Mayor Lloyd Winnecke announced a new appointment to his cabinet.
Lane Young will lead the Evansville Water & Sewer Utility (EWSU) as its new Executive Director.EWSU Board of Directors?
Young is an Evansville native. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Indiana University and a Master of Arts, Adult Education, and Student Development from Wheaton College.
Young previously served as Campus Director at Columbia University for Christian Union, an organization that develops transformative student leaders on university campuses; Executive Director of TeachBeyond Global, which equips educators, schools and organizations for the purpose of transforming individuals and societies; President and CEO of Evansville Titles and Assistant Vice President Commercial Lending at Old National Bank. He’s also a veteran of the United States Army, having served as a Field Artillery Officer.
“Lane has a strong background in executive leadership, finance, strategic planning, communication and has a sincere passion for servant leadership,” said Mayor Winnecke. “I’m confident that Lane’s diverse background, and commitment to lifelong learning, will serve him well in his new role.”
Young will head Refresh and Renew Evansville, two long-term plans to address our City’s aging water and sewer systems:
Refresh Evansville will replace aging water mains and supporting infrastructure. EWSU maintains 1,000 miles of water lines, 600 miles of which are cast iron pipes with an average age of over 90 years. These are now at or past their life expectancy. Refresh Evansville will take decades to complete, but these ongoing annual improvements will ensure that our children and future generations will continue to enjoy safe, clean drinking water.
Renew Evansville includes approximately 200 utility projects slated through 2040. Those projects will upgrade existing sewer infrastructure, address combined sewer overflows, and provide environmentally sustainable solutions for utility operations.
“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work with Mayor Winnecke and our terrific EWSU staff,” said Young. “Together, we will work to ensure two of our City’s most important assets — our water and sewer systems — meet present and future needs.”
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Health today announced that 841 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 88,421 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s dashboard.
A total of 3,023 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 15 from the previous day. Another 218 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.
As of today, nearly 42 percent of ICU beds and nearly 84 percent of ventilators are available across the state.
To date, 1,010,981 tests for unique individuals have been reported to ISDH, up from 1,002,038 on Monday.
To find other testing sites around the state, visit www.coronavirus.in.gov and click on the COVID-19 testing information link.
At a time when Indiana’s governor will exert greater control over education and school, reopening remains a key political issue, Indiana’s largest teachers union said it won’t be taking sides in this fall’s gubernatorial race.
In what some observers say is a pragmatic move to maintain policy influence, the political arm of the Indiana State Teachers Association will not make an endorsement in what looks like an easy cruise to reelection for Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb against Democratic challenger Dr. Woody Myers.
Instead, the Indiana Political Action Committee for Education will focus on supporting dozens of legislative races, particularly those in which teachers are running.
“We’re a small PAC with limited resources, and so we have to be careful with that,†Keith Gambill, ISTA president and a member of the political action committee, told Chalkbeat. “The legislature has been at times a roadblock for positive change for our public schools, and we’ve got to elect more pro-public education candidates into the General Assembly.â€
That decision leaves Myers without a key endorsement and funding source that typically boost Democratic candidates for governor, though the American Federation of Teachers Indiana backed his candidacy in May.
The winner of the governor’s race will pick who leads the state’s education department, making this a particularly consequential election to sit out. That marks a change from having voters elect the top education official. School funding will also pose a key issue in 2021, when the next two-year budget will be finalized and when lawmakers could decide on funding cuts for remote learning during the pandemic.
Holcomb holds a heavy advantage in the race, maintaining a consistent lead in the polls and far outraising his competitor. His $9.1 million in campaign cash this year eclipses the roughly $700,000 that Myers has raised. A spokesperson for Holcomb’s campaign declined to comment on the union’s decision.
“If I were going to read the tea leaves, the move was a strategic one,†said Aaron Dusso, an associate professor of political science at IUPUI and chair of the department. It signals that the union wants to build bridges with Holcomb, he said, rather than antagonize him by endorsing his opponent, in order to have more of a say in education policies.
But, Dusso added, it’s a move that also “certainly would be demoralizing to state Democrats.â€
Brandon Evans, communications director for Myers’ campaign, said in a statement that Myers “will continue to stand in solidarity with teachers†and holds education as a top priority.
Without a union endorsement, Gambill said both candidates will have to work harder to earn teachers’ votes. Neither candidate, he said, has adequately explained their vision for the role of the top education appointee.
“At this point, both candidates need to get out there to work to convince us that they are going to focus on our issues in order to earn our votes,†Gambill said.
The teachers union PAC, which has about $1 million to spend, has traditionally endorsed Democratic candidates. In 2016, for example, the union’s PAC backed Holcomb’s opponent, John Gregg, giving more than $300,000 to his unsuccessful run for governor, according to campaign finance records.
