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HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS
Vanderburgh County Health Department has canceled the COVID-19 vaccine clinic for TODAY
The Vanderburgh County Health Department has canceled the COVID-19 vaccine clinic for today February 18, 2021 due to inclement weather. All those who have appointments will be contacted through the Indiana Department of Health’s scheduling system. The VCHD will reschedule all appointments to a later date that will fit the schedule of those affected.
High Speed Crash on North Side Hospitalizes Four
A motor vehicle accident in northeastern Vanderburgh County sends four to the hospital with injuries, including one with critical injuries.
On Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 at 5:13pm, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputies and Indiana State Troopers, along with the McCutchanville Fire Department and Scott Township Fire Department, were dispatched to the intersection of SR 57/Kansas Rd for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Dispatch informed responding units that one motorist had been ejected from the vehicle and was unconscious in the roadway.
Deputies arrived on scene and located a red 1997 Mitsubishi 3000 GT, which had been completely severed in half. In the ditch, East of SR 57, Deputies also located a gray 2016 Toyota Sienna with heavy front end damage. In the roadway, next to the Mitsubishi, Deputies and members of STFD and MCFD located the driver breathing, but otherwise unresponsive on the pavement. The driver of the Mitsubishi was transported to Deaconess Midtown Hospital for serious, life threatening injuries. The driver and two occupants of the Toyota had complaints of back, neck, arm, and shoulder injuries sustained in the crash. They were also transported to Deaconess Midtown Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The preliminary investigation, corroborated by an independent witness, indicated that the Mitsubishi 3000 GT was traveling South on SR 57 at a high rate of speed. As the Mitsubishi approached the intersection of SR 57/Kansas Rd, the traffic control signal turned red. The Mitsubishi, in an effort to avoid the slowed/stopped traffic at the intersection, attempted to pass them in the right-hand turn lane. The vehicle encountered a small amount of snow in the turn lane and proceeded through the intersection, disregarding the red signal. The vehicle appeared to lose control, crossed the center line, and entered the North-bound lane of travel, where it was struck by the Toyota Sienna.
Due to the severity of the crash and the injuries related to it, this crash will remain under investigation, pending toxicology results and crash reconstruction. The names of the involved drivers and occupants will be released at a later time. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor at this time.
Braun Claims CBO Score Shows Democrats’ Wage Bill Will Kill Jobs
 A new cost estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows that Congressional Democrats’ new reconciliation bill will kill jobs and result in billions of dollars of unfunded mandates on employers.
Senators Braun, Burr, and Portman previously asked CBO to estimate the impact that wage mandates will have for the country. CBO’s February 8 analysis of the Raise the Wage Act, which was included in the budget reconciliation bill approved by House Education and Labor Democrats on February 9, contained no analysis of unfunded mandates, nor any mention of unfunded mandates.
CBO’s new analysis shows the budget reconciliation bill being pushed by Congressional Democrats contains both intergovernmental and private-sector mandates that are higher than the thresholds set by federal law. In fact, CBO estimates that by 2025—when minimum wage reaches $15 per hour under this bill—the additional annual cost to private-sector employers would be $45 billion. CBO added that “Those amounts do not account for employers’ possible responses to the higher minimum wage, which could include reducing hiring, altering the composition of the minimum-wage and non-minimum-wage workforce, or purchasing equipment that would be substitute for workers.â€Â
Congress enacted the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to “control, if not eliminate, the imposition of unfunded intergovernmental and private-sector mandates,†yet Congressional Democrats seem committed to pushing through job-killing provisions contained in the House reconciliation bills, and at the peril of the American worker.
“As a business owner I prided myself on paying high wages, and I know that a $15 federally-mandated minimum wage would be a straitjacket on the economy and kill well over a million jobs, especially in areas hardest hit by COVID-19 like restaurants,â€Â said Senator Braun. “What works for New York and California doesn’t work for Indiana, and Democrats should accept the findings of this nonpartisan cost estimate and abandon this job-killing bill that would stifle our economic recovery put more Americans out of work.â€Â Â
USI GWEP Leads Dementia Friendly Community Initiative In Southern Indiana
According to Dementia Friendly America®, more than 5 million Americans and 15 million caregivers are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The University of Southern Indiana’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) is launching an initiative to make southwestern Indiana more dementia friendly.
