Please help me by voicing your support for my community-focused legislative initiatives

STATEHOUSE – Many of you have asked me how you can assist in supporting my community-focused legislative initiatives.

Well, now is the perfect time to get involved in the legislative process.

If you are interested in supporting any of the bills below, simply call or email the chairperson of the committee to which that bill has been assigned. That chairperson will be deciding if the bill will or will not be heard during this lawmaking session of the Indiana State Legislature.

Your message to the committee chairperson could be as simple as, “I support House Bill 1256 to improve our community and I would appreciate it if you would give this bill a hearing.” A personal testimony, if possible, is always welcomed and encouraged.

For additional information, you will find below descriptions of the bills that are included in my 2015 legislative agenda. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my legislative assistant, Lauren Harris, by email at [email protected] or by phone at (317)234-9048.

House Bill (HB) 1172 Women’s Occupational Opportunity: Establishes a grant program that provides women with innovative on-the-job training to assist them in reaching high demand, nontraditional positions of employment in safe work environments. The proposed legislation requires businesses to have an “equal pay certification” if they have a contract with the state; ensuring women are paid equally.

HB 1173 Voter Pre-Registration: Provides that a person who is at least 16 years of age but not more than 18 years of age may register to vote but may not vote until the person will be at least 18 years of age at the next general, municipal, or special election.

HB 1256 Small Business and Grocer Investment Program: Establishes the small business and grocer investment fund. The fund’s objective is to motivate grocers to bring fresh, reasonably priced, and nutritious food options to under-served, high-need communities located in food deserts.

HB 1257 High Crime District Loan Fund: Establishes a disadvantaged district loan fund to encourage community and economic development in high crime underprivileged areas. The bill appropriates $250,000 for the proposed program.

HB 1258 Grant Program for Hiring Ex-Offenders: Provides a $3,000 grant to employers for hiring ex-offenders with convictions within the past 12 months. The grant is issued for each qualified individual that is hired.

HB 1259 Employer Wellness Tax Credit: Restores the income tax credit for small employers who provide a qualified wellness program for their employees for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015.

HB 1325 Resident Tuition Rate: Establish the resident’s tuition act. It qualifies Indiana residents who are authorized by the United States Department of Homeland Security to be present in the United States to pay in-state tuition for postsecondary education.

HB 1326 Tutoring Grant Program Fund: Proposes to establish a tutoring program grant fund for children who are enrolled in schools designated “D” or “F” by the Indiana Department of Education and receiving failing grades.

HB 1327 Student Health Coverage Information: Requires schools to provide health coverage information to parents through students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches under the national school lunch program.