Many pieces of Myers’ education platform align with ISTA’s priorities. Myers, a physician and former state health commissioner who hopes to become Indiana’s first Black governor, is pushing for less standardized testing, more restrictions on charter schools and school vouchers, and more support for publicly funded preschool. He is also focusing on increasing funding for schools serving disadvantaged students, reducing gaps in academic outcomes for marginalized students, and reducing disproportionately harsh discipline against students of color.
In AFT Indiana’s endorsement, President GlenEva Dunham said Myers’ “strong executive leadership is what Indiana needs today,†noting that “public education in Indiana has been attacked on all fronts over the last 15 years.â€
Over the past year, Holcomb has supported educators’ call for higher pay, though ISTA was disappointed that the state didn’t directly set aside more money for it earlier this year. Through the pandemic, he has pledged to continue fully funding schools and has used federal funds to help schools secure masks, hand sanitizer, and internet access for students.
Holcomb also backed the move to put the state superintendent’s post under the governor’s purview. The change aims to improve cooperation between the governor and the top education official, but some see it as taking the voice away from teachers.
INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric Holcomb, in a formal statewide address, announced Tuesday that he is creating a new cabinet post to deal with racial disparity issues and will equip front-line state police with body cameras by the summer of 2021.
Those were two of a series of changes he said he will make in the coming weeks and months as his administration addresses what he described as equity and inclusion issues and provide Black and other minority Hoosiers with equal opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Gov. Eric Holcomb delivered a statewide address Tuesday to address action his administration is taking to increase diversity and opportunity in state government. The StatehouseFile.com
“I admit, I can’t put myself in a Black person’s shoes, can’t fully appreciate the everyday indignities and slights our friends and associates have had to deal with, let alone the fear of some things I’ve never had to think about,†Holcomb said.
The new cabinet member, with the title of chief equity, inclusion and opportunities officer, will report directly to the governor and focus on removing systemic barriers in the government workplace. That person will also work with state agencies to implement their own plans for diversity, inclusion and opportunity.
During the address, Holcomb said that he spoke with Dr. Sean Huddleston, president of Martin University, Indiana’s only predominately Black institution, about how barriers to success need to be removed so everyone can benefit and achieve their dreams.
“While Black lives matter, Black livelihoods matter, too,†Holcomb said, quoting Huddleston.
Body cameras will be phased into law enforcement, with every Indiana state trooper being equipped with one before the summer of 2021. Costs are estimated at $5 million initially, along with around $1.5 million annually for maintenance and upkeep.
Along with body cameras, Holcomb said a third-party will come in to review the state police and law enforcement academy curriculum and training. This is meant to not only inform state law enforcement but also help modernize the way officers are trained.
They will look at areas such as the use of force, de-escalation training and implicit bias training to help the state’s nearly 17,000 law enforcement officers on how to keep citizens safe while staying safe themselves. The one issue not addressed was banning the use of chokeholds like those that have led to the deaths of Blacks in police custody.
Holcomb said he will also work with the state’s new secretary of education, whom he will appoint, and other state leaders to help minorities in the education and training sectors. This includes using the $50 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security—CARES—Act for jobs and training programs.
To monitor the state’s progress, the Indiana Management Performance Hub will create the Public Disparity Data Portal, which will track and share data on various fronts that are important to transforming an individual’s life at every stage, Holcomb said.
The fronts will include pre-kindergarten enrollment, graduation, college enrollment, employment rates, health indicators, foster care placement rates, incarceration rates and more.
Even though Holcomb’s state address was focused solely on equity and inclusion in Indiana, he never mentioned the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, or IBLC, which has been working for months to promote changes in the state. Late last week the IBLC called for more reforms to the criminal justice system, including a more inclusive hate crime law.
The IBLC issued a statement after the address saying that they see a lot of similarities between Holcomb’s proposal and their justice reform policy agenda, and they look forward to working with him in executing the initiatives, including consulting about the new cabinet member.
“We know what needs to happen for our community, and it doesn’t end at body cams, revised training and another data portal,†IBLC said. “As mentioned by the governor, creating economic opportunities for minority communities in Indiana is vital and will go a long way for justice reform. When we see economic and educational opportunities are fair across the board, we will truly have equality.â€
In response to Holcomb’s address, Dr. Woody Myers, Democratic candidate for governor, simply said, “Much too little, much too late.â€
PICTURED ABOVE IS Dr. Woody Myers, former commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health and Democratic candidate for governor.
Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ali Brown also released a statement after Holcomb’s address saying that it was long overdue.
“The governor’s sudden policy rollout about ending systemic racism is welcoming, however, any hopes of substantial change should be met with cautious optimism, because throughout this whole summer, Gov. Holcomb has been largely silent and unwilling to even acknowledge the simple fact that Black Lives really do Matter,†Brown said.
