Working on improving Indiana
This session of the General Assembly is moving along at a rapid pace. Committees are hearing bills and discussing topics. There have been 430 House bills filed and 400 Senate bills filed.
This past week, my staff and I met with Ms. Candace Meyer and Ms. Angie Murphy to learn about a program, Minds in Motion. It is an educational program that helps young students understand the cause of some disabilities they may face in the classroom, and also creates solutions to help students perform everyday tasks in school. The tools of this low-cost program are simple and the exercises only require a small amount of time each day. The program is based on the coordination of the eyes and ears through stimulation of the inner ear and cranial nerves. As of now, some of the children are making remarkable progress and if this was statewide, I know Minds in Motion could help all students.
Ms. Meyer is the creator of this program. She was an elementary teacher for many years and became fascinated with theories that help children become more focused and therefore more successful in their school subjects and classroom behavior. Ms. Murphy is a believer in the system because it worked so well to help her daughter. I am very interested in the program and hope to facilitate more informative meetings with members of the House Committee on Education. If this program can help more students, then we should give it our full consideration.
In addition to learning about Minds in Motion, I spoke to House members in honoring a southern Indiana program that provides soldier dogs for veterans in need of treatment and companionship. I spoke in favor of the program because, for many years, I have observed the bonding that occurs between soldiers, police officers and their service dogs at Vohne Liche Kennels near Denver, Ind. It is obvious that the special bond between a dog and its handler can be very therapeutic. I congratulate the organizers of the program.
Comments are starting to come in regarding the need for a highway funding program and I appreciate everyone’s input. Most comments are adamant that Indiana needs to raise the funds for roads. The question is how we raise those funds. Some proposals raise gas and cigarette taxes, while others borrow and bond into the future while spending down the reserves. These discussions will continue and my goal is to help find the fairest and most effective solution for our fellow Hoosiers.
Some have asked about our three-legged golden retriever, Buddy. He is doing very well, just showing that the years are starting to add up. Buddy is a loveable dog.
Please continue to write or email me at h23@iga.in.gov or call 317-232-9981. Good government requires our participation if it is to be effective.
Thanks for your support!
More later,
WCF
