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Summer study topics announced ahead of the 2024 session

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Summer study topics announced ahead of the 2024 session

  • By Arianna Hunt, TheStatehouseFile.com
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Lawmakers proposed 160 topics for this year’s summer study committees, and 42 were chosen.

Summer study committee members meet in the summer and fall to discuss essential topics while consulting experts and the public to gain a better understanding of issues they may create legislation for in the next legislative session.

Notable among these topics were the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Indiana as it relates to workforce impacts and teen use, risks and possible opportunities of artificial intelligence, data on the increasing costs of higher education, and Medicaid oversight. For a complete list, go here.

With only 42 topics, some issues and committees are bound to be left out.

“Sen. [Shelli] Yoder had a very interesting study of menstrual products being taxed in the state of Indiana and how that has affected women across the country. There have actually been lawsuits filed. That did not make it to the agenda,” Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said.

Eight committees were not assigned topics by the Legislative Council (including the education committee), but this doesn’t necessarily mean that these topics, or many more topics that weren’t assigned to a committee, won’t be looked at by lawmakers.

“What we try to remind our members is just because there isn’t a summer study committee, doesn’t mean you can’t gather people, talk to people, go meet with stakeholders and continue to learn about the topics,” said Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston.

Just because a topic has a summer study committee does not necessarily mean that there will be laws made around it.

“There are some things that end up on the agenda during the regular session that became law because of the summer study committee,” Taylor said. “But let’s just be real about it. We live in a state legislature where there’s a supermajority, and so you’re going to have to convince the Republican caucus that it’s a formidable issue, and it’s something that should be done, and sometimes politics gets in the way and stagnates.”

FOOTNOTE: Arianna Hunt is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Turkey Run State Park Ranked Among Top 10 Parks In The U.S.

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New DNR smartphone app available

The upgraded, free smartphone app of the DNR is available now to help you maximize your enjoyment of the outdoor recreation the DNR offers in the Hoosier state.

The app has been completely rebuilt on a new platform for better device compatibility, featuring a new interface, better maps, more content, and the ability to receive notifications.

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Fireworks

Watch fireworks at several Indiana State Parks

Enjoy fireworks at Indiana State Park properties on Saturday, July 1. Fireworks begin around dusk.

Turkey Run

Turkey Run State Park ranked among top 10 parks in the U.S.

Turkey Run State Park was named the seventh best state park in the United States in a list of 15 according to TravelAwaits, a website dedicated to travelers 50 and older.

The site mentions the park’s sandstone gorges, suspension bridge, and Sugar Creek as reasons why Turkey Run stands out.

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Fishing

Top tips for tackling summer fishing

The best rule of thumb for summer fishing is to fish at dusk and dawn when the temperatures are cool and the UV is less intense. Fish the shallows, as the bigger predatory fish will swim there to eat before the UV index increases.

If you’re fishing during the middle of the day, focus your attention on deeper waters near structures. Fish will swim in the temperature of water most comfortable for them. Try fishing at different depths. Start shallow and increase the depth you’re fishing until you start getting bites.

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trees

Million Tree Initiative exceeds 900,000 mark

Gov. Holcomb, in his 2020 State of the State Address, charged the DNR with planting 1 million trees during the next five years.

Thanks to the efforts of the DNR Division of Forestry and its partners, that once-lofty goal is well within sight. This spring, 253,400 seedlings were planted on DNR properties, bringing the four-year planting total to 964,900.

As the seedlings grow, they create shrub/tree habitat for wildlife species that require early successional habit, the majority of which are in decline, and form a natural carbon storage solution.

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Bow hunter

IPLA switches to the reserved hunts program

The Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) program has switched to reserved hunts and will no longer be available through the self-service sign-in system. IPLA hunt applications and information can now be found on the reserved hunt webpage.

Properties from various agencies participate in reserved hunts and may have unique restrictions that each hunter must follow.

The upcoming reserved hunt application window spans from July 2—Aug 6. for various species:

  • Dove
  • Squirrel
  • Teal and Early Goose
  • Deer: archery
  • Deer: primitive muzzleloader (NWR hunts)
  • Deer: firearms (NWR & FWA hunts)
  • Deer: youth (NWR hunts)
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BBS

Photo courtesy of USGS

Help DNR study blotchy bass syndrome

Blotchy bass syndrome (BBS) is the occurrence of black ink-like spots (hyperpigmentation) on the skin, fins, and/or mouths of freshwater bass species.

