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Key Committee Supports McNamara’s Bill Helping Students impacted By Pandemic

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Key Committee Supports McNamara’s Bill Helping Students impacted By Pandemic

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 29, 2021) – State Rep. Wendy McNamara’s (R-Evansville) legislation that would establish the Student Learning Recovery Grant Program to help students experiencing learning loss due to the pandemic advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee.

According to McNamara, students transitioning back and forth between e-learning and classroom learning are likely to experience some form of learning loss. McNamara’s proposal would create a $150 million grant program to provide individuals or organizations resources to help students who have fallen behind in class, scored below academic standards or are at risk of falling behind.

“We want to ensure all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” McNamara said. “This grant program is designed to close learning gaps created by the pandemic, and connect students with tools and resources to catch up to their peers. While the steps schools have taken over the last year have been necessary to keep our children and educators safe, we must now work to ensure students catch up and get ahead.”

McNamara said many students experience some form of learning loss after summer break, but most are typically able to relearn forgotten lessons quickly. However, a recent study completed by Stanford’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes, shows the average Indiana student lost 129 days of reading knowledge and 209 days of math knowledge as a result of COVID-19 disruptions.

Program criteria for grants would be determined by the Indiana Department of Education, along with the State Board of Education. McNamara said applying organizations, which could include local schools, colleges or universities, community or philanthropic organizations, and prospective, current and retired educators, would be required to submit a plan detailing the programs that would supplement a student’s regular coursework. The DOE would be responsible for overseeing the grant program.

Visit iga.in.gov for more information on House Bill 1008. This legislation now moves the full Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration.

 

Gov. Holcomb Signs COVID-19 Executive Orders

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Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed Executive Order 21-02 to adjust the targeted restrictions for counties that have high levels of COVID-19.

He also signed Executive Order 21-03 to extend the public health emergency an additional 30 days.

“We are not out of the woods. The steps we have been taking to reduce the spread must continue, especially wearing a face covering and maintaining social distancing,” Gov. Holcomb said. “As we’ve experienced before, trends that look promising can shift very quickly, and we will continue to monitor what is happening with positivity, deaths, and cases per capita, as we have done since the start of the pandemic.”

The Indiana Department of Health has established a color-coded county map that measures weekly cases per 100,000 residents and the seven-day positivity rate for all tests completed. Each county is assigned a color based on the average scores for the two metrics. Restrictions are assigned based on the map, which is updated each Wednesday at www.coronavirus.in.gov.

Click here for an in-depth description of the requirements for all Hoosiers and targeted restrictions for counties: https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Feb-1-to-Feb-28-Coronavirus-Response-Requirements.pdf

Among the adjusted requirements are:

Red: The county has very high positivity and community spread. When a county is in the Red metric, these requirements remain in effect until the metric has returned to Orange or lower for two weeks.

  • The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 25 people.
  • If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 25 percent of a facility capacity.

Orange: The county’s community spread is approaching high levels. These requirements are in effect when a county reaches the Orange metric and remain until a county moves to Yellow or Blue for two straight weeks.

  • The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 50 people.
  • If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 25 percent of a facility capacity.

Yellow: The county has moderate community spread. These requirements are in effect when a county reaches the Yellow metric and remain until a county moves to Blue for two straight weeks.

  • The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 100 people.
  • If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 50 percent of a facility capacity.

Blue: The county has low community spread.

  • The overall size of a social gathering or event is strongly recommended to be limited to 250 people.
  • If the venue owners, hosts or organizers have a written safety plan submitted to the local health department, social gatherings and events are limited to 100 percent of a facility capacity.

Face coverings are required for all Hoosiers. Businesses of all types are required to place clearly visible signs at their public and employee entrances notifying all that face coverings are required.

All customers in restaurants and bars are required to be seated. Tables, counters, or other seating arrangements must be spaced six feet apart.

Executive Order 21-02 goes into effect Monday and runs until Sunday, Feb. 28. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.

Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/governor-holcomb/newsroom/executive-orders/

CollegeChoice 529 Savings Surpass $6 Billion

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Treasurer of State Kelly Mitchell announced that assets in the state’s tax-advantaged CollegeChoice 529 education savings plans have surpassed $6 billion, an increase of more than $3.1 billion since her tenure began in November 2014.

