We’ve entered the home stretch in the 2012 Legislative Session and we’ve had quite a run. The Indiana House plans to wrap up the state’s business by next Friday, March 9, and we’re working late nights to reach that goal. Although we’re making progress on many pressing issues this session, the women in the legislature made heart disease awareness a priority. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, with over 500,000 dying each year of cardiovascular illness. The Indiana House has partnered with Go Red for Women to help inform Hoosier women of their risk to heart disease. It’s not limited to an “old man’s disease” as so many believe. Our goal is for women to recognize their risk factors, visit their doctors, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Together, we can save the lives of ourselves or our wives, mothers, grandmothers, and sisters. Earlier in the session, I authored a bill to help senior women (and men) make long-term care and home care decisions. House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1211, which was signed into law by Gov. Daniels, will require hospitals and nursing care facilities to provide their senior patients with the contact information for the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). The AAA maintains up-to-date information on all of the locally available long-term healthcare options. By pairing individuals looking for care with the most knowledgeable agency, people will be able to make a better informed decision that’s right for them. HEA 1211 will go into effect July 1, 2012. Two other bills I authored passed both the House and the Senate, although there are differences between the versions passed by each chamber. A bipartisan conference committee of two representatives and two senators will meet next week to iron out differences and agree on a final version. House Bill (HB) 1003 would allow board members of state agencies to hold electronic meetings by phone or video conference. To maintain transparency and public accountability, boards would still have to comply with all Open Door Laws. At least two members or 1/3 of the board must be physically present for the meeting to take place. Every member of the board must attend at least one meeting per year in person. This legislation would increase efficiency and ease of communication among board members, ultimately benefiting the citizens of Indiana. To enable county assessors to operate more efficiently and cost effectively, HB 1190 would establish new procedures for property assessment. Currently, all properties in a county are assessed once every five years. During this time, the county assessor’s office often has to hire outside help to keep up with the workload. This legislation instead requires the assessors to divide the properties into four parcels, with at least 25 percent of each class of property in each parcel. Each year the assessor would determine the value of one quarter of the county’s properties, with every property being reassessed every four years. The assessor would have to submit their plan for dividing parcels to the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). This plan would save taxpayers money by allowing the assessors to do more work in-house without hiring outside help. I encourage you to share your thoughts with me on the issues we’re facing in southwest Indiana. Thank you for your interest in the democratic process as I serve as your voice in the General Assembly. -30- Rep. Crouch, Fighting heart disease in women and wrapping up the 2012 Legislative Session.doc |
