Rail Safety Week Aug. 25-31

 
 
This week is Rail Safety Week, as declared by Governor Mike Pence.

Indiana Operation Lifesaver, Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation, local law enforcement and railroad companies have partnered to raise awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossings and transportation laws.

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Pence Aide With Role In Grade Scandal Leaving State Government

  
 

Gov. Mike Pence’s chief lobbyist is leaving the administration. Heather Neal also served as chief of staff to former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett and played a significant role in the changing of grades for a charter school funded by a prominent Republican donor. Copies of emails obtained by the Associated Press indicate Bennett and Neal frantically intervened late last year on behalf of the Cristel House Academy to boost the school’s grade from a C to an A. “The Journal Gazette” reports Neal is joining Limestone Strategies as president of its public affairs practice. The company is based in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. Bennett lost his reelection bid to Glenda Ritz last November and was hired as state education commissioner in Florida. He resigned from that job after news of the grading scandal broke.

Governor Directs Flags Be Flown at Half-Staff At State Facilities

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence

Governor Mike Pence is directing flags at state facilities statewide be flown at half-staff Saturday, July 27 in honor of Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Atlantic Flag and Pole offers wide range of state flags, click to see their products.

Governor Pence also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have defended our nation and our freedom.

The holiday was established in July 1998, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the treaty that ended the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 through 1953. Then-president Bill Clinton proclaimed July 27 a national day of recognition to commemorate the more than 37,000 U.S. service personnel who lost their lives during the war.

Governor, Office of Management and Budget Launch Website to Cut Red Tape

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
If you’ve got a suggestion to cut through Indiana’s regulatory red tape for businesses, state officials want to hear it. The Office of Management and Budget has launched a new website, “Cut Red Tape.” The site, www.in.gov/cutredtape, allows Hoosiers to submit suggestions of existing regulations that could be simplified or eliminated in order to streamline rules for businesses in Indiana. There are over 11,000 pages of state regulations on the books today.

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State Creates New Office in Effort to Serve Entrepreneurs, Small Business

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
In an effort to realign state efforts to better serve entrepreneurs and small business owners, Governor Mike Pence and Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann on Thursday announced the establishment of the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, signing Executive Order 13-17 to establish the agency.

The office will house two centers and a number of specialty programs. The Small Business Development Center and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center will work to provide integrated resources and consulting services to businesses in Indiana that have fewer than 500 employees.

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State Legislators May Override Pence’s Veto of CAGIT Bill

State Senator Ed Charbonneau
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

State Senator Ed Charbonneau visited Pulaski County this week to speak to the county commissioners and council during a joint session held Monday night regarding a revenue bill vetoed by Governor Mike Pence that could affect the county’s CAGIT moneys. State Representative Doug Gutwein previously explained to the boards that a clerical error at the state level could force the county to pay taxpayers back millions of dollars that had been collected by the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax – money that had originally been collected to cover the cost of the jail – because the state claims that the county overcharged its taxpayers. The county still owes roughly $5 million on the jail facility.

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Law Tightened Regarding Synthetic Drugs

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The law is once again being tightened regarding dangerous synthetic drugs, this time closing a critical loophole in the state’s previous ban by illegalizing the possession of or dealing in “look-alike” synthetic drugs. State Senator Jim Merritt’s legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 536, was signed into law this month by Governor Mike Pence and Merritt said he is glad to see the legislation passed as it was one of his top priorities this session.

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Gov. Pence Signs Bill to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The issue of over-prescription and abuse of controlled substances is being addressed by state senators and was signed into law this month by Governor Mike Pence. A bill introduced by State Senator Ron Grooms to crack down on the issue provides the Indiana Medical Licensing Board with the authority to regulate who can own and operate pain clinics prescribing controlled substances like hydrocodone and oxycodone.

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Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff Today

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring federal, state and local officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. To recognize the holiday, Governor Mike Pence has directed that flags at state facilities be flown at half-staff today to honor those who sacrificed the most for out nation.

President Obama signed a proclamation ordering flags nationwide to be flown at half-staff today. The flags should remain at half-staff until sunrise tomorrow.

Pence has also asked businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff, in addition to state facilities, to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement across the state and the United States.

Governor Signs Dermody Graduation Bill, Other Education Legislation

  
 
A bill sponsored by Representative Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, aimed at helping students finish college on time is now law. It was one of several education bills signed recently by Governor Mike Pence. The new law provides incentives for students to stay on track towards graduating with a bachelor’s degree in four years or an associate degree in two years. Students who graduate from high school with an academic honors diploma will earn increased higher education awards. Additionally, public colleges and universities are now required to commit to on-time degree pathways for each student and to bear the costs of any additional credits needed to complete the degree if the student follows the map and maintains a satisfactory GPA.

