General Assembly Completes Productive Session

Indiana Statehouse

The General Assembly, which began with a month-long battle over right to work, ended with a flurry as legislators passed a smoking ban, abolished the inheritance tax and set aside more money for full day kindergarten and state fair stage collapse victims.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Long, of Ft. Wayne, boasts legislators again held the line on spending with taxpayers scheduled to receive a $40-$50 rebate as a result.

Governor Mitch Daniels issued a statement thanking legislators for an extraordinarily productive session.

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Starke County Democrats Sworn into Office

Eight Starke County Democrats who were successful in the fall election were sworn into office on Sunday. Swearing in the office holders was 17th District State Democrat Representative Nancy Dembowski.

Sworn in were: Knox Mayor Rick Chambers, Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, incumbent Knox City Councilmen Linda Berndt, Greg Matt, and Jeff Berg, plus newly elected councilman Donald Kring.

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State Legislators to Help Author a Bill to Help Pay for Starke County Jail

Starke County Jail

Financing possibilities and informing the public have been topics the Starke County Jail Committee has been working on recently. The committee has discussed holding informational meetings throughout the county to bring the public up to date on various options for rehabbing or building a new jail.

Fires, escapes, and a class action lawsuit have brought attention to the liabilities at the jail. Reportedly the second oldest county jail in the state, the facility has been overcrowded at times throughout the past year.

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