session won't start until January. In the meantime, many topics that are likely to be the subject of legislation next year will be studied over the next two or three months, and you will have a

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010School is out for the summer, but that doesn't mean there should be a break in the conversation about education. In fact, now - far away from the pressure and politics of a legislative session - is a good time to continue talking about challenges and opportunities in K-12 education. This is the first of three

Start Date: 8/30/2010 All DayEnd Date: 8/30/2010Tuesday's column was the conclusion of a three-part series on K-12 education. Two weeks ago, I reviewed the history and status of funding. Last week, I looked at how the money is distributed. Education funding is complex. Thank you for wading through it with me. I'll wrap up with some suggestions for moving

Start Date: 8/30/2010 Start Time: 12:00 AMEnd Date: 8/30/2010 End Time: 11:59 PM STATEHOUSE— State Representative Eric Koch (R-Bedford) will be speaking to the 2010-2011 Leadership Lawrence County Class. The event will take place on: Wednesday, September 1, 2010 5:00 p.m. Otis Park Bath House Otis Park 607 Tunnelton Rd. Bedford, Indiana Rep.

Start Date: 4/27/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/27/2010This is a tale of two cities. But first, a little introduction. As usual, controversial topics dominated news coverage of this year's legislative session. Controversy sells. Sound bites don't come from accord. House Enrolled Act 1086 is a good example of the sort of important legislation that doesn't get much

Start Date: 4/27/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/27/2010Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) walked away this session with a 100 percent voting attendance record, something very few legislators attained. Out of 270 votes recorded this past legislation session; Rep. Clere was present and voted for each one. "Serving the people of House District 72 is something I take very

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010Despite early predictions of a shorter-than-usual session, the Indiana legislature almost ran out the clock. Sunday was the legal deadline for adjournment, and there's nothing like a hard deadline to drive compromise on difficult issues. Disagreement over a bill to delay an increase in unemployment insurance

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010The topics of conversation were as diverse as the crowd at a second informal forum on education. It's an important and timely subject. With the legislature likely to adjourn by the end of next week, we have precious little time left to take action to prevent teacher layoffs and larger class sizes. Education is

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010A little madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King, But God be with the Clown - Who ponders this tremendous scene - This whole Experiment of Green - As if it were his own! An analysis suggests Emily Dickinson may have been envisioning Indiana's current revenue situation: "The tone of this poem is

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010Taxes are due next week, but it's not too early to start celebrating. Huh? What, you're probably wondering, do we possibly have to celebrate about tax time? Well, not tax time itself, but Tax Freedom Day. Today is Tax Freedom Day in Indiana, and national Tax Freedom Day is Friday. I don't think Hallmark has a

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010Last week, I witnessed President Barack Obama, throngs of thousands and fireworks. And it had nothing to do with health care. I also saw Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and every other chief executive - all the way back to George Washington. They all were on stage together in the Hall of Presidents at

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010New Albany's proposed sewage rate increase initially would be cut in half if the city takes advantage of a revised proposal that will be presented at a special Sewer Board meeting Thursday, Feb. 18. State Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany, said he worked with the Indiana Finance Authority to develop the new

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010 Rep. Clere said he worked on the transfer agreement for almost a year with Indiana Department of Transportation officials and Mayor Doug England. The agreement also includes up to $500,000 in state matching funds that will allow the city to qualify for an additional $2 million in federal money to fund

Start Date: 4/26/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/26/2010Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany) honored Vicky Zuverink, a national chairman of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), during session on Monday.After becoming very involved with genealogy, Zuverink became a member of the organization while researching her own ancestry. She has been a

Start Date: 4/19/2010 All DayEnd Date: 4/19/2010The conversation on education went on last Saturday, but important stakeholders were told to stay away. Six people attended the first of two informal forums on education. Three were teachers, each from a different Christian school. One was my wife, another was a friend and the third I was pleased to meet for

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Start Date: 3/17/2009 All DayEnd Date: 3/17/2009As a freshman legislator, I feel fortunate to be a member of the House Education Committee. It is difficult to argue that one policy area is more important than any other, but if you were to hold a spitball shooter to my head, I would have to pick education. Good education policy pays dividends forever. Bad

Start Date: 3/10/2009 All DayEnd Date: 3/10/2009As if this legislative session wasn't scary enough already, we started the second half amid the specter of zombies and vampires. I'll explain later. Feb. 25 was the deadline for bills to pass out of the chamber where they originated. Bills passed by the House of Representatives are now in the Senate, and

Start Date: 3/6/2009 All DayEnd Date: 3/6/2009 This proposal guts the taxpayer protections enacted in 2008, and will have a negative impact on property taxpayers throughout Indiana. The House Democrat support for this measure in House HB 1730 would create an exception to voter participation and approval in these projects that you could drive a truck

Start Date: 3/5/2009 All DayEnd Date: 3/5/2009 It worries me in many ways. First, it spends much more than the state is likely to bring in. Second, it removes taxpayer protection on state spending. Third, it runs the risk of increasing property taxes by allowing some areas to circumvent the property tax caps. This budget puts Hoosiers' checkbooks, the

Start Date: 3/3/2009 All DayEnd Date: 3/3/2009STATEHOUSE, March 3, 2009 - If the legislative session were a marathon, then last week would have been the halfway point. In the Greek legend on which the marathon is based, the runner collapses and dies upon completing his mission. After three consecutive, lengthy days and nights in session, some members of the

Start Date: 2/24/2009 All DayEnd Date: 2/24/2009STATEHOUSE, Feb. 24, 2009 - Warning: This column will leave some readers fuming. Last Thursday, I voted for a statewide smoking ban. The bill passed the House of Representatives 70-26 and now goes to the Senate for its consideration. If it passes the Senate and the governor signs it, the bill will become law.

Start Date: 2/20/2009 All DayEnd Date: 2/20/2009Nothing about This Budget Deserved a 'Yes' Vote I could not support a budget that takes more money out of Hoosiers' pockets than it should STATEHOUSE - The budget passed by the Democrat majority in the Indiana House of Representatives on Friday is not only a disappointment, it is a disaster. That is why I

Start Date: 2/17/2009 All DayEnd Date: 2/17/2009STATEHOUSE, Feb. 17, 2009 - In the interest of wrapping up discussion of my survey results, I'm going to jump right in. There were 11 questions on the survey, and I devoted my last two columns to the first five questions. Those columns are available on the Tribune's Web site. Seventy-two percent of those who

Start Date: 2/10/2009 All DayEnd Date: 2/10/2009STATEHOUSE, Feb. 10, 2009 - The results are in. Last month, I mailed a newsletter to all registered voters in my district. It included a survey with 11 questions on a variety of issues. Thank you to each of you who took the time to respond. The results are based on 1,073 responses. Surveys continue to trickle

Start Date: 2/3/2009 All DayEnd Date: 2/3/2009STATEHOUSE, Feb. 3, 2009 - Did they forget? Last Thursday, the Indiana House of Representatives had an opportunity to give voters a chance to make property tax caps part of the state constitution. We didn't get to vote on the caps, and it looks increasingly likely that neither will our fellow Hoosiers. A

Start Date: 1/30/2009 All DayEnd Date: 1/30/2009STATEHOUSE - A Democrat procedural maneuver today kept Hoosier voters from being assured the opportunity to vote on adding permanent property tax caps to the Indiana Constitution. Hoosier taxpayers deserve better treatment, said Rep. Ed Clere (R-New Albany). "Regardless of how they may feel about the property