FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Without drama, Indiana Senate passes Sen. James Tomes resolution to honor National Rifle Association
Without drama, Indiana Senate passes Sen. James Tomes resolution to honor National Rifle Association
INDIANAPOLIS—On the same day as America’s most recent mass shooting and four days before the National Rifle Association visits Indianapolis for its national convention, senators voted through a resolution to celebrate the organization’s leadership and gun safety programming.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting in the Senate Chamber, Sen. James Tomes, R-Wadesville, stood before his colleagues to share Senate Resolution 33 to honor the National Rifle Association’s executive vice president and CEO, Wayne LaPierre, for his more than 30 years of service to the NRA.
The organization is a national gun rights advocacy group that works to lobby for the Second Amendment while teaching gun safety practices. The NRA’s stance on gun control remains that firearms are not the cause of shootings, instead saying on its website, “Criminals overwhelmingly obtain their firearms through illegal channels and will never be deterred by state and federal laws.â€
LaPierre is in town because the NRA is hosting its 152nd annual national convention in Indianapolis this week, with speakers including former President Donald Trump, former Vice President and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, on the schedule to appear.
The resolution did not come without controversy. The Moms Demand Action activism group came to protest against SR 33.
Group founder Shannon Watts shared on her Twitter account, “Indiana Republicans are preparing to celebrate corrupt NRA president Wayne LaPierre in the statehouse, so @MomsDemand volunteers showed up to remind them that the gun industry’s agenda is killing our kids and endangering communities. Why are they celebrating that?â€
This frustration comes after shootings in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, Louisville on Monday, and Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, the same day as the resolution.
However, Tomes said the NRA’s work with gun safety programming is something to be celebrated.Â
“Since 2016, the NRA has refused to be a victim. Seminars have helped more than 100,000 men and women develop their own personal safety plans using common-sense strategies. For more than 150 years, the NRA has assisted millions of individuals in the United States and abroad in learning firearm safety through its own various programs,†Tomes said.
Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen, supported Tomes on the resolution.
“This is a wonderful group doing good things, and I was pleased to be one of the authors of the constitutional carry bill which was passed last year,†Doriot said. “And I hope more of you will join me and Sen. Tomes on this resolution.â€
No Democratic senators shared their thoughts on the resolution or opposed it in a voice vote, meaning it unanimously passed.
After its passage, Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, said that while he believed Senate Democrats showed respect by letting Tomes present the NRA resolution, he felt he would be doing a disservice to Indiana by not saying something about gun violence.
“I take this opportunity to respectfully challenge us to start thinking about common-sense gun legislation while we can also celebrate those organizations that practice the same thing and protect everyone’s right to carry,†Taylor said. “We can still have both.
“We can work on sensible legislation to protect everybody and not just those who want to carry a firearm.â€
FOOTNOTE: Â Ashlyn Myers is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.Â
AGENDA FOR TODAYS BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSÂ SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSÂ SPECIAL MEETING
KEVIN WINTERNHEIMER CHAMBERSÂ ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023Â 12:00 NOON
 AGENDA
  CALL TO ORDER
   ROLL CALL FOR ATTENDANCE
  [NO APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM- Memos for the regular meeting of 4/5/23         Â
   and this special meeting will be approved at the regular meeting on 4/19/23]
   CONSENT AGENDA: NONE
   OLD BUSINESS: AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY
       Presentation by Steve Schaefer
       Public Comment
- As per past practice, comments are limited to 3 minutes.
- The Board asks that all comments be presented respectfully and that the commenters avoid repetition of points already made.
- Disruption or disorderly conduct will not be tolerated and will be cause for Expulsion from the meeting.
       Motion to award a contract to Arc Construction as the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. second
       Discussion by Board (only), including questions to (but not from) others; for example, request to Steve Schaefer or Jeff Justice for clarification or additional information Roll call vote
   NEW BUSINESS: NONE         Â
   REPORTS: NONEÂ
   ADJOURN
HILLTOPPERS RALLY TO SNAP UE ROAD WINNING STREAK, 6-2Â
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Western Kentucky University baseball team rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on Tuesday night to key a 6-2 victory over the visiting University of Evansville Purple Aces at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  The win snapped UE’s eight-game road winning streak, which was the longest in Division I baseball entering the night.
“It was really tough to get any offensive consistency going tonight with it being a staff day and seeing eight different pitchers,†said UE head coach Wes Carroll.  “But, that’s college baseball sometimes.  We had our chances tonight, but just couldn’t break through.  We just need to put this one behind us and be ready to go this weekend in Carbondale against Southern Illinois.â€
Evansville scored first in the top of the second inning, as senior third baseman Brent Widder led off the inning with a double, advanced to third base on a WKU error, and scored on a wild pitch to give UE a 1-0 lead.
