Bill to extend military income tax exemption heading to the Senate

Today, Feb. 18, House Bill 1280 passed out of the House unanimously and is heading to the Senate. HB 1280 extends the individual income tax exemption for military pay to cover members of the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.

State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), author of HB 1280, issued the following statement:

“Hoosiers who work every day to keep the people of our state and our nation safe deserve all the support available from Indiana’s government. That support includes allowing service members to keep more of their hard-earned money. The men and women who selflessly dedicate their careers to the United States Space Force, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps deserve to be included in the military income tax exemption and military retirement and survivor’s benefits.

“Supporting our uniformed service members is an issue that transcends political parties. I am thankful to my colleagues across the aisle for sharing my dedication to the well-being of Hoosier service members and veterans. I look forward to working with the Senate to get this policy passed into law and get more dollars into the wallets of Hoosier military families.”

House Democratic lawmakers unveil ‘Hoosier Home Field Advantage’ legislative package

Today, several Indiana House Democratic lawmakers rolled out "The Hoosier Home Field Advantage," a set of legislative proposals designed to grow Indiana's sports economy.

State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster), House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne), State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) and State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) offered the agenda to unite Hoosiers across the political spectrum, pointing out that Democrats, Republicans and everyone in between love sports.

The legislation includes:

1. House Bill 1534: Requires school corporations and charter schools to offer a cash payment option at athletic events beginning July 1, 2025

2. House Bill 1541: Prohibits IHSAA from charging for streaming high school athletic events

3. House Bill 1517: Designates the day after the Super Bowl an annual state holiday called "American Professional Football Day"

4. House Bill 1292: Establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, which will work to attract a professional sports franchise to NWI and spur economic development and job creation

5. House Bill 1608: Requires the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to study methods and strategies to allow Indiana to become a leader in the development of the e-sports industry

Drafted amendments include:

1. An amendment by Andrade requiring the Indiana Sports Corporation to invest money received from the statewide sports and tourism bid fund as necessary to attract and promote professional wrestling events

2. An amendment by Gore to institute a sales tax exemption on children's athletic gear

"Indiana is already doing great in the sports realm, but Indiana House Democrats believe we can do even better and send our sports industry through the stratosphere," Gore said. "The 'Hoosier Home Field Advantage' is a legislative package designed to improve our sports economy and show Hoosiers that state government can be responsive to their lives and interests.

"My bill to make the Monday after the Super Bowl a state holiday will give hard-working Hoosiers an additional day off. Our national economy always takes a hit that day due to decreased worker productivity anyway. Additionally, we need to encourage kids of all economic backgrounds to participate in sports, which is why I have drafted an amendment that would provide all Hoosiers with a sales tax exemption for children's athletic gear."

"This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take my son to the WWE Royal Rumble that was hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium," Andrade said. "My son is a lifelong WWE fan, and I started taking him to pro-wrestling events when he was 5 years old and we continue the tradition of father-son time to this day. We had wrestling fans visit Indy from across the country and around the world for this electrifying event. That's why I'll be offering an amendment this session to require that the Indiana Sports Corporation invest money received from the statewide sports and tourism bid fund to attract and promote more professional wrestling events. This is a great economic growth opportunity for our state, and we need to take advantage of it."

"Parents have come to me expressing concern that some high schools no longer accept cash payment for entry into sporting events," GiaQuinta said. "This is an unnecessary barrier to Hoosiers enjoying the high school athletics that their taxes pay for, which is why I filed HB 1534 to require that schools offer a cash payment option. Likewise, Hoosiers shouldn't have to pay a fee to watch IHSAA's streaming of high school sporting events, which is why I authored HB 1541 to ensure that families and friends of athletes are able to watch them compete from afar without paying for it."

Harris' HB 1292 passed unanimously out of the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee on Monday, Feb. 3 and was recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee. Miller's HB 1608 is scheduled to receive a hearing in the House Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Gore thanks veterans for their service, reminds Hoosiers of the Green Alert system

State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement reminding Hoosiers about the Green Alert system in honor of Veterans Day: 

“The nation pauses on Nov. 11 every year to honor military veterans for their brave and selfless service to the United States of America. We owe veterans our deepest gratitude and respect for putting their lives at risk to defend the sacred principles of freedom and democracy.

“As Hoosiers take a moment to thank the veterans in their lives and their communities, I want to remind everyone of a new program in our state designed to enhance the safety of Hoosier veterans. 

“This past legislative session, I was immensely proud to have passed a bill to establish a statewide Green Alert system that went into effect on July 1 of this year. The Green Alert notifies the public when an at-risk veteran goes missing. This allows law enforcement and the community to go into the situation fully informed and with an added sense of urgency as veterans suffering from conditions such as PTSD are more likely to be experiencing a mental health crisis when they go missing.

“Those who fought for us deserve a state that supports and protects them when they come home. To all of our veterans: thank you for your sacrifice, thank you for your valor, and thank you for your service.” 

For information about what to do if an at-risk veteran in your life goes missing, visit the Green Alert homepage here.

Gore, IMPD celebrate first Green Alert resulting in successful location of a missing veteran

On Monday (Sept. 16), a statewide Green Alert was issued following the disappearance of a veteran in Southwest Indianapolis. As of yesterday (Sept. 19), 44-year-old Justin Cavin has been safely located by detectives from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). During the 2024 legislative session, State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) authored House Enrolled Act 1021 to establish the statewide Green Alert system for missing, at-risk veterans. This week marks the first successful use of the Green Alert System since it launched on July 1 of this year. 

“When I authored House Enrolled Act 1021, I knew that if it helped bring one at-risk veteran home safely then all of my time in the General Assembly would be well worth it,” Gore said. “The safety of Hoosier veterans should be a top priority for the state, and creating an alert lets our veterans and their families know that if they go missing, we will find them. This week, we saw the Green Alert system used to bring a veteran home to their loved ones.

“I am so thankful that we were able to safely locate Mr. Cavin after his disappearance earlier this week. Specifically, I want to thank Indiana State Police's missing person clearinghouse and the detectives of the IMPD for working together to successfully administer the first Green Alert. Getting this law passed and signed into effect was important, but for it to have a positive impact in Hoosiers' lives, we needed the leadership of our public safety agencies to put it into action with care and precision, just as they did here. It's important that we care for and support our veterans both at home and abroad.” 

 “This first-ever green alert highlights the crucial role we all play in protecting our veterans. I am incredibly relieved that Mr. Cavin has been located safe. This successful outcome demonstrates the power of community awareness and collaboration by law enforcement agencies,” said Chief Chris Bailey. 

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Gore celebrates the start of Indiana’s ‘Green Alert’ for missing, at-risk veterans

Monday, July 1, a number of laws passed during the 2024 legislative session will go into effect – including HEA 1021. This law establishes a “Green Alert” which notifies law enforcement and the public that a missing person is an at-risk veteran. 

State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), author of HEA 1021, issued the following statement:

“I am so glad that this critical measure to enhance the safety of Hoosier veterans is officially available. Establishing a Green Alert sends the message to veterans that if they go missing, the state will put everything we have into finding them. 

“Indiana’s veteran suicide rate is almost 5% higher than the national average according to the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. We know that veterans struggling with PTSD are more likely to be experiencing a mental health crisis if they go missing. Adding this alert system specifically for at-risk veterans adds a sense of urgency and allows law enforcement and the public to go into the situation fully informed. 

“Our veterans risk their lives defending American freedom and democracy, and they deserve the best services available to keep them safe when they return. The Green Alert system will save lives.”

For information about what to do if an at-risk veteran in your life goes missing, visit the new Green Alert homepage here. 

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