As I write this article, I am recovering from the annual pig inventory that is a necessary part of our business. An accurate count of the pigs is required, so we have to go through each room and count every pig in each pen. Of course, the pigs all stand still and let us count them as if it were the U.S. census. Not!
The industrial hemp bill, House Bill 1181, has run into a buzz saw in the Senate. The bill further explains the legalization of growing industrial hemp, as well as owning, possessing, processing and marketing hemp and its processed products. I heard some opposition in the Senate Agriculture Committee saying the bill will lead to legalization of medical marijuana. Here is the truth: passing industrial hemp legislation will not lead to medical marijuana. Besides many other uses, the oil derived from hemp is an effective treatment for juvenile epileptic seizures. Defeat of this bill will deny treatment and relief to countless families struggling with that disease.
One bill that has gained much attention is Senate Bill 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Some people have voiced concern that this bill would allow religion to be used as a reason to discriminate against others. This is far from true. RFRA simply institutes the same requirements of the Indiana Supreme Court that are already required of the Federal Supreme Court, that cases involving questions of religious freedom be given greater scrutiny, and that when possible, people be allowed to practice their religion without hindrance. Thirty other states, including Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, have similar forms of religious protection either in statute or judicial standard. This bill is not a license to discriminate, rather it protects the rights of everyone.
A subject I have written about recently but must repeat is this: rural Indiana is in dire need of road repair dollars. Area newspapers are running front page stories with pictures of the deplorable condition of our rural roads, bridges and state highways. It is accurately reported that the Motor Vehicle Highway funds are declining for all local governments. Materials for doing repairs are getting much more expensive. What can be done to provide more funding for local road maintenance? There are no good answers. Raise the gas tax? Require every county to have a wheel tax? Institute a surcharge on every vehicle registration? Everything that is proposed or suggested costs every citizen more money. It is not something a representative wants to vote on without feedback from constituents. Please give us some suggestions so we can make the decision that is best for our communities.
I am sponsoring a resolution to recognize the North Miami Girls’ Softball Team State Championship. It is easy to see the positive effects of a state championship, and I am very pleased to present it.
Finally, last week Speaker Brian Bosma presented a resolution to honor Bosma Industries. It is a sheltered workshop for visually impaired individuals. All the participants were outside my office and I met the president, Lew Moneymaker. After conversation, he told me he coached my brother-in-law, John Rusie, at the blind school on the wrestling team 45 years ago. I was fortunate to preside during the resolution, and during the introduction, I told the assembly that Mr. Moneymaker coached my brother-in-law. It was a pleasure to tell John Rusie that his name would be forever recorded in the Journal of the House; to say he was pleased would be an understatement.
Stay in touch. This is your government and it affects you every day.
More later,
Bill Friend
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Rep. Bill Friend represents portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties. He also serves as Speaker Pro Tempore.
