Rep. Errington’s efforts focusing on addressing local community needs during 2014 session

INDIANAPOLIS – In her second session as a state representative, Sue Errington (D-Muncie) pushed multiple bills to the governor’s desk, including her work on transportation funding and recycling reporting in Indiana.

As a member of the Indiana House Education Committee, Errington focused on legislation aimed at creating solutions for schools facing economic hardships. She coauthored House Bill 1062, which allows schools suffering at least a 10-percent loss in revenue in their bus transportation funds to gain greater ability to manage their funds in order to fill in the gaps.

“Early in the session, there was a push in my community for legislation to protect the transportation systems for schools while not dumping the burden on tax payers,” explained Errington.

““This bill will help keep the buses running in Muncie, as well as other school systems, at no additional cost to taxpayers. It simply restores flexibility for schools to manage their funds to avoid the crisis that was facing the Muncie School District.”

Errington also pushed to the governor legislation that requires every individual who recycles materials generated by two or more people to report to the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on the amount of material they recycle.

The legislation will allow them the option to report annually or quarterly. Errington believes it will help to reach the state goal of recycling 50 percent of all municipal waste.

“We need to get a better look at exactly how much our state is recycling. Without any system of reporting, we would have had no way to know whether or not we were reaching the goals we set for the state,” said Errington.

According to a recent study by Ball State’s Bowen Center for Public Policy, if Indiana were to increase the amount it diverts from waste to recycling by just 25 percent, the state could see the creation of 10,000 new jobs.

Errington plans to continue her work throughout the summer in order to implement effective ideas aimed at assisting Hoosiers who need the most help.

“Throughout this session I think we have all learned the importance of bipartisanship and cooperation when it comes to helping Hoosier communities,” Errington said.

“Though opportunities to improve the lives of our constituents were frequently passed over, specifically regarding schools and public health concerns, I am proud that I was able to be part of some of the cooperative bipartisan legislation that will begin to address many concerns throughout the state.”