When making decisions at the Statehouse, I always consider the needs of our community first. Several years ago, it was brought to my attention that children from our area and across the state struggle in school due to a learning disability called dyslexia. At the time, I was not particularly familiar with the disorder, and conversations I had with fellow Hoosiers led me to pursue legislation to address some of the challenges these students face.

STATEHOUSE (April 9, 2019) – With support from the Indiana Senate and the House of Representatives, State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation that would make the U.S. citizenship test a part of high school government classes could soon become law.  

STATEHOUSE (April 8, 2019) – State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed local student pages to the Statehouse.

Who is the commander in chief of the Military?

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

 Did you know the answers to these questions? If you did not know that the president of the United States is the commander in chief of the military or that the Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, then you might have difficulty passing the U.S. citizenship test. 

Child hunger continues to be an issue that many families face. Research shows that 1 in 5 children across the state will experience limited or uncertain access to food. Young Hoosiers should not have to worry about where their next meal will come from. 

STATEHOUSE (March 11, 2019) — State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and John Young (R-Franklin) will host a public meeting on March 16, to discuss the progress of the legislative session.

RAISING AWARENESS: State Reps. John Young (R-Franklin) (left) and Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) (right) pair sneakers with their suits to draw attention to National Cancer Prevention Month Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Each year, the Indiana House of Representatives participates in the Suits and Sneakers challenge, an annual event hosted by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. According to the American Cancer Society, the death rate from cancer has dropped 19 percent in Indiana over the last 25 years. Local lawmakers encourage Hoosiers to take preventative steps like receiving regular cancer screenings to continue lowering this rate.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 21, 2019) – The House of Representatives voted in supported of State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation protecting property owners from being held accountable for their tenants’ unpaid utility bills.  

Misinformation is a common problem in the modern era. Thanks to the internet and social media, it is easy for information about a variety of issues, including legislation, to be shared quickly and become distorted or inaccurate. It is like a game of telephone. A message can change many times before reaching you. The easiest way to ensure you have correct information is getting it from the original source.

Typically, after a person signs a lease to rent a house or an apartment, they become responsible for paying the utility bills. However, some communities pass ordinances making the property owner responsible for these payments. While many landlords can adjust rent prices to cover these added costs, sometimes a utility bill could be unexpectedly high, forcing the landlord to eat the cost or charge their tenants more.

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 30, 2019) – The House of Representatives on Monday supported State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) bill providing a 13th check for public employee pensions. 

At the start of the new year, lawmakers returned to the Statehouse to begin working on critical issues impacting Hoosiers. I’m excited about many of the topics being discussed, but my top priority continues to be helping children in the foster care system. We should be doing everything in our power to protect children in foster homes and take every step to limit potential trauma during this transition.

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 19, 2018) – State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and John Young (R-Franklin) encourage students who want to learn more about state government to participate in the Indiana House Page Program during the 2019 legislative session.

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 10, 2018) – State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and John Yong (R-Franklin) were recently appointed to several House standing committees.

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 20, 2018) – State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and John Young (R-Franklin) joined fellow legislators at the Statehouse on Tuesday for the Indiana General Assembly’s Organization Day.

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 2, 2018) – Indiana House Republicans are now accepting internship applications for the 2019 legislative session, which begins in January.

In the coming weeks, many students and educators will be heading back to the classroom for a new school year. While this is an exciting time, some may have questions about the steps being taken to ensure the safety of our children and those who dedicate their lives to educating our future leaders. School safety continues to be a top priority for state lawmakers as we build on our policies and offer a variety of resources to better ensure our children learn and grow in a safe environment.

STATEHOUSE (June 12, 2018) — The Indiana Department of Education on Tuesday awarded Whiteland Community High School for student success on AP exams for the 2016-2017 school year, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

STATEHOUSE (June 5, 2018) — Indiana fire departments will soon be able to offer free vehicle emissions tests to Hoosier drivers thanks to a new law sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2018) — Students in Johnson County planning to pursue a career in education were selected to receive the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, according to local lawmakers.

STATEHOUSE (April 24, 2018) — Students with dyslexia will soon have access to more resources thanks to legislation sponsored by State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis).

STATEHOUSE (April 4, 2018) — Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signed State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation into law Tuesday increasing transparency for prospective adoptive and foster parents.

STATEHOUSE (March 23, 2018) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed student pages to the Statehouse.

STATEHOUSE (March 16, 2018) — State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and John Young (R-Franklin) will host a town hall meeting on March 24 to discuss the 2018 legislative session.

