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Central Committee:
  Wayne Parke,
Mary Jo Kaiser,
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 Chairman
 Political Director
 Vice Chairman
 Treasurer
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News and Upcoming Events Tuesday, January 29, 2019
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Councilwoman Michelle Mercer
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Mercer will not seek re-election to City Council at Large
On Monday, January 28, 2019, City Councilwoman Michelle Mercer released the following statement:
It is with deep disappointment, I announce I will not seek re-election for City Council at Large. This has been a very difficult decision. A citywide campaign for an at large seat in IN’s 3rd largest city requires an extensive time commitment and effort.
Personally, it is not a good time for me to be able to devote the time required to run a successful citywide re-election campaign.
I will continue to devotedly serve the remainder of my term with the same deep commitment, energy, passion, and fervor that I have throughout the past three years. Serving as City council at Large is an honor and a privilege that I continue to cherish.
This term has been and continues to be probably the most exciting ever in Evansville’s history to serve on City Council. Evansville is moving forward with business and economic developments and quality of life developments like never before. I am proud to be a leader in those vibrant advancements for our city.
I am hopeful there will be another opportunity to seek election to public office at a better time. I thank all those who have supported me to gain this seat and continue to support me in serving out my term.
Michelle Mercer
City Councilwoman at Large
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 Declaration of candidacy for primary election continues through February 8 –
The period to file a declaration of candidacy for the Municipal Primary Election continues now through Noon Friday, February 8, 2019. Refer to the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division’s Candidate Information webpage for candidate forms and additional information. Contact VCRP Political Director Mary Jo Kaiser at beamerjo59@gmail.com or 812-425-8207 if you have any questions.
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 County Commission Meeting-  Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019
 Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Room 301, Civic Center Complex
1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
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County Council Meeting- Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Time: 3:30 PM
1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
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Meet your Legislators Meeting-
Date: Saturday, February 9, 2019
Time: Doors open at 9 am. Sessions start at 9:15 am and end at 11 am.
200 SE Marin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Evansville, IN 47713
Local state legislators are invited to make themselves available to answer questions on the second Saturdays of each month during each year’s legislative session.
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 City Council Meeting-  Date: Monday, February 11, 2019
 Time: 5:30 PM
        1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
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EVSC Board of School Trustees Meeting-
 Date: February 11, 2019
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VCRP Central Committee Meeting -Â Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Location: GOP Headquarters
815 John Street, Evansville
Meetings are open to all Vanderburgh County Precinct CommitteemenÂ
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Vanderburgh County Republican Party Breakfast:Â Saturday, February 16, 2019
Where: C.K. Newsome Center, Room 118A-B
100 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47713
Time:Â Â 7:30 am – Doors Open; Program begins at 8:00 am and adjourns at 9:00 am.
Contact Mary Jo Kaiser at 812-425-8207 for more information.
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Cracker Barrel Meeting–
Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: First Methodist Church (Activity Hall)
601 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, IN
The Posey County, Vanderburgh County, and Warrick County Farm Bureau Inc. join the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Warrick County Chamber of Commerce to host the Cracker Barrel sessions on the third Saturday of each month during the 2019 Indiana Legislative session. Join local state legislators in the second of four scheduled public forums Saturday, February 16, 2019.
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According to a 2018 employer survey by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, 51 percent of Hoosier employers left an open job unfilled in the past year because they could not find a qualified applicant.
This alarming statistic is one reason workforce development is crucial to the success of Indiana’s future economy. Over the past few years, the Indiana General Assembly has passed various initiatives aimed at improving our state’s workforce, and we are already seeing returns on those efforts. One workforce development initiative, the Next Level Jobs Program, launched by Gov. Eric Holcomb, aims to take Indiana’s workforce to the next level by focusing on the industries and jobs integral to Indiana’s 21st-century economy. Since the launch of the program, our state has seen more and more Hoosiers enroll in high-value certificate programs, and completion rates have consistently risen. For more information on career-training opportunities, visit NextLevelJobs.org.