Two Hoosier cities, Petersburg and Rockport, will be recognized for joining the Dementia Friendly America (DFA) network of communities in an online program on Wednesday, February 24 for the general public and community stakeholders.
Lisa Fournier, Project Coordinator for the GWEP, said the virtual program, Your Community Matters: Let’s Talk about Dementia, is focused on Pike and Spencer counties, but anyone interested in improving lives of people living with dementia is welcome to attend. The free, virtual conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time on February 24, and participants can attend all or part of the event. Registration is required: http://bit.ly/YourCommunityMatters.
Interactive sessions will be held on a variety of topics related to dementia and caregiving, including how communities can be dementia friendly, how to become a Dementia Friend, legal and financial planning and advance care planning.
The Alzheimer’s Association and two Area Agencies on Aging (SWIRCA & More and Generations) are collaborating with the USI GWEP for the dementia friendly initiative. Goals are to convene key community leaders and members to understand how they can support the growing number of individuals with dementia and create action plans with specific objectives for their communities to become dementia friendly.
“It is an honor to be a part of this initiative and I am excited to see continued efforts to support members of our communities,†said Linda Wright, Community Transition Supervisor at SWIRCA & More, Area 16 Agency. “We have seen the effect that dementia has on those individuals living with dementia and their loved ones over the years. Being able to be a part of spreading awareness and support so that individuals can remain connected and be included in our communities is vitally important and we are grateful. Having Rockport designated as a Dementia Friendly Community is a result of what happens when a community pulls together to support their friends and neighbors.â€
Brenda Hancock, Community Resource Coordinator for Generations, Area 13 Agency, agreed that the designation is a group effort. “Generations is thrilled to be partnering with USI and the city of Petersburg to bring dementia education and awareness to the forefront of this community,†she said. “As someone who worked as a case manager for many years in Pike County, I am proud that Petersburg has been officially designated as a Dementia Friendly Community by Dementia Friendly America. I know that this town is up to the task of making their community a place where people living with dementia and their caregivers can flourish.â€
Petersburg and Rockport join Bloomington as the only three cities in Indiana with the DFA designation. There are also three counties/areas that are part of the DFA network: Hamilton County (central Indiana), Lawrence County (Bedford area) and East Central Indiana (12-county area including cities of Richmond and Muncie and the town of Liberty).
According to Dementia Friendly America, a dementia friendly community is “informed, safe and respectful of individuals with the disease, their families and caregivers and provides supportive options that foster quality of life.â€
“I am very excited to learn that Petersburg has been given the Dementia Friendly Community designation,†said Petersburg Mayor R.C. Klipsch. “The resources, support and educational information available for families and caregivers will be greatly appreciated. I am sure our community will support this initiative and join together to assist in any way that we can.â€
In 2019, USI received a five-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to implement the GWEP. The dementia friendly effort is just one part of the GWEP, which is also focused on developing a workforce to maximize patient and family engagement and integrating geriatrics into primary care.
To register for the free, online event on February 24, Your Community Matters: Let’s Talk about Dementia, please visit: http://bit.ly/YourCommunityMatters
This project is supported by the University of Southern Indiana’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Proud partners are the University of Southern Indiana, Deaconess Clinic, Generations and SWIRCA & More.
Tax Professionals Tax Scam: EFINs
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| The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) would like to alert tax professionals about a tax scam reported by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This scam is sent through email and impersonates the IRS in an attempt to steal Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs).