The game would remain 1-0 through four innings, as graduate starter Eric Roberts, making his first collegiate start and first pitching appearance of the year, tossed three scoreless innings of one-hit baseball, and senior reliever Jakob Meyer worked around a lead-off double to toss a scoreless fourth inning.  But, the Hilltoppers would rally against Meyer (0-2) in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.
WKU outfielder Andrew Delany roped a one-out double to right-center field to tie the game at 1-1.  Then, after a walk to lead-off man Ty Crittenberger, a failed pick-off attempt, and a stolen base put two runners in scoring position, catcher Kirk Liebert delivered a two-run single to grab a 3-1 lead.
Widder would blast a one-out, solo home run over the bullpen in left field in the top of the sixth inning to trim the WKU lead to 3-2.  But, the Hilltoppers would add a run in the bottom of the sixth inning without the use of a hit to push the lead to 4-2.
Evansville would threaten in the eighth inning by loading the bases against WKU closer C.J. Weins on two walks and a hit-by-pitch, but Weins would bounce back with a strikeout on a pay-off pitch to get out of the jam.  Then, WKU plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI single by designated hitter Camden Ross and a throwing error on the play to produce the final margin of victory.
Widder had two of UE’s five hits with a double and home run.  Roberts also went 1-for-3 offensively with two walks.  Ross went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the way for WKU.
With the victory, WKU evens its record at 17-17 overall.  Evansville, meanwhile, falls to 19-13 overall.  The two teams will meet again next Tuesday in Evansville to conclude the home-and-home non-conference series.  Prior to that match-up, though, Evansville will travel to Carbondale, Illinois to battle first-place Missouri Valley Conference rival Southern Illinois in a three-game set.  The series will begin Friday night at 6 p.m., with Sunday’s series finale set for national coverage on ESPNU.
USI Romain College of Business receives extension of business accreditation from AACSB
The University of Southern Indiana Romain College of Business has received a five-year extension on its accreditation for its business programs from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the world’s largest and longest-serving accrediting body for business schools.
AACSB accreditation is considered the “gold standard†for business accreditation, and the Romain College of Business is among only 5.7% of business schools, globally, to have earned the accreditation.
“We were excited to learn we received the best outcome of an extension of AACSB accreditation for our business programs for five years, after a semester-long, intense peer-review process,†says Dr. Sudesh Mujumdar, Dean of the Romain College of Business. “This is a fine testament to the high-quality work of our world-class faculty, highly dedicated staff, superb students, and the highly supportive USI leadership, community partners and the USI Foundation.â€
USI achieved initial accreditation for its business programs in 1998. Achieving accreditation is a multi-year process of rigorous internal focus, engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor and peer-reviewed evaluation. Schools must develop and implement a plan to align with accreditation standards. These standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement.
“AACSB congratulates each institution on their achievement,†said Stephanie M. Bryant, Executive Vice Pand Chief Accreditation Officer of AACSB. “Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development and student learning. The intense peer-review process exemplifies their commitment to quality business education.â€
The Romain College of Business offers undergraduate programs in accounting, business administration, computer information systems, computer science, economics, finance, management and marketing as well as both a traditional and an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program, with the online MBA program having earned additional accolades of being ranked among the best online MBA programs by U.S. News and World Report for 2023 and 2022. The Romain College of Business also boasts a portfolio of four state-of-the-art laboratories which form the anchor of its value proposition—leveraging technology in unique ways to build market-leading competencies in a personalized, co-created learning environment.
THIS WEEK IN INDIANA HISTORY
April 9 – April 15This Week in Indiana History
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Indiana Quick Quiz1. Born April 14, 1931 in South Bend, Indiana, who starred in the TV show Days of Our Lives as Mickey? 2. What is Indiana’s state river? 3. What city in Indiana used to be called “Bethlehem” until 1874? 4. Born April 12, 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana, who hosted the late night TV show Late Night? Answers Below
Did You Know???We have new lapel pins you can purchase!
Answers1. John Clarke 2. Wabash 3. Carmel 4. David Letterman
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EPA Proposes New Standards to Protect Public Health
Proposals would slash Ethylene Oxide emissions by 80% per year, require stronger worker protections
WASHINGTON (April 11, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new health protections to reduce exposure to Ethylene Oxide (EtO), including more stringent air emissions standards and additional protections for workers who are exposed to the gas used to sterilize medical devices and certain spices. If finalized, EPA’s proposals are estimated to cut EtO emissions to the air from commercial sterilization facilities by 80% per year and apply more protective standards to control those emissions under the law. Together, these proposals will provide a comprehensive approach to addressing EtO pollution concerns, including cancer risk, that will increase safety in communities and for workers while providing a path to maintain a robust supply chain for sterilized medical equipment.
The proposal advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Cancer Moonshot and the Administration’s commitment to securing environmental justice and protecting public health, including for communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals.
