2011 General Assembly Required to End April 29th

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Yesterday Ed Hasnerl talked with State Senator Ed Charbonneau to inquire about the deadline for ending the 2011 Indiana General Assembly.

“We’re required to end the session this Friday, April 29th,” said Senator Charbonneau. “Things are ratcheting up and there will a lot done between now and midnight Friday. The big issue is the budget. The other issue that still needs to be voted on are the redistricting maps. That seems to be moving very close to finalization.”

Later in the week, Senator Charbonneau will talk in detail about the boundary lines of his newly re-drawn district in which he will represent voters in only a portion of Starke County but all of Pulaski County.

Senator Charbonneau: Democrats Return to the Statehouse Could Poison Atmosphere

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Is this the week the minority Democrat House members come back to the Statehouse? At last report, the Democrats were still holding out in Urbana, Illinois waiting for concessions to demands on education and labor bills. The Democrats have not been in the Statehouse since February 21st.

Fifth District State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) said when the Democrats finally come back, he’s fearful the atmosphere will be so poisoned that congenial give-and-take will be impossible.

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State Senator Ed Charbonneu Discusses Issues to be Faced in the Second Half of Legislative Session

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Fifth District State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) make mote of the completion of the first half of the legislative session Wednesday.

We asked Charbonneau what issues they hope to face in the second half.

“Senate lawmakers are tackling tough issues this session,” he explained. “We’ll continue working hard in the weeks and months ahead as we focus on passing a fiscally sound budget for the State and a fair redistricting plan, as well as other important issues that Hoosiers are passionate about. One of those issues might include debating a state-wide smoking ban.”

Senator Charbonneau Discusses Important Issues Being Debated during this Legislative Session

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

More than the Governor Mitch Daniels’ agenda was at stake in last November’s election. Republicans are now in the majority of both the House and Senate, and now stand to be in control of creating House, Senate, and congressional maps. Those maps will influence the outcome of elections for the next 10 years.

“The House is going to redraw their Districts and the Senate is going to draw their Districts,” explained Fifth District State Senator, Ed Charbonneau. “They are going to get together and approve them and gently draw the Congressional Districts.”

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Legislation Establishing Interstate Mutual Aid Agreements Passes Senate

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Senate lawmakers voted 48-0 Tuesday in support of a bill co-authored by State Senator Ed Charbonneau allowing Indiana to call upon and assist emergency response teams in neighboring states.

For example, response teams may need backup when dealing with emergencies like fires or collisions on highways close to state lines. This proposal enables first responders from Indiana to call on or help other responders from neighboring states while clarifying liability and certification issues that may arise when firefighters and police officers begin crossing jurisdictions.

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Indiana Senate Committee on Judiciary to Consider Senate Bill 105

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

Indiana’s Senate Committee on Judiciary will meet today to consider State Senator Ed Charbonneau’s proposal designed to help insolvent communities better manage their debts. Senate Bill 105 would offer financially stressed communities options including the appointment of a financial manager and ability to declare bankruptcy.

Under Charbonneau’s measure, local governments in the red could request the State to appoint a financial manager. This manager would work to make governments solvent again by addressing community affairs and helping to restructure debt and financial obligations.

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State Legislature to Focus on Prison Sentences in this Year’s Session

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Nancy Denbowski

Even though the State Legislature is overwhelmingly Republican, there still aren’t some issues that can by worked on in a bipartisan manner, according to 17th District State Representative Nancy Dembowski (D-Knox). One of those issues focuses on the state’s rapidly increasing prison population. Both Dembowski and State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) have gone on record as saying this is an issue that needs attention.

Dembowski blamed the General Assembly for causing some of the problems.

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Starke County Development Foundation Holds 25th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on Author WKVI
Back Row: Charles Weaver, Bill Sonnemaker and Terry Kimmel. Front Row: Chris Madsen, Matt Swanson, Marvin Peters, Steve Spaw, and Jack Lynch. Picture by Jayme Goetz

Dignitaries from throughout the county and Northwest Indiana attended the 25th Anniversary celebration for the Starke County Development Foundation Friday afternoon at the Knox Community Center.

Emcee, Ted Hayes, brought a number of people to the microphone during the program. They included State Representative Nancy Dembowski, State Senator Ed Charbonneau, Northwest Indiana Forum President, Mark Maassel; Starke County Development Foundation President, Bill Sonnemaker; Foundation Director, Charles Weaver; and former Foundation Director, Terry Kimmel.

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Local Lawmaker to Serve on Several Key Senate Committees

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

President Pro Tem David C. Long (R-Fort Wayne) has appointed State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) to serve as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Charbonneau said the committee examines the budget bill and the school funding formula, along with other legislation allocating state funds to numerous government agencies, departments and organizations on a biannual basis, in addition to other related issues.

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