Town hall discussions and session updates
During the legislative session, Saturday meetings in the district are called Third House Sessions. The meetings are usually sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce, and the public is invited and encouraged to participate. Area legislators speak and then field questions and concerns from the audience. This past Saturday, I attended a Third House in Fulton County at the Akron Community Center. The attendance was excellent! Over 60 citizens were in the audience and very much engaged. State Reps. Doug Gutwein (R-Francesville), Tim Harman (R-Bremen) and myself, along with Sen. Randall Head (R-Logansport), complimented Fulton County for participating in their state government. It is heartwarming for elected officials to have the public attend and appreciate the work done by the Indiana General Assembly.
Constituent questions focused on the need of funding and the various legislative proposals to augment local road funding. We also discussed tackling the methamphetamine and heroin problems plaguing rural Indiana. Sen. Head authored Senate Bill 80 that would give more latitude to pharmacists to question customers about their Sudafed use and to steer them to a medicine that has a “meth proof” or tamper resistant coating. Pseudoephedrine is a key component in some medicines, like Sudafed. It is still Sudafed, but the coating prevents them from using the product to make meth. This concept is working in other states and should be considered here in Indiana.
Another issue that arose were the problems with the current ISTEP testing program. Comments focused on student experiences taking the test: stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of failure. There was agreement that study of the issue is necessary. This past year has been a transition to new, more rigorous standards. Already, two pieces of fast-tracked legislation decoupling ISTEP scores from teacher evaluations and schools’ A-F grades were signed into law last week by the governor.
Last week, the House Committee on Agricultural and Rural Development heard a bill to regulate the sale of processed chickens. Farm raised and processed birds can be sold for personal use, but statute currently prohibits the sale of the farm-processed birds to a restaurant for the sale to customers. It is a health issue because farm processors are not inspected, and the restaurant risks serving contaminated product to its customers. All it would take is one case of serious illness from contaminated chicken served at an establishment to cause major problems and liability. In the most recent committee, we heard and discussed this bill.
I attended the calling for Mr. Steve Hartzler of Fulton County. The waiting time in line was over two hours, an indication of the respect his friends and neighbors held for him. Steve had served as a County Commissioner and was a great supporter of the community. His advice and influence will be missed.
District 23 has two new city administrations, and I look forward to initiating conversations with the new mayors. In Peru, Gabe Greer is establishing a new administration, and in Logansport, Dave Kitchell begins as the new mayor. I wish them well and anticipate future conversations.
Please continue to e-mail me at h23@iga.in.gov or call me at 317-232-9981 and attend Third House Sessions. It’s your government!
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.
