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LaRue Joins USI Baseball Staff
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Baseball Head Coach Tracy Archuleta announced hiring of Seth LaRue as an assistant coach in 2022-23. LaRue will be the USI recruiting coordinator and work with the Screaming Eagle hitters.
“Getting Seth LaRue on staff is a grand slam for our program,” said Archuleta. “Seth brings Division I experience to our staff that will be a huge help during our transition.
“I’ve known Seth for 15 years and have witnessed him make his teammates better as a player and shown the same ability as a coach,” continued Archuleta. “He has three years of experience as a recruiting coordinator and has had numerous MLB draft picks.
“Bringing Seth back to his hometown of Evansville is just a bonus. His ability to develop players and his passion for his hometown and USI will truly be a spark for our program,” concluded Archuleta.
LaRue returns to his native Evansville after spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi (2020-22). He was the recruiting coordinator and the daily hitting instructor for the Islanders.
Prior to arriving at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, LaRue spent three seasons at Southern Illinois University (2017-19) as the assistant coach. He was responsible for hitting, base running and in-game offense. SIU stole 375 bases in his three seasons at SIU, fourth most among all Division I teams during that span.
In 2016, LaRue was the graduate assistant for the Campbell University baseball team following his playing days with the Fighting Camels, helping run day-to-day operations for the program and assisting with summer camps.
LaRue, who earned his bachelor’s in exercise and sports science and master’s in business administration from Campbell, is the son of former USI Screaming Eagles baseball player and assistant coach Mark LaRue.
What Does The Elimination Of 1% Utility Receipts Tax Mean For Hoosiers?
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What Does The Elimination Of 1% Utility Receipts Tax Mean For Hoosiers?
INDIANAPOLIS—As new state laws went into effect at the start of the month, Hoosiers are still getting adjusted to some of the changes, including those involving state taxes.
House Enrolled Act 1002 was passed as a way to make broad cuts to Indiana’s business and individual income taxes, potentially cutting over $1 billion a year.
Within the new law is the repeal of a utility receipts tax, which went into effect July 1.
The utility receipts tax was first imposed in 2006 on the retail consumption of utility services in Indiana—including electricity, natural gas, water, steam, sewage and telephone bills. According to the Indiana Department of Revenue, “The 2022 tax year will be the last filing period for Utility Receipts Tax.â€
“Overall, customers can expect a rate decrease of approximately 1.4% on their bills because of this repeal,†said Stephanie Hodgin, deputy director of communications and media for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). The IURC regulates various aspects of the utility business, including rates, financing, bonding, environmental compliance plans and service territories.
While Republicans view the repeal as a positive for Hoosiers, Democrats fear it could have negative impacts.
“Republicans pitched the utility receipts tax repeal as a win for Hoosier families, but the reality is this will only save families a few dollars on each bill and at maximum less than $100 in relief annually,†said Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, in a press release. “The real winners of this policy are large corporations and manufacturers who will receive thousands of dollars in tax relief annually.â€
According to Porter, the repeal creates an unfair balance due to the difference in amount of money that 1% tax cut has on Hoosiers and well-funded corporations.
“For example, if someone’s utility tax bill is around $150 a month, that 1% is only bringing them $1.50 in relief. However, for a multimillion dollar corporation that spends $200,000 on the tax, that’s $2,000 for them and that’s huge,†Porter told TheStatehouseFile.com.
“Hoosier families have lost a $120 million stable revenue source through the elimination of this tax forever. That funding could have been used to support childcare or elder care initiatives, student loan debt relief or closing Indiana’s health disparities gap.â€
Neither the author of HEA 1002, Rep. Tim Brown, R-Crawfordsville, nor its co-author, Rep. Chris Judy, R-Fort Wayne, could be reached for comment.
However, House Republicans argue that inflation makes the new overall tax package key to keeping Indiana competitive and feel that any amount of money saved should be considered a win for Hoosiers.
“The world economy is moving toward advanced technology manufacturing, and Indiana needs to be in a position to attract such employers,†said Rep. Jack Jordan, R-Bremen, in a quote from WISH-TV 8.
Republicans say the money saved for Hoosiers could be spent on taxable items that then would help build the state’s economy.