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Pence Set to Sign “Senior Consumer Protection Act”

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence

Governor Mike Pence is set to sign a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting some of Indiana’s most vulnerable residents. The Senior Consumer Protection Bill was prompted by a spike in the exploitation of senior citizens, which rose by 80 percent from 2001 through 2011 according to the Indiana Division of Aging. Senator Tim Lanae hopes the measure will encourage seniors, friends and family members to seek advice from an expert.

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Pence Vetoes Pulaski County Tax Collection Bill

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Pulaski County will not be able to retroactively collect local option income taxes. Governor Mike Pence has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the county to collect local option taxes after the legal authority to do had expired. Pence said in a statement, “If Hoosiers owe taxes, they should pay them. But when Hoosiers pay taxes that are not owed, they deserve relief, and this legislation does not meet that standard.”

He adds that retroactive approval of the taxes collected is not the proper remedy for Hoosiers. Pence says he looks forward to working with the General Assembly during the next session to resolve the matter. Meanwhile, he has directed the Office of Management and Budget to develop options for refunding or crediting the revenues in question.

May Proclaimed Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month

 
 

The month of May has been proclaimed Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month in the state of Indiana by Governor Mike Pence, who is partnering with ABATE in urging motorists to check twice in looking for the motorcyclists with whom they share the road.

Studies show that in two-thirds of multiple-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcyclists’ right-of-way, causing the collision. Multiple-vehicle crashes account for approximately 75 percent of all motorcycle accidents, and in light of that, the governor and ABATE are urging cooperation between all road users for successful traffic management and roadway safety.

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Governor Signs Bill to Expand Veteran-Owned Small Business Opportunities

Governor Pence joins Senators Mike Delph (R) and Jim Buck (R), Representative Jim Baird (R) and representatives from veterans advocacy groups to sign SEA 564, which expands veteran owned small business opportunities in Indiana.
Governor Pence joins Senators Mike Delph (R) and Jim Buck (R), Representative Jim Baird (R) and representatives from veterans advocacy groups to sign SEA 564, which expands veteran owned small business opportunities in Indiana.

A bill that expands veteran-owned small business opportunities in Indiana was signed by Governor Mike Pence Thursday.

Senate Enrolled Act 564 requires the Department of Administration to procure at least three percent of state contracts with veteran-owned small businesses. It also requires the Department of Administration to adopt rules, develop policies and set forth guidelines regarding contracting opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses. A report of state contracts with Hoosier veteran-owned small businesses must be filed annually.

This is Pence’s third Roadmap bill signed into law this legislative session. Governor Pence’s Roadmap outlines his vision to continue Indiana on a pathway to success through fiscal responsibility, economic development and educational opportunity for every Hoosier child.

Distinguished Hoosier Award Given to Winamac Legend

Rep. Gutwein (far left) along with Governor Mike Pence and Melody Braun holding the Distinguished Hoosier Award.
Rep. Gutwein (far left) along with Governor Mike Pence and Melody Braun holding the Distinguished Hoosier Award.

Melody Braun was at the Indiana Statehouse recently to accept an award in her late husband’s honor.

Governor Mike Pence recently honored Ralph Braun with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Representative Doug Gutwein attended the award ceremony and stated that there was no way to fully show appreciation for all that Ralph Braun accomplished, but hoped this could show how appreciative Indiana is for the major contributions he made to the state.

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Governor, Legislators and Medical Experts Don’t Agree on Obamacare

 
 
Governor Mike Pence is against expanding Medicaid to help cover some 400 thousand uninsured Hoosiers. He’s banking on federal government approval of the expansion of the already-existing Healthy Indiana Plan. Representative Ed Clere, chair of the Public Health Committee, amended Senate Bill 551 to require the Pence Administration to negotiate with the feds – not just leave it as an option.

Clere says some worry the federal government will back out of paying.

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Synthetic Substance Bill Moves to Governor’s Desk

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Final legislative approval was given this week to a bill that would improve Indiana’s laws against synthetic drugs.

The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Ron Alting, would make it illegal to possess or deal look-alike synthetic drugs. Current state law only prohibits substances identified as synthetic drugs based on their chemical makeup.

Senate Bill 536 would also clarify the definition of “intoxication” to allow law enforcement officers to arrest and prosecute individuals driving under the influence of synthetic drugs.

Senate Bill 536 now moves to Gov. Mike Pence’s desk to be signed into law.

Governor Pence Urged to Veto Utility “Tracker” Bill

Indiana Governor Mike Pence
Indiana Governor Mike Pence
The Citizens Action Coalition is urging Gov. Mike Pence to veto Senate Bill 560 when it hits his desk, claiming the bill would allow natural gas companies to raise rates without thorough regulatory scrutiny. Kerwin Olson, executive director of the coalition, said that under the bill, natural gas companies would avoid the scrutiny of a full-blown rate case by using what they call a “tracker,” which would allow the utility companies to add to bills more frequently in order to pay for infrastructure improvements.

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