Organization Day, upcoming session

The 2014 session is right around the corner, and Organization Day kicked off the legislative proceedings on Tuesday, November 19. It was a great day to put the final touches on all of the work we have accomplished this summer during interim study committees to prepare for this upcoming session.

This year will be a “short session” because we passed the state’s biennial budget last year. We have a total of 30 session days to meet and address the people’s business. There are many benefits to having a part-time legislature; including saving on operational costs, time restrictions to handle pertinent matters, meaning things get done, and greater accountability.

Each year the House of Representatives chooses a charity to help and promote. Legislators and staff will bring in items during the weeks prior and on Organization Day benefiting the Special Olympics of Indiana (SOI) this year.

They are a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 11,000 athletes across Indiana. SOI is part of the international network of accredited Special Olympics Programs that reaches nearly 4 million athletes with intellectual disabilities worldwide.

I look forward to serving our community and will continue to carry your voice to Indianapolis in an effort to build a pro-business environment that attracts high quality jobs in Indiana.

Over the next few months, the Statehouse will become a whirlwind of committee hearings, meetings with constituents and authoring legislation. I look forward to keeping you updated on this short, but busy session.   If you have suggestions, questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 317-232-9841 or via email at h76@in.gov.