The Scam Email Message Reads: “In order to help protect both you and your clients from unauthorized/fraudulent activities, the IRS requires that you verify all authorized e-file originators prior to transmitting returns through our system. That means we need your EFIN (e-file identification number) verification and Driver’s license before you e-file. Please have a current PDF copy or image of your EFIN acceptance letter (5880C Letter dated within the last 12 months) or a copy of your IRS EFIN Application Summary, found at your e-Services account at IRS.gov, and Front and Back of Driver’s License emailed in order to complete the verification process. Email: (fake email address) If your EFIN is not verified by our system, your ability to e-file will be disabled until you provide documentation showing your credentials are in good standing to e-file with the IRS. The IRS has advised anyone who receives this email scam to save the email as a file and send as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov. They also should notify the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.tigta.gov to report this scam. |
INDIANA HOUSE DEMOCRATS ATTEMPT TO AMEND STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET
INDIANA HOUSE DEMOCRATS ATTEMPT TO AMEND STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET WITH 2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Proposals include support for teachers, traditional K-12 schools and pre-k, public health, working families and small businesses
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana House Democratic Caucus today introduced amendments to the state biennial budget aimed at supporting teachers, traditional K-12 schools and pre-k, public health, working families and small businesses. Amid a global pandemic, the Republican supermajority voted down each proposal with no alternative solutions to provide additional funding to the bedrock of the Hoosier State.
Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) pitched a blueprint for a better Indiana at the beginning of the 2021 Legislative Session. During his speech on Organization Day, GiaQuinta noted that the issues we face today are no different than the ones Hoosiers have faced for the last few decades. Instead, Indiana’s quality of life issues in areas of education, health and economic inequality have only been magnified by the impacts of a global pandemic.
“For the past few years I’ve talked about the need to invest in Indiana’s human capital. Now that our state is embroiled in a global pandemic, it’s even more critical than ever. Instead of creating new line-items for vague future capital projects and an even fuzzier regional recovery program, House Democrats are focused on the priorities that will help Hoosiers in need now. We want to ensure that local public schools get the funding they need, give Hoosier educators the overdue pay raises they deserve, help Hoosiers struggling with mental health issues and build up the state’s public health infrastructure so we’re better prepared for the next public health crisis. Budgets are about priorities, and I think House Democrats have the right priorities.”
 Support For Teachers
 Teacher Pay Raise.
(Authored by State Representative Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis)
Amendment 7 to House Bill 1001 would increase educator wages with teacher retention bonus matching grants.
“Hoosier educators are regularly asked to do more and more without any significant wage increase,” DeLaney said. “Often, they are doing more at their own expense. Educators have been unsung heroes, especially throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, but heroism does not pay the bills. Hoosier Republicans say they want to address our teacher pay problem in interviews and on the campaign trail, but vote down every proposal to do it. Indiana has not seen teacher salaries reflecting both national averages and rates of inflation since the GOP took complete control of state government in 2010. We must do better.”
The proposal was voted down 68-29 on the House floor.
Support for Traditional K-12 Schools
 $300 million tuition support restoration.
(Authored by State Representative Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis)
Amendment 1 to House Bill 1001 would rectify the approximately $300 million debt the State of Indiana owes public schools and students from recession budget cuts.
“An investment in traditional K-12 schools is an investment in Indiana’s progress and prosperity,” Porter said. “Hoosier public schools are losing ground each session as the Republican supermajority diverts funding to charter and voucher schools. Restoring nearly $300 million in cuts made by Governor Mitch Daniels during the economic recession would have been a significant step forward.”
FOOTNOTE: The proposal was voted down 62-28 on the House floor.
 Support for Pre-K
 $100 Million Increase For Pre-K Programs.
(Authored by State Representative Terri Austin (D-Anderson)
Amendment 19 to House Bill 1001 appropriates an extra $100 million ($50 million per year) to the existing pre-k program.
“The benefits of pre-k in this state have been proven time and time again,” Austin said. “The program provides a stable foundation for young children and helps them develop essential learning and developmental skills. I’m disappointed that the Republican budget abandons Hoosier youth by refusing to allocate any new money for expanding opportunities to working families who need the assistance now more than ever.”
The proposal was voted down 70-28 on the House floor.
Support for Public Health
 Public Health Investments.
(Authored by State Representative Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis)
Amendment 24 to House Bill 1001 strides to improve Indiana’s abysmal public health statistics with investments in the following: creating a doula and prescription drug rebate program; local health departments; C.H.O.I.C.E. in-home services; tax amnesty for minority health; and implementing a state health care exchange.
“Indiana consistently ranks in the bottom of the nation when it comes to health and wellness,” Shackleford said. “Now we are in the midst of a pandemic that feeds off of Indiana’s failures, like our obesity and tobacco use rates. By properly funding local health departments and programs like doula services and in-home care services, we are empowering Hoosiers to take charge of their health and seek care when they need it.”