STATEHOUSE (March 12, 2018) — State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation giving adoptive parents a clear path to voice concerns or ask questions during the adoption process was recently signed into law by the governor.

We are nearing the final weeks of the 2018 legislative session. Several bills have already been approved by both the House of Representatives and Senate and are on their way to be signed into law, while other bills are still being debated and finalized. This is an exciting time because these potential new laws will positively impact the lives of Hoosiers throughout the entire state.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 28, 2018) — The House of Representatives supported legislation sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) on Tuesday that would provide additional resources for students with dyslexia.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 21, 2018) — The House of Representatives supported legislation sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) on Tuesday that would allow Hoosiers to voluntarily request free emissions tests on their vehicle from their local fire department.

Ideas for legislation come from a variety of sources. Sometimes, a lawmaker learns of an issue and works to find a solution, while other times communities reach out needing help from the General Assembly to provide support to accomplish different goals. Many of the best and most impactful laws are the ones inspired by Hoosiers.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 16, 2018) — Hannah Joy Alte of Greenwood is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and his fellow members of the House of Representatives during the 2018 legislative session.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 14, 2018) — The House Committee on Roads and Transportation advanced legislation sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) on Wednesday that would allow Hoosiers to voluntarily request free emissions tests on their vehicle.

The 2018 legislative session is in full swing, and we just reached the halfway point of this short session.  Bills that have been supported by the House can now be heard by the Senate, and the House will consider Senate bills. House Republicans have made great progress with our top priorities, including increasing K-12 funding, strengthening Indiana’s workforce, attacking the opioid epidemic and increasing government efficiency.

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 31, 2018) — The House of Representatives supported State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation on Tuesday that would increase accountability and transparency during adoption proceedings.

As your state representative, it has always been my priority to keep you informed about what is happening at the Statehouse and to listen to what you believe needs to be done for our community. One way I do this is by hosting town halls throughout the year. I recently held two town hall meetings to hear from you and share my legislative priorities. Thank you to all the people who attended. We were able to discuss the current legislative session and address top issues.

In Indiana, there are nearly twice as many children in the foster care system than there are available foster homes. In 2017, more than 23,000 Hoosier children were in need of a foster home. Almost 60 percent of all kids that enter the child welfare system are under 6 years old, and many leave home with only the clothes on their backs or what can fit into a trash bag.

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 4, 2018) — Local lawmakers are encouraging students to participate in the Indiana House Page Program during the 2018 legislative session.

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 27, 2017)—State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) will host two town hall meetings next week to share information about the 2018 legislative session.

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 20, 2017) – State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) is hosting a listening forum to hear local Hoosiers’ experiences with Indiana’s foster care system and adoption process.

Over the last few months, I have watched some NFL players kneel during the national anthem with great interest. Issues like this always stimulate extreme controversy. These protests do nothing more than divide our country, and I believe there are more appropriate ways to express unease with our country’s current political climate. I believe football players cross the line when they choose to kneel for the national anthem.

It’s hard to believe that fall is already in full swing. Before we know it, we’ll be ringing in the New Year, and I’ll be back at the Statehouse working on legislation on behalf of our community. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be looking into potential bills I can introduce to the General Assembly for consideration. As I begin this process, I want to hear your ideas.

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 19, 2017) – Applications to intern with the Indiana House Republicans during the 2018 legislative session are due Oct. 31, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

One of the unique things about Indiana’s state government is that we have a part-time legislature. This means we only meet and vote on legislation for about three to four months at the start of each year. The rest of the year is spent back home with our families and constituents, focusing on local issues and oftentimes pursuing a career outside our elected position. I have been selling homes with my wife, Volly, for nearly 40 years. Being a citizen legislator allows me to bring a unique set of skills and perspective to the Statehouse while I represent our community.

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 21, 2017) — Local communities will receive state matching grants to improve roads and bridges, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 18, 2017) – Hoosier job seekers now have access to new resources to find better-paying jobs thanks to the recently launched Next Level Jobs initiative, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

This past legislative session, the General Assembly worked hard to create and implement a long-term, data-driven road plan that provides much needed funding to fix and maintain our transportation infrastructure over the next 20 years. As the Crossroads of America, our economy is impacted by the condition of our roads and bridges, so it was important that we invested wisely without incurring new debt that would place a financial burden on future generations. 

Indiana is facing a drug abuse crisis. Nearly 10 percent of Hoosiers suffer from some form of substance abuse. To help curb illegal drug use and to get Hoosiers the help they need, I supported efforts to further expand treatment options in our community. 

