(STATEHOUSE) Jan. 7, 2009 - Rep. Jacque Clements (R-Frankfort), along with her House colleagues, opened the 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly today at the Statehouse. Rep. Clements starts the session with a number of goals that aim to control government spending and maintain high-quality services to Hoosier families. "The 2009 legislative session will be a challenging year for all state legislatures," said Rep. Clements. "House Republicans have really established a plan to help all Hoosiers families, which includes developing a balanced budget, reforming education and creating more jobs." Rep. Clements joins with her House Republican colleagues in support of Hoosier Families First, their caucus agenda outlined in a recent press conference. Their aims are short and simple: - Taxpayer protection. No tax increases. No gimmicks. Just a lean, common-sense-based budget that keeps state government operating efficiently. -Job Creation: Focus on the Future. Indiana has been a leader in the Midwest at attracting new jobs, and we will continue to aggressively seek high-paying, quality jobs for our citizens. No new general business taxes and no new burdensome regulations. - Education reform: Competing in the 21st Century: The Hoosier State has bright students, solid, innovative teachers and concerned parents, and House Republicans believe they all deserve support. This includes getting more education money directly to classrooms, protecting parental choice and charter schools, rewarding highly-qualified educators and giving teachers the power to appropriately discipline their classrooms. Supporting strong education is foundational to invigorating our economic development efforts. During the session, Rep. Clements will sit as a member on two House legislative committees - Agriculture and Rural Development, Courts and Criminal Code and Roads and Transportation. 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. As the session moves forward, the public can keep track of the legislative process by watching House and committee proceedings at www.in.gov/legislative/ and clicking on "Watch the General Assembly Session." Rep. Clements encourages local constituents to contact her with questions or concerns through e-mail at h38@in.gov, or by calling the Statehouse at 1-800-382-9841. It is also possible to write her at 200 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. -30- |