“Look, in inflationary times, every dollar matters right now,†House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, told WISH-TV 8. “When you’re going to the grocery store and you’re spending more than you’ve ever spent before for basic items, when you’re spending more at the gas pump than you’ve ever spent before, $120, $150, any amount of dollars is better.”Ryus
FOOTNOTE: Moore is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Ryus Moore is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Vanderburgh County Lawmakers Highlight New Indiana Laws Now In Effect
STATEHOUSE (July 12, 2022) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers said Hoosiers should be aware of several new and notable state laws, which are now in effect.
“Whether it’s protecting the sanctity of life or giving parents a voice in their children’s education, we continued to fight hard for Hoosier families,” said State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka). “These new laws reflect our desire to listen to the people and represent their interests at the Statehouse.”
Hoosiers should be aware of several new laws, which were passed during the 2022 legislative session and took effect on July 1:
When it comes to education, input and ideas from parents, students, teachers, and community members are important. Now, school boards will have to allow time for public comments at all open meetings, ensuring parents’ voices are heard.
“Our education system works best when it engages everyone from the community,” said State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), author of the law. “Over the last year, we saw some school boards in other areas of the state shut down public discussion. That’s unacceptable. Parents deserve a seat at the table when it comes to decisions being made about their child’s education. This new law is meant to empower parents and ensure they have opportunities to speak up.”
Indiana will double its number of election audits after each general election. All Indiana electronic voting machines will be required to be equipped with a voter-verifiable paper audit trail by the 2024 election. Every voter will be able to verify their ballot on a printout before casting their vote. This step will offer assurances that electronically recorded votes are accurate. O’Brien co-authored this law.
To improve outcomes for troubled youth, a new juvenile justice oversight body, created by this new law, will begin crafting a plan for nonviolent juvenile offenders to receive counseling for mental health and behavioral issues rather than being incarcerated or placed in detention. The oversight body will also develop ways for youth offenders to be screened and connected to resources to reduce their likelihood of reoffending. The body will also make funding recommendations to be considered in the next legislative session.
“This ongoing work to create better outcomes for Hoosier youth will have a tremendous impact on our communities,” said State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville), author of the law. “Nonviolent youth who commit minor offenses should no longer be locked up. We can instead connect them to programs to get them on the right track.”
Young victims of traumatic and certain violent crimes will be able to submit a video statement for court procedures to protect them from further harm. Penalties against human traffickers will be enhanced and public safety efforts will be strengthened to prevent human trafficking crimes. McNamara sponsored this law.
Indiana will join 18 other states that provide protection to women and their unborn babies from coerced abortions. A person who coerces a pregnant woman to terminate their pregnancy could be charged with a felony, and abortion clinics will be held accountable if they fail to report coercion to law enforcement.
Water Filtration Plant Switchgear Refurbishment Scheduled July 18
EVANSVILLE, IND. – Starting on July 18, 2022, Evansville Water and Sewer Utility will begin refurbishing the main switchgear at the Water Filtration Plant. The switchgear is a series of electrical components that provide power to operate the water facility. This project phase is expected to take approximately one week to complete.
During this electrical system renewal, the Water Filtration Plant will receive its power from temporary diesel generators. There is a slight chance some customers located closest to the Water Filtration Plant could recognize a small, temporary water pressure reduction during the transitions from the normal electrical grid to generators and back to the grid.
The vast majority of customers will not notice any fluctuation in water pressure. However, the Utility wants customers to be aware of the system upgrade if the water pressure reduction is encountered during these temporary transition periods next week.
The switchgear needs to be refurbished now because of the age and condition of the equipment. The upgrade will keep the plant running more reliably while EWSU begins the process of building a new water treatment plant.
Attorney General Todd Rokita Defends Liberty In Education With Third Installment Of Parents’ Bill Of Rights Â
Attorney General Todd Rokita today released the third volume of the Parents’ Bill of Rights — this time focusing on school choice, the liberty of parents to choose where their children attend school.
“It is a parent’s sacred duty to raise their children according to their values. Above all others, parents are the ones best suited to make decisions on their children’s behalf, including the schools they attend,†Attorney General Rokita said. “I will always fight for parents’ fundamental and constitutional rights to direct the upbringing and education of their children.â€
Among other things, the latest installment of the Parents’ Bill of Rights outlines laws and processes enabling parents to:
- enroll students in private schools through Indiana’s school choice programs;
- transfer students from one public school to another; or
- homeschool.
Indiana has one of the most robust school choice programs in the country, with over 35,000 students receiving Choice Scholarships in 2021.
