The state representative for Pulaski and part of Starke County has announced his retirement. Doug Gutwein says he won’t seek reelection in 2022. In a press release, Gutwein says serving House District 16 has been an honor and a privilege, and he’s retiring to spend more time with his family.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Pass Resolution Opposing House Bill 1381
Pulaski County has joined in the opposition against a bill that would shift control of wind and solar farm development to the state. The county commissioners passed a resolution Monday opposing House Bill 1381. Commissioner Chuck Mellon said the resolution expresses their “support for local control of land use decisions.”
Continue readingGovernor Monitoring Wind, Solar Legislation Moving through General Assembly
A bill that would shift control of wind and solar farm development from counties to the state continues to move forward in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1381 passed out of the House Wednesday by a vote of 58-to-38. It now goes to the Indiana Senate for further consideration.
Continue readingStarke County Meet the Candidates Event to Be Held Tonight
Starke County voters have a chance to hear from a number of the candidates on November’s ballot tonight. WKVI is teaming up with the Starke County Chamber of Commerce and the Starke County Leader for a Meet the Candidates night.
Continue readingBill to Help Fund Pulaski County Courthouse Renovations Heads to Governor
A bill that would give Pulaski County a funding option for the renovation of the courthouse and expansion of the Justice Center now heads to the governor for final approval. The Indiana Senate passed House Bill 1052 on third reading Tuesday by a vote of 41-to-nine.
Continue readingBill to Help Fund Pulaski County Courthouse Renovations Heads to Senate
A bill that would raise funds for the renovation of the Pulaski County Courthouse and the expansion of the Justice Center now heads to the Indiana Senate. The House of Representatives Thursday passed House Bill 1052 by a vote of 88 to four.
Continue readingBill to Study Elimination of License Plate Stickers Heads to Indiana Senate
License plate stickers may soon be a thing of the past, under a bill advanced Tuesday by the Indiana House of Representatives. The bill’s author, Representative Doug Gutwein, says the state spends over $6 million a year to make and send out the decals but only collected $450,000 last year in fines for expired plates.
Continue readingBill to Help Fund Pulaski County Courthouse Renovations Passes House Committee
A bill that would give Pulaski County a funding option for the renovation of the courthouse and expansion of the Justice Center now heads to the full Indiana House of Representatives. House Bill 1052 was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee last week.
Continue readingRep. Gutwein Introduces Bill to Help Fund Pulaski County Courthouse Renovations
Now that the Pulaski County Commissioners have recommended a path forward for courthouse renovations, discussions about how to fund it will begin in the county council and the Indiana General Assembly. State Representative Doug Gutwein has introduced legislation that would allow a special income tax that’s currently in place to pay for the Justice Center to be extended until 2036 to fund courthouse renovations.
Continue readingWinamac Memorial Bridge Lighting Efforts Gaining Momentum
Efforts to add decorative lighting to the Winamac Town Park’s Memorial Bridge are drawing community support. Project organizer Greg Henry told the Winamac Park Board Thursday that he’s already heard from people interested in donating. “It’s kind of a big project, much bigger than I anticipated at first,” Henry said. “But it’s going in the right direction.”
Continue readingCourthouse Renovation Funding Options Discussed with Pulaski County Commissioners
Pulaski County officials continue exploring their options, when it comes to paying for a potential courthouse renovation. Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told the county commissioners Monday that financial consultant Jeffrey Peters has put together a few funding scenarios.
Continue readingPulaski County Council, State Rep. Consider Courthouse Renovation Funding Options
Pulaski County’s state representative wants to get moving on securing financing for a possible courthouse renovation project. Three renovation options, ranging from just under $4.9 million up to almost $8.6 million were recently presented to the county council and commissioners.
Continue readingRep. Gutwein: Kankakee River Repairs Could Start this Summer
Uncontrolled flooding along the Kankakee River may soon be a thing of the past, according to State Representative Doug Gutwein. He’s the author of recently-passed House Bill 1270, which he says will fix the river.
Continue readingRep. Gutwein Confident That Pulaski County Courthouse Will Get Needed Upgrades
Pulaski County’s state representative is confident that the County Courthouse has a bright future. “It’s a historical building,” says Representative Doug Gutwein. “I mean, my goodness. We can’t just tear it down and build something new. We need to fix it. We need to take care of it.”
Continue readingLieutenant Governor, State Representative Visit BraunAbility
Helping people with disabilities get around is part of BraunAbility’s mission. But making sure they’re represented in the company’s workforce is proving to be a challenge. That’s what BraunAbility officials told Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and State Representative Doug Gutwein, when they visited the Winamac facility Monday.
Continue readingBill to Reduce Size of Kankakee River Basin Commission Advances to State Senate
A bill to restructure the Kankakee River Basin Commission is advancing in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1270 authored by State Representative Doug Gutwein of Francesville would cut the number of members from 24 down to nine.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considering Options, Following Income Tax Revenue Shortfalls
Pulaski County may be looking to state lawmakers to help make up a shortfall in local income tax revenues. The issue was brought to the attention of the county council last month, after Winamac officials noticed a sudden drop in the town’s share of Local Levy Freeze Income Tax funds. Pulaski County communities are now facing big holes in their 2018 budgets.
Pulaski Commissioners to Meet with State Representative
The Pulaski County Commissioners will meet with the county’s state representative tonight. Francesville Republican Doug Gutwein is scheduled to make an appearance during tonight’s commissioners meeting. Continue reading
State Lawmakers Looking to Bring Back Small School Grant
Several local school corporations would stand to benefit from a bill introduced last week in the Indiana House of Representatives. Francesville Republican Doug Gutwein has co-authored a bill that would reestablish a small school grant for 2017 through 2019. Continue reading
Representative Gutwein Busy in State Legislature
Our local lawmakers were busy in this year’s legislative session.
Republican State Representative Doug Gutwein of Francesville worked on House Enrolled Act 1325 which provides payment to first responders who are deployed to a statewide disaster. The State Disaster Relief Fund also provides funds to local fire departments to bring in backup firefighters to replace to those who were helping their fellow Hoosiers in their time of need.