To date, over 397,000 accounts have been established, with an average account balance of $15,000. CollegeChoice 529 assists in reducing future generations’ education debt by offering incentive-driven savings options for parents and students. Education debt is one of the most significant issues facing Americans today. Outstanding student loan debt in Indiana held by approximately 875,000 Hoosiers is estimated at $28.7 billion.

“With CollegeChoice 529, we’ve created a flexible option for education savings, and the program’s family-friendly tax credit has appealed to so many Hoosier families, yielding excellent results,” said Treasurer Mitchell. “Hoosiers, now more than ever, are choosing to break the education debt cycle by saving in a 529. As we strive to make the next generation more prepared to compete in the global economy, every dollar saved today is one less dollar that needs to be borrowed later.”

CollegeChoice 529 enables account owners and gift contributors to save for a beneficiary’s education at any eligible school. Accounts can grow tax-free as long as the money is withdrawn to pay for qualified higher education expenses like tuition, room and board, books, computers and fees.

Indiana taxpayers may also be eligible for an annual state income tax credit of 20 percent of contributions to CollegeChoice 529 accounts, worth up to $1,000 each year.

“We know that education and investing are not ‘one-size-fits-all,'” said Marissa Rowe, Executive Director of the program. “That’s why you have a choice in Indiana. We offer three plans – Direct, Advisor, and CD, so you can find the option that works best for your family. Whether you’re thinking about graduate school, technical training, a four- year college, or an eligible apprenticeship program, you can start saving today with as little as $10.”

 

For more information, interested Hoosiers can visit www.collegechoicedirect.com/plans.

 

A DELICATE BALANCE

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A DELICATE BALANCE

GAVEL GAMUT By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

Five-foot, four inch tall “Little Jimmy”, James Madison, Jr. (1751-1836), applied his gigantic intellect to melding the Natural Law theory of John Locke (1632-1704) and the Separation of Powers theory of Charles Montesquieu (1689-1755) into the Constitution of the United States. Locke and Montesquieu postulated that all things being equal no person should harm another in his/her life, liberty, health or possessions. They, along with Madison, also believed that every person who has power is apt to abuse it. Therefore, governments are necessary to keep individual power in check but the power of government must also be kept in check.

According to Edgar Bodenheimer (1908-1991) in his treatise on jurisprudence:

“The basic idea of the American Declaration of Independence as well as the Bill of Rights is the recognition of the natural and inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property, as conceived by Locke, while the main body of the United States Constitution is a practical application of Montesquieu’s doctrine of separation of powers. The connection between these two doctrines in the American government is made by the theory of judicial review. The United States Supreme Court has held that, in order to guarantee the enforcement of natural rights, the power to make laws must be separated not only from the power to execute laws, but also from the power to review laws with their regard to their conformity with higher principles, as recognized by the United States Constitution. Thus, in the United States the courts, and especially the United States Supreme Court, have assumed guardianship over natural law.”

See Bodenheimer, Jurisprudence at p. 146

This separation of powers has served America well since 1789. As is to be expected in matters as complex as government and politics the powers of the three branches have each waxed and waned from time to time. However, we have always managed to keep our democracy by remaining moored to the rock upon which it was founded. Just as our founders recognized that individuals and governments will abuse power unless checked, they also recognized the danger and guarded against any of the three branches having unfettered power. The wisdom of Madison, et. al., is once again being tested. Has the Executive Branch gone outside its traces and incited violence against the Legislative Branch? Has the Legislative Branch blurred the boundaries that should keep all three branches separate by both charging an impeachment and then filling the role of the Judicial Branch by having one of its own members serve as the presiding officer at the trial? And, has the Judicial Branch been marginalized because the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will not be serving as the neutral and detached trial judge as designed by our Founders.

For as Bodenheimer points out, “Any abuse of its power by the legislature should be curbed by the Judiciary Branch of the government, to which falls the duty of declaring void all statutes which are repugnant to the Constitution.” See Bodenheimer, Jurisprudence, at page 148. Perhaps Chief Justice John Roberts and the rest of the Supreme Court are anticipating being confronted with such an issue later.

The crimes that were committed on January 06, 2021 are being investigated and several alleged perpetrators have already been identified and charged. Numerous others will and should be. America’s normal criminal justice system can fairly and efficiently provide due process to those involved. If Donald Trump committed any state or federal crimes either on or before January 06, 2021 he can be prosecuted separately from the impeachment. And if a pardon is considered it would cover only federal offenses. 

