The Easter holiday is a wonderful reminder of many important parts of life and faith, but also that springtime is just around the corner. A few flowers, greening grass and buds on trees have all presented themselves in the last few days. Most of us are pleased and welcome the change of scenery. There is at least one more typical spring appearance: lightning.
When I arrived home last Thursday evening about 7 p.m., none of the TVs would work, several light switches did not work and the furnace was out. The garage door openers did not work either. An isolated lightning strike directly on our old farmhouse had taken out all of our electronic appliances. Plus, the strike blew out two basement windows and put landscape mulch up on the second story roof. Everything is repairable and replaceable, no one was hurt and there was no fire, which is a blessing. Buddy acted a little skittish when we got home. I am sure he was scared by the commotion of the strike.
So, on the Final Four weekend, we had no TV or computer and could not watch the games; but life continued. Ann and I have been reintroduced to the Eagles and the hits from 1965-1995, and we are just fine. No TV, Fox News or sports; just family, Easter prep and each other. What a country, even without technology.
This session has been called the education session, and I am proud of that. The House recently passed Senate Bill (SB) 500 unanimously which focuses on education deregulation. This legislation reduces regulatory burdens, allowing schools to focus more time and resources on the classroom. I often hear from school officials that far too much of their time is spent on completing reports and worrying about compliance. Sadly, this diverts resources away from the classroom.
SB 500 repeals obsolete, duplicative and burdensome regulations. Examples of such regulations include requiring schools to report their absence policies and requiring schools to follow certain procedures regarding the distribution of obsolete textbooks and curriculum material.
The legislation also creates the School Data Reporting Committee. This committee will work to reduce or eliminate unnecessary reports, consolidate forms and create a data clearinghouse to share with other agencies. The 10-member committee will consist of various education stakeholders.
SB 500 is the product of over a year and a half of work by school districts across the state. These districts helped identify and provide input on the areas of education law and procedures that are unnecessary or burdensome. The Indiana School Board Association and Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents also provided input. I am pleased to see this bipartisan collaboration done in the interest of providing Hoosier children with a high-quality education.
I have heard much discussion lately about Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), so I want to discuss it briefly. To address the misperceptions surrounding RFRA, we passed Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 50 to clarify RFRA’s intent and application. The protections in RFRA and our State Constitution remain intact. SEA 50 simply removes any notion that RFRA can be used for discrimination. Despite the urge to join the herd mentality, we must maintain compassion and understanding and find common ground. Indiana is a great state that does not discriminate in policy or practice. Our strength is demonstrated by our unity. Let us not forget that.
Again this session, I must report of an untimely death in our community. A neighbor, cousin and friend, Curtis Mills, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 7. Curt was a well-respected, life-long farmer in northern Miami County. He will be missed!
Stay 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.