STATEHOUSE (July 13, 2017) — “This is a significant investment in our local infrastructure that will keep our community and state moving forward. Over the next five years, Johnson County will receive nearly $180 million in road funding for specific projects ranging from adding turn lanes to conducting bridge maintenance. With this investment, we will be able to improve our roads and bridges to keep motorists safe and help ensure Indiana remains the Crossroads of America.” 

STATEHOUSE (July 6, 2017) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) was recently named to three summer study committees, which examine assigned topics, gather testimonies and recommend potential legislation.

School is finally out for the summer, and many local seniors are celebrating the final chapter of high school. Congratulations to the students who have completed their high school careers. Your hard work has finally paid off, and our community is incredibly proud of your accomplishments. While you’ve put in a great deal of hard work and dedication, I know you had a tremendous support system in your teachers and schools. One of my main priorities as a state lawmaker is to help provide students, educators and schools the resources and tools necessary to be successful. During the recently completed legislative session, I supported a two-year, balanced state budget and a variety of new laws that strengthen Indiana’s commitment to education.

STATEHOUSE (June 15, 2017) — Center Grove High School and Whiteland Community High School were among 73 schools honored during Wednesday’s Indiana AP Recognition Ceremony at the Statehouse, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

Now that the 2017 legislative session has concluded, there’s a lot to reflect on. The General Assembly considered a variety of issues and ultimately sent Gov. Eric Holcomb 251 pieces of legislation to potentially sign into law. One of the biggest bills this session was the state’s long-term road funding plan. 

STATEHOUSE (May 17, 2017) — Local students planning to pursue a career in education are among the recipients of this year’s Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

STATEHOUSE (May 8, 2017) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently attended a legislative task force summit in North Carolina, where he collaborated with other state lawmakers on policies concerning commerce and economic development.    

STATEHOUSE (April 26, 2017) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed student pages to the Statehouse.

STATEHOUSE (April 12, 2017) — State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation to allow the use of plastic-coated ammunition by police and military personnel in Indiana could soon become law.

STATEHOUSE (April 5, 2017) – State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) honored the Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats boys basketball team in the House Chamber on Tuesday for their state tournament win.

STATEHOUSE (April 4, 2017) — Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) to align Indiana colleges and universities with the state’s sanctuary cities law passed the House Tuesday.

STATEHOUSE (March 8, 2017) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) was recently selected to serve as the public sector co-chair for the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Task Force on Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development.

STATEHOUSE (March 3, 2017) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed the following student pages to the Statehouse:

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 20, 2017) — Legislation co-authored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) to provide a 13th check for public employee pensions passed out of the Indiana House of Representatives Monday with a vote of 96-0.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 6, 2017) — Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb and State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) honored Indianapolis Colts player Adam Vinatieri today in the House Chamber. 

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 5, 2017)—State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and State Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus) will host two town hall meetings next week to share information about the 2017 legislative session.

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 27, 2016) — Applications are now open for students interested in participating in the Indiana House Page Program, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 16, 2016) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) was recently reappointed to serve as chair of the House Committee on Financial Institutions. 

STATEHOUSE (Dec. 13, 2016) — The deadline to apply for the Next Generation Teacher Scholarship, paying $7,500 per year for students pursuing a career in education, is Dec. 31, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland). 

STATEHOUSE (Nov. 22, 2016) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) joined fellow legislators at the Statehouse today for the Indiana General Assembly’s Organization Day. 

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 13, 2016) —  State Auditor Suzanne Crouch presented a Sagamore of the Wabash to Theresa L. Matthews today for her work treating victims of alcoholism and drug addiction, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).     

State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) (center) with Franklin Mayor Joe McGuinness (left) and Greenwood Mayor Mark Meyers (right) accept INDOT’s Community Crossings grants on Thursday, Sept. 1, at the Franklin City Community Center. As a part of the grant program, the city of Franklin received $1 million and the city of Greenwood received $957,996 for road and bridge projects. This year, Burton supported legislation establishing the state’s Community Crossings matching grant fund, which will provide about $160 million to Indiana cities, towns and counties on a 50/50 matching basis.  

To learn more about Community Crossings, click here. 

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 24, 2016) — Johnson County and eight local communities received more than $3.9 million in state matching grants this week to improve roads and bridges, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

STATEHOUSE (June 14, 2016)— “I was saddened to learn of the senseless act of violence that took place over the weekend in Florida. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this time of mourning and healing,” Burton said.  