Researchers once thought that melanosis was caused by sun exposure or stress related to fishing, temperature, or pollution; however, researchers recently discovered that a family of viruses was associated with the black spots in fish that were in poor body condition.

The Division of Fish & Wildlife is partnering with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to collect samples from black bass species to test for BBS and needs your help. DNR encourages anglers to report observations of affected bass when you are fishing, so they and USGS can learn more about the effect of this family of viruses.  

How to participate:

  • Download the MyCatch app from Angler’s Atlas.
  • Register for the “Blotchy Bass Bonanza.”
  • Take photos of all the bass you’ve caught (preferably on a measuring board) while fishing and upload them to the MyCatch app.

The Blotchy Bass Bonanza runs from March 1, 2023 —Feb. 29, 2024. The Indiana DNR is not associated with the MyCatch app or the Blotchy Bass Bonanza.

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Fort Harrison

Indiana State Park Inn summer lodging savings

Stay two nights, and receive 25% off your stay now through Aug. 31, 2023. Valid Sunday through Thursday only. Must stay two consecutive nights. Certain property-specific restrictions may apply.

Reserve today by calling 1.877.LODGES1 or reserve online at IndianaInns.com.

field trip

Natural Resources Foundation funds field trip to Spring Mill State Park 

In May, students from Washington High School spent a day immersed in the natural world at Spring Mill State Park, thanks to funding from the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program.

Offered in partnership with Indiana State Parks, Discover the Outdoors encourages educators to take students on field trips to an Indiana state park or reservoir. Dedicated staff at each property take time to guide the students through the natural and cultural history of the area they are exploring.

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Marquette

Next Level Trails celebrates Marquette Greenway opening in Portage

The 0.94-mile asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by the city of Portage with help from a $2.5 million Next Level Trails (NLT) grant. The award was announced in March 2021 as part of the second grant round of NLT. The project included a partnership with the National Parks Service.

Portage’s project closes a major gap in the Marquette Greenway system, a planned 50-mile multi-state trail intended to connect Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan. Starting at the Ameriplex Business Park, the new trail travels east through Indiana Dunes National Park, over Salt Creek, and connects to the Burns Harbor section of the greenway, a 1.5-mile NLT project completed in June 2021.

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STA

B&O Trail opens, will connect town of Speedway to Indianapolis

The new 1.9-mile asphalt multi-use rail trail was constructed by the Speedway Trails Association (STA) with help from a $4.9 million Next Level Trails (NLT) grant.

The recently completed project extends the existing B&O Trail in Speedway to the east and west. The eastern extension adds 1.7 miles of new trail from Allison Way to Michigan Street in Haughville. The western extension includes a new bridge over Eagle Creek that extends the trail 0.2 miles west to High School Road.

The final connection to downtown Indianapolis will be a 1.0-mile protected bike lane along the improved Michigan Street corridor. The bike lane, which is under construction, is scheduled for completion in early 2024.

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turkey brood

Report turkey broods for DNR this summer

In May, turkey chicks (poults), started to hatch in Indiana. This summer, the DNR needs your help counting turkey broods (hens with poults) and hens without poults. Brood reports have been collected since 1993 to calculate the annual wild turkey production index, which is used to inform biologists about population status and guide wildlife management for the species.

Please share your observations with us online from July 1 – Aug. 31. Recording observations takes less than five minutes, and no password is required.

DNR can’t calculate the production index without you. We appreciate your help.

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k9

Seven teams graduate Indiana Conservation Officer K-9 School

K-9 teams provide conservation officers an essential tool to help stop poaching. In the past 25 years, Indiana K-9 teams have been involved in thousands of such cases.

K-9 teams have also been used to find concealed game and firearms, as well as to find shell casings in road hunting and hunting-with-a-spotlight cases. They are used to find lost hunters as well as poachers who have tried to hide from officers.

Because of their unique abilities, K-9 units are often requested by other state and local law enforcement agencies for help in locating evidence, missing persons, or fleeing felons.

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Christmas in July at Mississinewa and Salamonie lakes

Enjoy campsite decorating, prizes, cornhole tournament, Smokey Bear’s Birthday Bash, bicycle parade, treats, water games, and much more.

July 15, Mississinewa Lake
July 22, Salamonie Lake

OI

Aquatic Center at Prophetstown State Park

Get your copy of Outdoor Indiana magazine

The July/August issue of Outdoor Indiana magazine features a cover story on DNR’s wide variety swimming spots. Become part of Outdoor Indiana. Subscribe for yourself, a friend or relative.
events
INRF

The Foundation celebrates and preserves Indiana’s natural legacy by raising funds to support the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and its programs.