In our current test of our charter’s application, the Legislative Branch has filed an article impeaching the head of the Executive Branch, former President Donald Trump. It is alleged he engaged in: 

“[H]igh crimes and Misdemeanors by inciting violence against the Government of the United States” on January 06, 2021 and for in the months preceding January 06, 2021 repeatedly issuing false statements asserting that the Presidential election results were the product of widespread fraud and should not be accepted by the America people or certified by State or Federal officials.

The Article of Impeachment was returned against President Donald Trump on January 13, 2021 while he was still the acting President. On January 25, 2021 after Donald Trump’s term had ended, the Article of Impeachment was sent to the Senate for trial. The Senate has set the trial to begin February 09, 2021 with Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat from Vermont, to preside and the senators to serve as jurors.

Article I, Section Three, of the U.S. Constitution provides that in the trial of the President of the United States the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. For reasons not yet fully explained, Chief Justice John Roberts will not be involved, so only two of our three equal branches of government will be embroiled in this matter of grave national concern. It is suggested that this is because Donald Trump is no longer President. However, that does not take into consideration the bed rock reason why the Founders made it mandatory for the Judicial Branch to be involved.

The impact of this omission upon public confidence in the fairness of the process is worthy of consideration. After all, it is not Donald Trump’s fate that is most important, but the country’s faith in the process that determines that fate. However, this faith might be shaken by a trial where the role of a “neutral and detached magistrate” is filled by a member of the body that both files and prosecutes the charge. Symbolism is important and a level scales of justice is one of our nation’s most potent and delicately balanced symbols.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

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Ivy Tech Community College Announces MLK Essay Contest Winners

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Evansville, Ind..- Winners of the Ivy Tech Evansville Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Doing the Dream 2021 Essay Contest have been selected.

  • Payton Watkins of North High School is the winner in the High School category
  • Hannah Robinson of Ivy Tech is the winner in the College category. 

Both recipients will receive a $500 Ivy Tech Scholarship.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day essay contest, is an annual event through the Ivy Tech Evansville Diversity, Equity and Belonging Council. Entrants were asked to submit a 5

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD REPORT

ADOPT A PET

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Sheba is a 3-year-old female mixed-breed! She has previously lived with dogs, cats, AND kids. She’s also pottytrained! Her adoption fee is $150 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and heartworm test. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt for details!

 