Over the past several months, gender identity and the use of school bathrooms and locker rooms has been a hot topic across the country. As these conversations have been happening, I have heard many people voice their opinions on this subject—particularly within House District 58. It is important that we listen to all sides of the discussion as we move forward. 

STATEHOUSE (May 16, 2016) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) earned a perfect score on the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Vote Analysis for his support of pro-economy, pro-jobs legislation. 

STATEHOUSE (April 8, 2016) – State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) sheds light on child abuse in Indiana during Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

STATEHOUSE (March 18, 2016) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed the following student pages to the Statehouse: 

• Enrico Amadore, from Franklin, attends Whiteland Community High School;
• Joshua Clemens, from Greenwood, attends Lutheran High School;
• Milica Djuricic, from Franklin, attends Franklin Community High School;
• Ashleigh Powell, from Fishers, attends Fishers High School;
• Garatt Stafford, from Nineveh, attends Southside Christian Homeschool Academy;
• Virinia Stafford, from Nineveh, attends Southside Christian Homeschool Academy; and
• Lauren Teike, from Greenwood, attends Center Grove High School. 

Last week, the Indiana General Assembly adjourned Sine Die. This means we have completed all of our business for the session. It was a quick session with many issues addressed. I am always impressed with all the work we are able to accomplish in just 10 weeks. This year, we were able to find solutions to issues surrounding the 2015 ISTEP scores, address the future of ISTEP, create a plan that meets Indiana’s immediate road funding needs and take serious steps to curb illegal drug use in our state. 

STATEHOUSE (March 4, 2016) – This week, the House of Representatives took final action on four bills authored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland), which are now eligible for consideration by the governor.   

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 29, 2016) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed the following student pages to the Statehouse:

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 9, 2016) – State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) presented a resolution on the House floor today to raise awareness for dyslexia by recognizing the Scottish Rite Cathedral, which conducts the free-of-charge Children’s Dyslexia Center of Indianapolis and Decoding Dyslexia.

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 8, 2016) — State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) recently welcomed the following student pages to the Statehouse:

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 1, 2016) – The Indiana House of Representatives passed legislation with a vote of 92-0, that would provide more transparency for residents of homeowners associations.

This past week I held several town hall meetings where we had great discussions on legislation and topics likely to come before the House of Representatives this session. When hosting these meetings, I strive to have open and honest discussions to make you aware of the issues. Communication with my district is vital to my job as a state representative. During our discussions, education, roads and infrastructure funding and civil rights topics were all brought up. I listened thoughtfully to all opinions and concerns, and I will consider them carefully. 

Dear Friend,

A pair of bills responding to the 2015 ISTEP problems were signed into law this week. 

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 13, 2016)—State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) will host a series of town hall meetings throughout January. 

Dear friend,

Duke Energy is warning Hoosiers to be on high alert after a recent bill payment scam in Indiana has resurfaced. 

The scam is operating in the following way:

Dear friend,

Indiana's jobs climate continues to attract the national spotlight.

In fact, Forbes just listed Indiana as the eighth best state in the nation for business. The magazine compared states' business costs, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. Indiana was also ranked second for its regulatory environment and sixth for quality of life. 

Dear Friend, 

Recently, graduate students from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis joined me at the Statehouse to learn more about my work as a state representative. I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss state issues with them, as I always encourage students to engage in the legislative process. 

Recently, the Interim Study Committee on Pensions Management Oversight, on which I serve as vice chairperson, met to receive updates on the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) and the Indiana State Police Pension Trust (SPPT). I was pleased to learn that both pension funds are funded adequately and continue to protect the assets of the families they represent across the state. 

As you may know, the Indiana General Assembly operates as a citizen legislature, meaning we only meet at the Statehouse for a few months. The rest of the year is spent back home, in district. The most rewarding part of being a state representative is helping those in my community directly. Often times, a person contacts me or my office when they feel they have limited options or do not know where else to turn. I am always willing to help find a solution and make sure your needs are heard and addressed. 

I am pleased to share that House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1108 was ceremonially signed into law yesterday by the governor. This legislation will provide aspiring educators the skills they need to recognize dyslexia and other reading disorders in their students. Once identified, teachers will be able to teach their students more effectively according to their needs. 

STATEHOUSE — Legislation authored by State Representative Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and sponsored by Senator Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) to provide resources for teachers to identify students with dyslexia was ceremonially signed into law by the governor. 

STATEHOUSE — House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1108, authored by State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland), was signed into law by Governor Mike Pence. HEA 1108 requires that aspiring teachers be instructed in how to recognize dyslexia and other reading disorders in their students. This will allow them to teach their students more effectively according to their needs.