“In addition to making sure parents are well-informed of their rights,†Attorney General Rokita said, “I will continue advocating for legislation that puts the needs and interests of parents and students ahead of other entrenched forces such as teachers’ unions.â€
Last session, the Indiana General Assembly passed into law two proposals supported by Attorney General Rokita — one requiring public comment be allowed at school board meetings and another protecting biological females participating in girls’ sports.
The Parents’ Bill of Rights continues to highlight for parents and taxpayers areas in which they may find gaps and omissions in state law. Future legislative priorities could include measures 1) requiring schools to make curriculum available for parents to view and 2) prohibiting curriculum that teaches the concept that people should be treated differently solely because of their race, religion, sex, or other characteristics.
Attorney General Rokita released the first volume of his Parents’ Bill of Rights in June 2021. That installment focused on school governance, curriculum adoption, standards adoption, and civil rights complaints.
The second volume, released in November 2021, detailed parents’ rights regarding medical decisions for their children, such as access to student health records, vaccination requirements, and educational accommodations.
The third and latest volume is now online at Attorney General Rokita’s website.
A fourth installment is also in the works. It will cover religious liberty in schools, making clear that students have a right to practice their faith inside the schoolhouse gates.
Tri-State Orthopaedics Makes Major Commitment To Women’s Sports
Tri-State Orthopaedics Makes Major Commitment To Women’s Sports
UE Announces Softball Renovation Project
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Led by a major financial commitment from Tri-State Orthopaedics, the University of Evansville formally announced a renovation to its softball facility that is set to feature close to $1 million in facility enhancements.
Through these improvements, Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James & Dorothy Cooper Stadium will be one of the most impressive facilities in the Missouri Valley Conference while rivaling any in the entire Midwest.
“We are thrilled to solidify our continued long-term relationship with the University of Evansville through the softball branding. We support Title IX and what an opportunity to assist the University in strengthening the women’s facility,†Tri-State Orthopaedics Chief Executive Officer Phil Rawley exclaimed. “Over the years, we’ve expanded our services to meet the needs of the student-athletes, coaches, and the residents of Evansville and that mission continues!â€
Renovations To The Facility Include:
- State-of-the-art artificial turf playing surface from AstroTurf
- Regrading of the playing surface
- Reconfiguration and upgrade of the pitching and hitting areas
- Padded walls for the entire stadium
- Dugout renovations
“On behalf of the University of Evansville, our athletics department and the softball program, I want to thank Tri-State Orthopaedics for their generosity in making this dream a reality. They do so much for our student-athletes and their commitment to this project strengthens that relationship,†UE Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “ Ziggy†Siegfried said. “Enhancing the student-athlete experience while creating championship-caliber facilities are two of our main goals and this checks all the boxes. Our goal with each of our programs is to win the Missouri Valley Conference and this moves us even closer to that goal.â€
“Another important aspect of this project is the impact it will have on the Evansville community. The ability to host tournaments and events at our facility will bring about multiple positives for our city.â€
Evansville is set to be the only on-campus facility in the Missouri Valley Conference with a completely turfed infield and outfield. The hitting and pitching cages will also be turfed, providing practice and warm-up opportunities.
“I want to thank Tri-State Orthopaedics for helping make our dream of having the best facility in the Midwest a reality,†UE head softball coach Mat Mundell exclaimed. “Not only will this give us a competitive advantage in recruiting but the city of Evansville will be able to watch their Aces play more games at home.â€
ABOUT TRI-STATE ORTHOPAEDICS
Tri-State Orthopaedics was founded in 1949 by Dr. John H. Sterne and Dr. Henry Leibundguth, and has grown into the largest orthopedic practice of its kind in the Evansville, Indiana area. Their 30 physicians, advanced practice providers, and their affiliated staff carry on their Founders’ commitment to and reputation for excellence, providing specialized orthopedic care for patients all across the tri-state.
ABOUT ASTROTURF
AstroTurf will be completing its second project at UE. In 2019, the company was chosen to complete the turf project at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium. AstroTurf was the first brand of artificial turf on the market. First pioneered in 1964 and used in 1965 at the Astrodome on the world’s first indoor baseball game, we’ve seen it all. An industry fixture and the brand leader for cutting–edge synthetic turf technology, AstroTurf has earned a sterling reputation for warranty performance and client trust.