Winter continues on for all of us. This past Saturday, the wind and snow were just brutal; almost no visibility and drifting snow. Our flat fields and no trees allow the wind to play havoc with roads and driveways. Our proud, tough folks will dig out and live to fight another day!
On Valentine’s Day, I was honored to present the check from Miller’s Merry Manor to Miami County Helping Hands for the funds collected for the 40th annual King and Queen contest. This year was an exceptional one. The contest raised over $3,200 for Helping Hands. This charity is a local organization that provides food, fuel, electricity and transportation for residents of Miami County who demonstrate need. I am very proud of this organization and the services they provide. A contribution of this size from a Miller’s contest is exceptional, and I congratulate the company for this effort.
Last Thursday was a busy day at the Statehouse. The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee met at 8:30 a.m. and discussed a bill on urban farming (gardens, chickens and all). The bill passed out and is being considered by the full House. After committee, I had the opportunity to preside over the House session. Next we caucused followed by a brief time with the Miami County Farm Bureau committee, followed by an introduction to the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and brief meeting. My schedule then was to speak to the Agribusiness Council, a young group of agriculture leaders from all over Indiana, for 15 minutes. The session restart was at 1:30 p.m. and I was called to preside and adjourn at the end of the day’s schedule.
There has been much discussion about the ISTEP+ test. Teachers are coming to the Statehouse to voice their concern about its length and the stress it places on the students and teachers. My colleagues and I have listened to the comments and have responded. The test and its expanded length have been examined and discussed by many officials. The contract for this test was signed by and agreed to by State Superintendent Glenda Ritz. The Legislature had no control over the contract; the superintendent took that action from within her office. Teachers also told us to stop bullying Superintendent Ritz. The truth is this: teachers cannot have it both ways. If they want us to shorten the test, the Legislature cannot agree with the superintendent. Reports say there are ways to shorten the length of this important test. I am confident we can find a way to help our students have a much less stressful testing experience.
The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee is working to provide a marketing report service for sale barns, hay and straw sales. Adjacent states are reporting, but Indiana is not. Animals and commodities are being sold in Indiana without a reporting process and then sold in surrounding states at higher prices because there is no good comparison. There is a need for Indiana to post a reported actual price on commodity sales. I support this service and will work to have it enacted.
There are many residents of Miami County who would like to have the discussion about a full county library and have its cost imposed on the county property tax. I believe that library services are needed and necessary for all residents. The Peru Library has more county than city cardholders and this is an indicator that the support is out there. Please, let’s have the discussion involving all citizens and determine if we can support a full county library. The current arrangement using County Option Income Tax funds is not working, so let’s have a full blown discussion, county wide, about a library system here in Miami County.
Keep in touch.
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.