Leadership change for Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning

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Indiana Medicaid Director Allison Taylor will be resigning later this summer after serving eight years with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, including six years leading the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning through historic changes and events.

“Allison has led Medicaid through its most transformative time,” FSSA Secretary Dr. Dan Rusyniak said. “The positive impact she has made will benefit Hoosiers for decades to come. We will miss her.”

Taylor first served as general counsel of FSSA and then became Indiana Medicaid director in 2017. During her tenure, she was also selected among her peers nationwide to serve as president of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.

“Allison served with great distinction as president of the NAMD Board of Directors, elevating states’ best practices and liaising with federal partners,” said Kate McEvoy NAMD executive director.

“The Indiana Medicaid team is unlike any in this nation, moving mountains to serve Hoosiers, and I will enthusiastically work to ensure a smooth and successful transition,” Taylor said. “This work has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Among the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning’s achievements under Taylor’s leadership:

  • Indiana received a first-of-its-kind 10-year renewal for the Healthy Indiana Plan
  • A multi-pronged effort was launched to reform long-term services and supports founded on industry-leading Medicare integration
  • Telehealth services were expanded for Hoosiers
  • A Medicaid provider reimbursement rate matrix was established to ensure a sustainable, predictable reimbursement structure going forward
  • Substance use disorder and serious mental illness treatments were expanded and a continuum built for better behavioral care delivery
  • Indiana became a national leader in managed care alignment, compliance and oversight

“We focus every day on serving Hoosiers and helping them live their best lives, in fully integrated communities,” Taylor said. “During the pandemic, Medicaid flexed and did what it does best – served individuals and communities in need.”

The executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors commended Taylor’s service.

“Allison served with great distinction as president of the NAMD Board of Directors, elevating states’ best practices and liaising with federal partners,” Kate McEvoy said.

Dr. Rusyniak also announced that Cora Steinmetz will be the next director of Indiana Medicaid. Steinmetz and Taylor will work closely during the weeks ahead to ensure a smooth transition later this summer for employees and all initiatives underway.

“No leader is better positioned to continue this important work than Cora Steinmetz,” Dr. Rusyniak said. “Her knowledge of Medicaid finance, policy and regulation combined with her communication and team management skills will assure that the critical work we are doing seamlessly continues.”

Steinmetz has been Gov. Holcomb’s senior operations director for health-related state agencies, including FSSA, Department of Child Services and Indiana Department of Health, since 2021. She has been deeply involved in developing policy and strategy and guiding the state’s work related to the Governor’s Public Health Commission, the long-term services and supports reform, the delivery of mental health services and the evolution of early childhood learning services.

“I am deeply grateful for my time in Governor Holcomb’s office and the faith he and Dr. Rusyniak are placing in me as I move into the Medicaid director role,” Steinmetz said. “Over the last two years, I have been fortunate to work side-by-side with the Medicaid team and other agency leaders on a number of key health strategies and initiatives. This has given me a firsthand view of the incredible impact this team has on our state and I look forward to continuing the important work underway.”

Steinmetz, a licensed attorney, previously worked as a program director for government programs and revenue cycle compliance for Indiana University Health and was an attorney for the Indiana Department of Revenue and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. She is also a board member for Music for All, a national organization focused on music education.

Eagles Announce 2023 Men’s Soccer Schedule

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer announced their 2023 schedule today, including its first Ohio Valley Conference slate of games. The Screaming Eagles open their season at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on August 24 in Indianapolis, Indiana, while beginning the home calendar August 27 by hosting Mercer University at Strassweg Field.

This fall marks the inaugural season of men’s soccer in the OVC. The OVC announced in March that men’s soccer would become the conference’s 19th-sponsored sport with four full-time members and four affiliated members.

The 2023 USI home schedule is a nine-game schedule that includes a four-match homestand in September. The homestand includes cross-town rival University of Evansville (September 9), Belmont University (September 12), former GLVC-rival Northern Kentucky University (September 19), and the OVC-opener versus Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (September 28).

Prior to the four-match homestand, USI is on the road to play at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (September 1) and Akron University (September 4). The Eagles, following the four-match homestand, travel to play OVC contests at Lindenwood University (October 1), Houston Christian University (October 5), and University of Incarnate Word (October 8).