The proposal was voted down 68-29 on the House floor.
Support for Working Families
 Minimum Wage Increase.
(Authored by State Representative Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis)
Amendment 21 to House Bill 1001 ties the minimum wage and any future increases to legislator salaries. It would be based on the annual salary of a state legislator divided by 2,080 hours for an hourly wage of $13.07. Currently, the minimum wage in Indiana is $7.25 and a living wage is $14.07.
“We are public servants, and we have gotten increases while Hoosiers try to make ends meet on a dismal $7.25 that was deemed livable 10 years ago,” Pryor said. “That amount is barely $15,000 a year. Hoosiers should not have to work multiple jobs to keep the lights on, have a roof over their heads and put food on their tables. Those are basic rights, and if one job doesn’t pay for that, then we are not doing our job at the Statehouse.”
The proposal was voted down 66-28 on the House floor.
Student Loan Debt Relief.
(Authored by State Representative Earl Harris, Jr. (D-East Chicago)
Amendment 17 to House Bill 1001 would have created the Student Loan Relief Grant. The grant would have assisted low-income Hoosiers with more than $5,000 in student loan debt in repaying their student loans.
“While our state continues to see a downward trend in overall college enrollment, 21st Century Scholars are consistently beating that trend and enrolling at higher rates,” Harris said. “Financial support, like scholarships, empower students to pursue higher education by easing the massive financial burden that comes with a degree. The Student Loan Relief Grant would be another opportunity for Indiana to support our students by assisting low-income Hoosiers in repaying their student loans. Our students deserve to be rewarded for their achievements, not punished.”
The proposal was voted down 67-29 on the House floor.
 Support for Small Business Support
Small Business Sales Tax Rebate.
(Authored by State Representative Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville)
Amendment 25 to House Bill 1001 allows eligible small businesses to receive up to $5,000 in sales tax relief.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, as well as our economy,” Hatfield said. “I have seen too many mom and pop shops close their doors in my neighborhood and I know that’s taking a toll on Hoosier families. One in five restaurants have closed in Indiana amid the pandemic, and countless more are hanging by a thread. The state has ample means to provide much needed sales tax relief, so let’s get these small businesses the help they deserve to weather the rest of this pandemic.”
FOOTNOTE: The proposal was voted down 66-29 on the House floor.
Work Share.
(Authored by State Representative Ryan Hatfield (D-Evansville)
Amendment 25 to House Bill 1001 would establish a work share program for the state, which is a voluntary and cost-effective alternative to traditional unemployment benefits.
“The fact that this remains an untouched resource for Hoosiers is inexcusable,” Hatfield said. “We are pouring federal money down the drain every year we don’t tap into a workshare opportunity in our state and I think unemployed Hoosiers would greatly appreciate our efforts to rectify this. By not adopting a work share program, Indiana is turning its back on saving thousands of jobs and at least $100 million in free federal money.”
FOOTNOTE: The proposal was voted down 66-29 on the House floor.
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Tanner Craig Named Preseason All-MVC
Craig becomes first Ace since 2017 to earn honor
University of Evansville junior first baseman Tanner Craig continues to garner preseason honors as Craig was named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team, it was announced in a release by the conference office on Wednesday morning.
Craig becomes the first Ace to earn preseason MVC honors since Trey Hair was named to The Valley’s preseason team in 2017.
The honor follows a shortened 2020 campaign in which Craig put in a monster performance in 16 games. Craig led the team in home runs (7), OPS (1.238), runs (10), hits (20), RBI (19), total bases (44), slugging percentage (.759), walks (13), and on-base percentage (.479), while finishing second on the team in batting average (.345). Craig was named to Collegiate Baseball’s National Players of the Week, MVC Player of the Week, and to the MVC Scholar-Athlete team in 2020 and has already been named to the 2021 Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award watch list and PerfectGame.com MVC Preseason team.
Evansville opens its season this weekend with a four-game set at SEC foe Georgia, beginning with the season-opener on Friday at 6 PM in Athens, Ga.
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