This past Saturday, I attended a Third House meeting in Fulton at the new community building. The Fulton County Chamber and Farm Bureau sponsored the event, which drew about 60 people. Fulton County always has excellent attendance at these meetings. I want to congratulate those citizens for coming out early on a foggy Saturday morning to listen to and interact with their elected officials. Most questions focused on property taxes on farmland, electricity service territories, annexation and recreational trail policy. I appreciate the interest of my district in the issues of our state.
The House Agriculture Committee met recently to hear Senate Bill 249 in which Chairman Lehe estimated the meeting would last about 10 minutes. One and one-half hours later, we voted the bill out of committee and sent it to the full House. The substance of the bill deals with a study of the impact of livestock industry in all 92 counties. Purdue Extension and the Purdue College of Agriculture will conduct the study and report to the Legislative Council and the Land Resources Council.
Many are unaware of a recently formed committee that focuses on military bases here in Indiana. In 2014, the General Assembly established the Military Base Planning Council, which is a standing interim study committee. The committee is made up of members of the Indiana House and Senate who have a military base in their district, as well as the lieutenant governor, the adjutant general and various other members of Indiana leadership.
Because Grissom Air Reserve Base is located in Miami County, I sat on this committee during the 2014 interim. The goal of the committee is to discern what infrastructure and support is necessary for Indiana military bases to improve and expand. These bases are very important to Indiana’s economy; Grissom Air Reserve Base is the second largest employer in Miami County. As a committee, we want to make sure that Indiana is doing everything possible to make the state a place that supports military bases and helps them do their job effectively.
Every motorist is now aware of the emerging pothole season. Highway workers have struggled with snow and ice all winter and with no relief. It should remind all of us that funding for highway maintenance must remain a priority for the Legislature. It is simply good stewardship to maintain our existing infrastructure. After all, we are the Crossroads of America!
Most legislators are still receiving comments on Daylight Saving Time. I can appreciate both sides of the time argument because we live in the center of the state. The east side of Indiana wants to affiliate with the east coast. The broadcasters, bankers and transporters have closer ties to the east. The west side of the state prefers the central time zone and has closer ties to Chicago. After listening to the arguments for years, we realize that this is a 50/50 issue and the Legislature needs to review and discuss this topic more in-depth before moving forward.
March Madness is here and all the basketball fans are working on their tournament brackets. I wish you all well as you calculate and prognosticate over your choices. Do not neglect your family or vocation as you toil over the picks. May the best team win!
Finally, our community suffered another tragic loss this past week. Karla Hattery Meyer lost her brave battle with cancer, leaving her husband, Ron, and two school-age children. It is always difficult, but when a young mother is taken, it rocks the community and family. The funeral home estimated 2,000 people were there for the visitation, and the funeral was large as well. My best wishes to the families and may God bless them.
Stay updated on your state government. It affects you every day in many ways.
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.