USI returns to the friendly surroundings of Strassweg Field for three-straight during the middle of October. The Eagles host OVC matches against Chicago State University (October 12), Liberty University (October 15), and Eastern Illinois University (October 19) during the final homestand of the year.

The road schedule concludes with SIUE (October 22) and EIU (October 26) before the Eagles conclude the 2023 regular season with Lindenwood University (October 29).

The OVC Men’s Soccer Championship will take place November 5, 8 and 11 in Edwardsville, Illinois, at SIUE’s Ralph Korte Stadium.

The Eagles finished 2022 with a 2-12-3 record and a 2-5-1 record in the Summit League. USI, which was 1-3-1 against OVC teams last year, would have earned a trip to the Summit post-season tournament had it be eligible in its return to NCAA Division I play last falls.

The Eagles are under the direction of Head Coach Mat Santoro, who enters his 15th season with the program and boasts a career record of 111-108-27.

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

20230620023426890

FOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

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More than half of states will recognize Juneteenth as an official public holiday in 2023

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More than half of states will recognize Juneteenth as an official public holiday in 2023

BY KATHERINE SCHAEFFER
for PEW RESEARCH CENTER

The newest federal holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. But at the state level, governments vary considerably in whether they commemorate it as an official holiday, a day of observance or something in between.

This year, at least 28 states and the District of Columbia will legally recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday – meaning state government offices are closed and state workers have a paid day off – according to a Pew Research Center analysis of state human resources websites, state legislation and news articles. Connecticut, Minnesota, Nevada and Tennessee have made Juneteenth a public holiday at the state level starting this year.

How we did this

A map showing where state workers have Juneteenth as a paid day off.

In most of these states, Juneteenth is designated as a permanent state holiday and commemorated annually. In Alabama and West Virginia, Juneteenth has been authorized as a state holiday for this year by a governor’s proclamation; the holiday can become permanent in these states if their legislatures pass bills to make it so.

In addition to D.C. and the states where Juneteenth is an official public holiday, other states give certain government workers the day off but haven’t declared Juneteenth a holiday at the state level.

Starting this year, California state employees can choose to take Juneteenth off in lieu of a personal holiday. In Pennsylvania, the day is designated as an “official annual observance” and a paid day off for state employees under the governor’s jurisdiction. And in North Carolina, some state workers can choose to take a floating holiday on a day of “cultural, religious or personal significance,” including Juneteenth.

A table showing when states and D.C. first recognized Juneteenth as observance or holiday.

Juneteenth is a combination of the words June and nineteenth. It commemorates the day more than two months after the end of the Civil War – and more than two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation – when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom.

It is one of 11 official federal holidays – or 12 for federal workers in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas during presidential inauguration years – meaning that federal workers get a paid day off and there’s no mail delivery. Most federal offices are closed on federal holidays, along with most banks and the bond markets that trade in U.S. government debt. The stock markets generally remain open, as do most retailers and other businesses, though these vary by federal holiday.

Most states where Juneteenth is a public holiday added it to their calendars in 2020 or later. The exception is Texas, where the holiday originated and where it is also known as Emancipation Day. Juneteenth has been celebrated locally in Texas since the 1860s and became an official state holiday there in 1980.

Public awareness of Juneteenth grew in 2020 amid nationwide protests after the police killings of several Black Americans, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. President Joe Biden signed the legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday in June 2021.

Every state has at some point passed a resolution recognizing Juneteenth at least as a day of observance – even those that do not count Juneteenth among their official public holidays. An observance is a day of awareness that isn’t accompanied by a day off.

In fact, except for Texas, all states that currently recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday commemorated it as a day of observance years before it became an official state holiday. Florida, Oklahoma and Minnesota were the first states outside Texas to commemorate Juneteenth as a day of observance in the 1990s. New Mexico has recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday since 2006, observed on the third Saturday of June; it became a paid holiday for state workers for the first time in 2022.

South Dakota, North Dakota and Hawaii were the last states to give Juneteenth any formal recognition as an important date. The day was not observed in South Dakota until 2020, when the governor proclaimed it a state holiday. In Hawaii and North Dakota, Juneteenth has been a day of observance since 2022 but is not considered a state holiday.

Juneteenth is catching on as a holiday in major U.S. cities as well. Last year, cities including New York, Los Angeles and Phoenix declared the day an official paid holiday for city workers. In addition to Juneteenth, the District of Columbia celebrates Emancipation Day on April 16 in honor of the day Lincoln freed the enslaved people living in D.C., almost nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation.

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