The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Indiana General Assembly. Alongside the Indiana State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Indiana state government and works alongside the governor of Indiana to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Indiana House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising, and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
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The State of Indiana must improve its performance with regard to women's health. The mortality rate for mothers and new borns is shocking. There are 30 counties in the state that do not have a practicing OB/Gyn. There have been few solutions proposed for these issues. Yet, the State of Indiana has restricted a women's options in reproductive health. Its policy is highly selective. I would write legislation to provide incentives for physicians to practice in these underserved counties and would support initiatives to protect a women's right to choose. Second, our performance in education is unsatisfactory. The charter school movement is a failure. I am concerned that the lessening of teacher qualifications and low pay have damaged Indiana's future. Indiana needs to be accountable in education. Third, the environment needs to be protected. I would propose legislation that would strictly regulate "industrial farms" and promote traditional and non-traditional agriculture.
A market change is affecting this issue. The traffic moving through Northwest Indiana poses a large problem. I would vote to mandate that counties and muncipalities prepare and implement Sustainability Plans. The industry moving into the Northwest Region is not the traditional heavy industry. The proposed Data Centers will bring their own issues but not the traditional industrial pollution. The burgeoning warehousing operations and the resulting increase in traffic congestion and pollution caused by motor vehicles will require stronger regulation. I would propose a statewide tax based on the amount of pollulants that emanate from a vehicle's "tailpipe." The concept that a brown field is a legacy issue is flawed. Industries must repair the damage to the air and water during the industry's good days rather than wait until the industry has been shuttered or moved on to another location. I would make IDEM a stronger voice in enforcement of standards. Protect wetlands, Plant more Trees now
AI is a new concern. As it develops, it will become a greater threat but at present I do not believe that it is a credible threat. The mere reliance on an Indiana Operator's License will not be enough. The use of biometric safeguards may be the more effective way to protect the election infrastructure.
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Funding is one of the issues in the promotion of equity in education. School funding based on property tax is always going to result in educational inequity. I would like to look at alternative methods of funding education. I would support the creation of a higher, uniform set of qualifications for teachers. This would require that teacher pay be increased. It is inequitable that public school systems may be taken "captive" by the state but that charter schools are not as rigorously regulated and controlled. The charter schools and public schools would be judged by the same metrics. I believe that the State of Indiana needs to take responsibility for the lack of success in this area. I would restore the right to negotiate contracts to the teachers unions. In fact, I would restore the general right to strike to these unions. I would oppose Core Forty.
I would reinvigorate "Home Rule". I would propose legislation that would allow a County to impose a tax to support public health, both physical and mental. Home Rule has been emasculated by the legislature. If I could not revigorate Home Rule in the curent legislature, I would propose a new monthly tax on cellular telephones at the rate of $1.00/month/number to support public health. I would vote to mandate the creation and deployment of Mobile Crisis Teams at the county level if not the muncipal level. Acco
According to the US News and World Report, Indiana ranks 30th. We live in a state that is ranked in the bottom half of the nation. We can do better. But it requires a positive vision, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to recognize an issue. The current legislature lacks vision and any sense of initiative. We must foster and retain our young people. Rather than legislating morality, Indiana should trust its citizens and let them express a vision for the state.
