Rep. Sheila Klinker’s 2018 interim study committee assignments announced

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislative leaders named State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) to five legislative study committees that will meet to consider a variety of legislative topics during the upcoming months.

Klinker will serve on the Interim Study Committee on Education; the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations; the Indiana Commission for Women; the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission; and the State Fair Advisory Committee.

“Interim study committees play a vital role assisting the Indiana General Assembly in making informed decisions when these issues are considered by state legislators,” said Klinker. “The study committee meetings are bipartisan efforts by both House and Senate members to thoroughly examine assigned legislative topics and then make recommendations to both chambers of the General Assembly. I am honored and proud to serve on these various committees.”

The Interim Study Committee on Education will examine the topic of autism and public education. In addition, the committee will review issues relating to career counseling in elementary schools and high schools. Those issues include funding, workload, multiple graduation pathways, and the fiscal impact of having multiple graduation pathways. Rep. Klinker would also like the committee to examine testing procedures administered throughout the state as well as ways of encouraging Indiana’s best and brightest to enter the teaching profession.

The Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations has the responsibility of ensuring the coordination of increased cooperation between state and local governments. It also reviews the effects that federal, state, and court decisions have on local units of government.

The Indiana Commission on Women (ICW) explores issues affecting the status of women and their families as it seeks to find solutions to the problems Hoosier women may face. The commission’s goals include full participation of women in all aspects of society and the creation of a better, more positive environment in Indiana for women in the workplace. The ICW also hosts the Torchbearer Award every September, which honors women who have made a significant difference in the history of Indiana.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission commemorates the birthdate of Dr. King through special events that honor his life, works, philosophy, and his dream of freedom, justice and racial equality.

The Indiana State Fair Advisory Committee serves as a liaison between the State Fairgrounds administrative bodies and the Indiana General Assembly. In addition, the committee reviews State Fair and Fairgrounds policies and offers its advice to State Fairgrounds officials.