Another week has come and gone in the Indiana State legislature. Now that the Speaker has announced session will be ending a week early, I’m more than pleased to tell you that we’ve been working diligently to really get legislation moving along. We’ve had many committee meetings – in the House and Senate – which can be a legislator’s nightmare at times, but I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished. I specifically have been able to get four of my bills moving this week. They all were passed out of their assigned Senate committees and should be scheduled for a floor debate in the Senate next week. Included in this legislation was House Bill (HB) 1238 to allow foreclosure and abandonment action to occur simultaneously to reduce the amount of time that abandoned properties are left untouched in our communities. This is an issue I’ve previously spoken about and find very important because vacant properties have the potential to decrease the property values of surrounding homes and neighborhoods, in addition to attracting unwanted mischiefs to the area. If communities can get these properties back on the market sooner – which this bill would help facilitate – it would enhance the surrounding area. Also, HB 1092 would allow a fourth judge in Johnson County Superior Court. This has been a huge concern for Johnson County, so I am pleased that it is making headway this year. If enacted, an additional judge would alleviate some of the work load for current judges, which would improve the efficiency of the court system. On a statewide level, I authored legislation to provide a one-time 13th check to certain retired public employees – including teachers and state police officers – from their respective retirement accounts. This legislation would assist those individuals who devoted their lives to public service cope with cost of living inflation and unforeseen financial stress. I believe it is important we do what we can for these deserving individuals, as well as recognize others who are currently working to better our local communities. In addition to moving along legislation this week, the General Assembly also came together to honor members of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee who served as the city’s ambassadors for Super Bowl XLVI. These individuals – along with more than 8,000 volunteers – managed a multitude of events enjoyed by more than 1.1 million people who visited Super Bowl Village. During the most watched event in television history, these individuals made Indianapolis and its surrounding areas shine in an intense spotlight. Beyond that historic week, they also conducted philanthropic work that our communities will benefit from in years to come. This community involvement included partnerships with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at IU Simon Cancer Center to develop Indy's Super Cure, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc. and the John H. Boner Community Center to plant 2,876 trees in the community and the Near Eastside Legacy Project to revitalize this declining community. I applaud these folks for all that they did leading up to the Super Bowl, as well as the work they continue to do for our capitol city and its surrounding communities. Throughout a busy week of business, it is important to take time to recognize individuals working on behalf of the State of Indiana – outside of the legislature. |
