Expansion of educational opportunities a key element of Rep. Errington’s legislative agenda for 2015

INDIANAPOLIS – During the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly, State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) will focus on legislation that will expand educational opportunities for Hoosiers of all ages, including an expansion of the state’s new early education program.

Rep. Errington is authoring a bill that would expand the existing pre-k pilot program to include the 13 counties that were selected as finalists for the program by Gov. Mike Pence, but were not chosen as one of the five counties that will conduct the pilot project. Delaware County would qualify for the program under this legislation.

“As a member of the Indiana House Education Committee, advancing early childhood education is a top priority,” said Errington. “This bill is a nonpartisan issue. I believe both parties recognize the difference early learning can make in a child’s life.”

The proposed program would be funded through proceeds from the state lottery administrative trust fund.

Supplying low-wage workers with opportunities for higher education is also on Rep. Errington’s agenda for the 2015 session. She is authoring a bill that would require the education savings authority to establish and administer a lifelong learning account program that is formulated to benefit people working low-wage jobs.

Account monies are intended to cover education and training costs at a postsecondary educational institution by the participating individual. Funds in the account are not subject to state income taxation if used for the previously specified costs. As an incentive, employers will be eligible to receive a state tax credit for contributing to their employees’ accounts. Specifications of the proposal are: (1) the account must be in a financial institution; and (2) allow a participating individual to deposit money that may be matched by the individual’s employer, a financial institution, or the state.

Rep. Errington will also pursue legislation permitting school corporations, which have lost at least 10 percent of their transportation fund levies due to property tax caps, to use money from other funds to help pay those costs. Assisting corporations troubled by transportation costs has been an ongoing concern for Rep. Errington. She co-authored a bill last year that established a three-year moratorium.

“This bill would take the next step to give permanent relief to struggling school districts,” commented Errington. “It will ensure they are able to keep their buses running to provide safe and dependable transportation for students at no additional cost to taxpayers.”

Efforts to prevent HPV (Human Papillomavirus), a leading cause of cervical cancer, have led Rep. Errington to author a bill that would require the state Department of Health to implement a comprehensive plan with specific goals and timelines to reduce the virus and promote awareness.

In response to feedback from constituents who are suffering from ailments such as chronic pain and seizures, Rep. Errington is also supporting a bill to legalize medical marijuana use in Indiana for special cases.