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

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Executive Assistant / Program
Be Strong Families, NFP – United States
$45,000 – $55,000 a year
Remote work available
Be Strong Families is seeking an extremely intelligent, fast-paced, loyal, self-possessed, experienced, executive training assistant to provide high-level…
Easily apply
Jan 25
Administrative Assistant
OneMain Financial Services 3.3/5 rating – Evansville, IN
$16 – $18 an hour
This role is responsible for organizing and coordinating administration duties and office procedures. Our comprehensive benefits package for full-time and some…
Easily apply
Jan 27
Office Assistant – Bellemeade Family Physicians – Full-Time, Days
Ascension 3.7/5 rating – Evansville, IN
Vincent Ascension healthcare teams are committed to getting to know our patients. We take time for real back-and-forth conversations with our patients, so we…
Jan 28
Medical Office Assistant – Endocrinology
Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating – Evansville, IN
We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our talented staff of health care professionals as we continue to grow to be the preferred, regional…
Jan 28
Supplemental Scheduling Specialist Level 1
Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating – Evansville, IN
We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our talented staff of health care professionals as we continue to grow to be the preferred, regional…
Jan 28
Office Manager/Collection Manager
AUTO NOW INCORPORATED – Evansville, IN
$15 – $25 an hour
We have an immediate opening for Office Manager/Collection Manager. Qualifying candidate will possess the following: Ability to complete tasks on time.
Easily apply
Jan 28
Administrative Assistant
ThoughtFire – Evansville, IN
$10 – $20 an hour
Remote work available
318 Main Street, Suite 101. This role will be performed primarily out of ThoughtFire’s headquarters in downtown Evansville, IN. Review email on a regular basis;
Easily apply
Jan 25
Administrative Coordinator
Hubbell Incorporated 3.3/5 rating – Saint Joseph, IN
Able to work additional hours to meet business demands. Hubbell Incorporated is seeking Administrative Coordinator. Perform administrative duties to include:
Easily apply
Jan 24
Receptionist / Operator
Atlas World Group Inc. – Evansville, IN
Atlas Van Lines is comprised of a family of companies that deliver transportation and related services globally through a network of quality agents and select…
Jan 26
Front Desk Medical Receptionist | Full Time
ProRehab 3.9/5 rating – Evansville, IN
We offer outstanding benefits including a 401k with a 4% match, outstanding health/dental/vision coverage, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO plan with…
Jan 25
Therapy Front Desk Medical Office Receptionist
Tri-State Orthopaedic Surgeons – Evansville, IN
Flexibility to work between the hours of 6:30am and 6:30pm, as well as some Saturdays. Therapy Front Desk Medical Office Receptionist.
Easily apply
Jan 28
Office Assistant/Scheduler
Swat Pest Management – Evansville, IN
$12 – $15 an hour
_If you’re interested in an exciting job to go to, then by all means, don’t wait! You must have flexibility for attending meetings before or after hours, as…
Easily apply
Jan 27
Clerical Associate
Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating – Newburgh, IN
We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our great staff of health care providers. We are looking for compassionate, caring, and dedicated…
Jan 27
MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT – FAMILY MEDICINE-HENDERSON
Owensboro Health 3.8/5 rating – Henderson, KY
Responsible for a variety of clinical and administrative tasks related to patient registration, assessments, and scheduling while maintaining confidentiality,…
Jan 22
Office Associate
Nichols Electric Supply – Evansville, IN
$11 – $15 an hour
401k with available matching funds. 40+ hour work week during normal business hours of 7:00am to 5:00pm. We are looking for an Office Associate to join our…
Easily apply
Jan 27
Front Office Receptionist
La-Z-Boy Midwest 4/5 rating – Evansville, IN
$13 an hour
Our New La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store in Evansville, IL needs a reliable, organized, happy Office Assistant to manage our front office as a receptionist.
Easily apply
Jan 27
Front Desk Medical Receptionist | Full Time
ProRehab Inc/Advanced Therapy Innovation Evansville – Evansville, IN
We offer outstanding benefits including a 401k with a 4% match, outstanding health/dental/vision coverage, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO plan with…
Easily apply
Jan 24
Dental Office Assistant – Business Assistant
Diamond Valley Dental Care – Evansville, IN
Dental Office Assistant – Business Assistant. Come Join our Successful Dental Practice as an Office Assistant – Business Assistant.
Easily apply
Jan 26
Scheduling Specialist Level 2 – Midtown Surgery
Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating – Evansville, IN
We are looking for compassionate, caring people to join our talented staff of health care professionals as we continue to grow to be the preferred, regional…
Jan 25
Front office coordinator/insurance/ billing
Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry of Evansville – Evansville, IN
$13 – $18 an hour
We are looking for a Front office manager to manage our reception area. You will act as the ‘face’ of our company and ensure visitors receive a heartwarming…
Easily apply
Jan 24
Part-time Office Assistant
La-Z-Boy Midwest 4/5 rating – Evansville, IN
$11 an hour
Our La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store in Evansville, IN needs a reliable, organized Office Assistant to manage our front office on some nights and weekends.
Easily apply
Jan 27
Administrative/Operational Support
TruClarity Management Solutions – United States
$65,000 – $85,000 a year
Remote work available
Assist the firm Chief Administration Officer in maintaining books and records, assisting in the transition process for advisor teams as well as the performance…
Easily apply

Frankel Earns February Scholar-Athlete of the Month

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 Freshman Tomer Frankel was named the IU Scholar-Athlete of the Month for February.

“Tomer is a true freshman who is originally from Israel. In addition to the unique circumstances surrounding his first term, Tomer also experienced challenges as he navigated his first semester of college having to rely on English, which is not his primary language,” said Allen Kohn, IU’s assistant director of academic services. “I was, and still am, inspired by the amount of effort and time that Tomer put into each of his courses. 

“Throughout the semester he sought out assistance from professors, teammates and learning services to help him build confidence in his reading and writing skills.”

On top of his successes in the classroom, Frankel has also won the 200 Freestyle in both meets to open his career. He also was a key member of the winning 400 Freestyle Relay squad against Michigan and Northwestern.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS

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