“EPA’s number one priority is protecting people’s health and safety, and we are committed to taking decisive action that’s informed by the best available science,â€Â said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These proposals build on EPA’s extensive outreach to communities across the nation and reflects close coordination among key federal partners. Together they would significantly reduce worker and community exposure to harmful levels of ethylene oxide. EPA will continue to use every available tool to safeguard our nation’s communities, including workers, from exposure to toxic chemicals and to deliver important public health protections.â€
The two new proposals announced today mark significant progress as EPA continues to leverage the full range of its regulatory authority under the law to protect public health by reducing the risk posed by EtO. Long-term exposure to EtO over the course of a 35-year career or 70-year lifetime in or near a commercial sterilizer can increase the risk of certain types of cancer. People who go to school near places where EtO is used are also potentially at an elevated risk of cancer due to EtO levels in the air. Actual risks will vary based upon a facility’s control measures for workers and community members and the distance and amount of time people live, work, or go to school near a facility.
These proposals were informed by collaboration across the federal government to deliver risk reductions while maintaining critical sterilization capabilities, including consultation between EPA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The proposals include controls that many facilities are already using, and that EPA would apply nationwide. The Agency has also undertaken robust public engagement on this topic and will continue to provide the public, especially in impacted communities and workplaces, with access to the information they need to make informed, independent judgements about risk and to encourage public involvement in the regulatory process.
“OSHA’s mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers,â€Â said Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, “We will continue our partnership with EPA and other federal agencies to reduce risks for people who work every day to maintain our nation’s vital medical device supply chain.â€
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Reducing Air Emissions to Protect Communities
Under EPA’s Clean Air Act authority, the Agency is issuing a proposed rule outlining new requirements for 86 commercial sterilizers across the country. If finalized, the proposal would reduce EtO emissions from these facilities by 80%, bringing emission levels down so that risk falls below the EPA’s Clean Air Act benchmark for elevated cancer risk.
While many of these facilities have already taken steps to reduce emissions, the proposal will require all 86 facilities and any new facilities to comply with these stricter pollution controls, which have already proven to be effective and achievable. All commercial sterilizers will also be required to use advanced source monitoring methods to confirm that these pollution controls are operating effectively. Facilities would be required to report results to EPA twice per year. Under the proposal, facilities would be required to comply with these new requirements within 18 months. This represents an expedited timeline under EPA authority.
EPA’s proposal is informed by the latest data, science, and extensive outreach and takes full account of the important function of medical sterilization to provide a safe supply of medical devices for patients and hospitals. EPA required all commercial sterilizers to submit detailed information about EtO emissions and control technologies as part of a 2021 Information Collection Request. EPA used this data to estimate risk to people who live near these facilities. EPA also conducted extensive pre-proposal outreach in 2022, including community meetings and webinars, which supported state and local efforts to protect communities and generated information that informed and strengthened this proposal.
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In addition to new emissions standards, EPA is proposing a comprehensive set of new mitigation measures that will decrease risk for workers who use EtO to sterilize products and for other people in communities near sterilization facilities.
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA approves the use of pesticides subject to certain controls through a registration decision, including antimicrobial pesticides like EtO. EPA is now proposing to increase control measures on the use of EtO in the Proposed Interim Decision, such as:
- Prohibiting certain uses of EtO where alternatives exist including use in museums, archival settings, beekeeping, some cosmetics, and musical instruments;
- Reducing the amount of EtO that may be applied for medical device sterilization while meeting applicable standards for sterility assurance;
- Requiring engineering controls that reduce worker exposures to EtO, such as automation or emissions capture technology; and
- Mandating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in sterilization facilities when EtO is detected using state-of-the-art monitoring technology.
Some commercial sterilization facilities have already successfully implemented some of these measures, including reducing the amount of EtO used for sterilization and installing engineering controls that reduce worker and community exposures. EPA’s proposal would now require these measures nationwide to further protect workers at EtO commercial sterilization facilities and healthcare facilities and people in communities near these facilities. The proposal includes different timelines for controls depending on their complexity and feasibility. For example, workers can use respirators far more quickly than it takes to reengineer control systems.
EPA is proposing unprecedented real-time monitoring of EtO using technology that can accurately measure EtO within sterilization facilities down to 10 parts per billion (ppb). If levels surpass 10 ppb, workers would be required to wear PPE.  EPA is also instructing industry to develop technologies and methods to identify lower concentrations of EtO, below 10 parts per billion (ppb), inside contract sterilization facilities.
EPA’s proposal also includes new data collection and reporting requirements that would help identify and improve protective monitoring technologies and assess the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures. Based on this data, EPA intends to initiate the next round of registration review for EtO earlier than the mandated timeframe, including assessing these measures and incorporating additional protections based on advances in technology that occur.
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