Our unemployment rate stands at 3.6 percent for December and remains lower than the national rate of 3.9 percent.
Additionally, the Senate Republican Caucus recently announced our legislative priorities for this session, which include advancing our state’s workforce development. Legislation introduced in 2019 would benefit Hoosiers as they enter the workforce by focusing on long-term changes and ensuring our existing training programs result in meaningful career paths.
Visit www.in.gov/dwd for more information on Indiana’s workforce development programs.
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“Southwest Indiana is now providing the state leadership in the innovative approach they fostered to help at-risk mothers, and are therefore helping reduce our state’s infant mortality rate.”
-Holli Sullivan
“Vanderburgh County health officials have worked extremely hard to provide the best services to at-risk mothers. “Expanding this program to areas of the state with the highest infant mortality rates and least access to perinatal care is a primary goal and reason for this legislation.”
– Wendy McNamara
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Indiana House supports legislation to provide perinatal care for at-risk mothers:  ( from Post by VKlimczak 1/24/19)
The Indiana House of Representatives voted last week (1/24/19) in favor of legislation co-authored by State Reps. Wendy McNamara and Holli Sullivan that would provide at-risk mothers with better access to health care and reduce Indiana’s infant mortality rate. Under House Bill 1007, medical providers would check for signs of substance abuse in pregnant women through a consultation, referring women to substance abuse treatment programs as early as possible.
The proposal would also establish a perinatal navigator pilot program, which would help connect expecting mothers with prenatal care and wrap-around services. The pilot program would be based on Vanderburgh County’s Pre to 3 program, which is one of the most successful Safety PIN grant programs in the state. This free program was designed to provide consistent care for families from pregnancy until the baby reaches age three.  This legislation would connect at-risk pregnant women with more obtainable resources and health care providers.
House Bill 1007 now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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 Â Lugar Series Next Generation:In 2017, The Lugar Series founded a training program for young women, ages 13-18, called Lugar Series Next Generation. As an organization, we feel it is our duty to teach young women the process of government, how to think through policy issues and implementation and how to communicate her best ideas for solving public problems at an early age. Our goal is for these young women to foster a love for government and politics, and to encourage them to pursue elected or appointed office in the future.
 The Lugar Series is hosting another Next Generation Training Day this March to help more talented young women get involved! Applications are due January 31st.  Apply HERE! |
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Keeping Schools Safe –
House Republicans are working to further improve safety for students, teachers and school staff across Indiana. Two bills ( HB1004 and HB1063) have been proposed that would ensure better protection in our schools. Indiana is a national leader in school safety, but it is clear more must be done. The proposed legislation would continue strengthening physical security and mental health resources in Hoosier schools, and place first-aid kits to help in emergency situations in public schools. Read more.. |
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Stay in touch with GOP state legislators representing our area by clicking the links below.
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Follow Bills introduced for the 2019 legislative session HERE. |
President Trump’s pro-growth policies are unleashing economic growth and providing opportunities to workers across the country. Learn more here and at Two Years Of Monumental Accomplishments. |
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Remarks by President Trump on the Government Shutdown:  Last Friday, January 25, 2019, President Donald Trump announced a temporary deal to end the government shutdown, providing immediate relief for government workers affected by the impasse created by open border Democrats.
The President ended his remarks with the following, “So let me be very clear: We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier. If we don’t get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15th, again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency. We will have great security.”
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Read the full text of the President’s remarks HERE |
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Stay in touch with GOP members of Congress representing our area at these links:
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       Visit the Vanderburgh GOPÂ
page for daily updates.
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 Mark Your calendar        CLICK on the event for more information
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 Make sure you add vandygop@gmail.com to your address book so we’ll be sure to land in your inbox! |
     If you have any questions, contact Mary Jo Kaiser, VCRP Political Director, at
for more info. Thank you.
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