Helping Hoosiers in our communities
The Statehouse is extremely busy right now. With standing committees done meeting, both Representatives and Senators are meeting in conference committees seeking the best results. Once both chambers agree on the final product, bills will then be eligible for consideration by the governor to be signed into law.
A piece of legislation that stands out to me is Senate Bill 308. This legislation would provide immediate property tax relief to farmers by freezing the farmland assessment base rate at $2,050 per acre. This bill would also cap the annual increase at 1 percent to eliminate sharp year-to-year tax increases on agricultural land. Local governments would be allowed to impose a local income tax, not to exceed 0.1 percent, that will go toward their local Public Safety Emergency Assistance Answering Point (PSAP), which is part of the statewide 911 system. Increasing funding for PSAPs will improve 911 coverage, particularly in rural areas, and allow our police, fire and ambulance services to react quickly to Hoosiers in distress.
House Republicans are taking other steps to ensure communities are safe, including bills addressing Indiana’s current drug epidemic. It is wreaking havoc within our communities, creating problems for law enforcement, straining our criminal justice system and endangering far too many children. Legislation was proposed that would require the newly established Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse to identify ways for state agencies and local programs to coordinate and create a comprehensive plan to address substance abuse. Their plan would address these problems on the local and regional level through treatment, prevention and law enforcement measures. This bill has gained approval from both the House and Senate and can now be sent to the governor for consideration.
We have also been working on legislation to help Hoosiers with disabilities. Senate Bill 11 would establish a process for people with disabilities in Indiana to open savings accounts where they can save a substantial amount of money without jeopardizing their eligibility for government assistance programs. In 2013, the federal government enacted the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, allowing for tax-free savings accounts to assist individuals and families in paying for disability needs. Indiana is now working to pass its own ABLE statute – establishing a state program. An ABLE account may fund a variety of essential expenses for these individuals including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing and transportation. It provides individuals facing disabilities with college savings accounts, health savings accounts and individual retirement accounts.
Recently, the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters from around the state visited the Statehouse and served as pages for the legislature. We honored them with a resolution. The FFA teaches skills that build good character such as: leadership, judgment, public speaking and parliamentary procedure. I congratulate the FFA on their program that guides and directs our young people in a very positive way, teaching and preparing them to be civic-minded future leaders in our communities.
With this being a leap year, we have gained an extra day that we only get every four years. I hope you enjoyed your extra day for 2016.
March is now upon us, and it is always an eventful month: basketball, the Ides of March, St. Patrick's Day, the first day of Spring and Easter. It's a busy time including the adjournment of the General Assembly. As we close on the 2016 session, major issues are still being debated. It is important to keep up-to-date on legislation coming before both chambers. For more information, visit www.iga.in.gov. Also, don’t hesitate to contact me with opinions and concerns on legislation at h23@iga.in.gov or (317) 232-9981.
More later,
WCF
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Rep. Bill Friend represents portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties.
He also serves as Speaker Pro Tempore.
