STATEHOUSE —Members of the Indiana General Assembly, including State Representative Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo), returned to the Statehouse for Organization Day to hear the House Speaker deliver a speech setting the tone for the upcoming legislative session. This year, Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis) addressed job creation during the Organization Day ceremony. Indiana currently has a stubborn unemployment rate hovering around nine percent. “This should be a productive session for the state of Indiana and I am ready to get to work for District 30,” said Rep. Karickhoff. “There are several key issues that need to be addressed, many of which will improve the lives of Hoosiers throughout our state.” The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature, meeting on a two-year cycle — three months in even-numbered years and four months in odd-numbered years. Short sessions, such as the upcoming one, are relatively new for the legislature. Until 1969, Indiana legislators only met once every other year. In 1970, the legislature decided to allow short sessions to deal with important issues facing the state. The upcoming 2012 legislative session will begin on Jan. 4 and according to state statutes must conclude by March 14. The public is encouraged to watch the legislative process online, a Republican-created transparency initiative, to view both the House Chamber and committee proceedings at www.in.gov/legislative . You can click on “Watch the General Assembly Session,” on the right side of the screen. For questions or comments regarding this session, Rep. Karickhoff can be reached by email at h30@IN.gov, by phone at 1-800-382-9841 or by mail at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. |