Several Republican state leaders including House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, and Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, released statements praising Holcomb’s plans and saying that they will work together to end racism and improve the criminal justice system.
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce said Holcomb’s plans represent a positive step forward for achieving true equity for Hoosiers who have experienced racism. The chamber has already endorsed Holcomb for the general election in November.
“The Indiana Chamber vows to continue to pursue policies and programs that will raise up the education level and prosperity of all Hoosiers – especially focusing on those who have been underserved and in greater need,†the Indiana Chamber said. “For our businesses and communities to succeed, all of our citizens need to have a pathway to thrive as well.â€
In the governor’s address, Holcomb talked about COVID-19 and racism being two insatiable viruses that have ravaged the nation and the state, but they will not stop Hoosiers.
“Truly, like never before, we’re in this together,†Holcomb said. “And that’s why, ultimately, we will prevail — together.â€
FOOTNOTE: Hope Shrum is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party Central CommitteeEdie Hardcastle, Chair; ediehardcastle@gmail.com Nick Iaccarino, Vice Chair Alex Burton, Political Director Cheryl Schultz, Treasurer Melissa Moore, Secretary
***Many thanks to Troy Vaupel, Owner of Vaupel Video, and Clark Exmeyerfor putting together this video!
Neighborhood Leader Training
Training for Neighborhood Leaders will soon begin on Zoom. There will be two sessions: Wednesday, September 2 and Saturday, September 5. Both sessions will be recorded so they can be viewed and reviewed.
All volunteers will receive an email about participation and postcards are to be delivered to Neighborhood Leaders.
Call or email Guy Sides with questions.
Email: guy.sides@me.com
Mobile: 252-619-8849
We Need YOU!
Help Us Mobilize Democrats
to
Vote for Democrats
Join the Biden for President Campaign as we make calls into Vanderburgh County! We will begin the session with a brief Phone Bank Training via Zoom, led by the Biden campaign’s midwest regional organizer, Jake Brett-Turner. The Biden campaign has the infrastructure that makes it simple and fun to call. Whether you’re a Newcomer or a Veteran Phone Banker, all are welcome and encouraged to participate.
We’re making calls on Monday nights for Biden/Harris and a different local candidate each week.
Mon, August 24: Tonda Pauley for INÂ House District 78
Mon, August 31: Ian Gamroth for INÂ House District 64
Register to join us HERE, then
1) Look for an email confirmation for the phone bank that will contain a link to join the training and
2) a second link in the same email that will allow you to access the phone numbers of voters
3) Feel free to ask others to join us as well.
4)Â Thank you so much for volunteering.
Vanderburgh County Democratic Party
P.O. Box 3208
Evansville, IN 47731
812-459-7645 vancountydems@gmail.com
The School of Education at the University of Evansville (UE) recently received a grant totaling $735,247 from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, which was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). GEER Funds were created to provide support to local educational agencies and higher education institutions to develop and improve distance learning techniques and technologies throughout the state of Indiana.
With the grant funds, the UE School of Education will focus on implementing two main initiatives: 1) a free community tutoring program for students, and 2) professional development for teachers and UE students to improve student outcomes. While working toward these goals, UE will be partnering with seven school corporations throughout Southern Indiana, including the Diocese of Evansville, Warrick County Schools, Loogootee Community Schools, North Lawrence Community Schools, Orleans Community Schools, Shoals Community Schools, and Tell City Schools. While the first preference will be given to partner schools, the grant activities will also be open to in-service teachers and students in K-12 corporations throughout Southern Indiana.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption to schools across the nation, and education systems are working diligently and creatively to meet the needs of students and families during unprecedented times. Many educators fear that the extended delay in classroom instruction could impact learning outcomes and student achievement. Using the grant, the UE School of Education will offer a free tutoring program geared toward community K-12 students. UE students and current educators will be connected with students in partner schools and other K-12 school corporations, and they will provide targeted interventions to assist in closing learning gaps. Tutoring sessions will take place via Zoom or in-person using social distancing guidelines.
Monies from the grant will also be utilized to boost in-service and UE pre-service teachers’ capacity to efficiently and effectively provide remote and virtual instruction. The UE School of Education will utilize Zoom sessions to introduce participants to the G Suite for Education, which is a suite of tools designed by Google to empower educators and students and promote innovative learning. Training sessions will focus on teaching in a Google-infused classroom, as well as instructional best practices for online and hybrid learning. After completion, participants will receive Google for Education Fundamentals Training certification.
“We are so honored to provide this support to our students and teachers, which is heavily needed after the last several months,” said Lisa Hale, assistant professor of education at UE. “The training this grant provides will not only enhance the technology-based remote learning but also improve in-person methodology once schools return to full-time classroom instruction.”
Hale commented that the grant will enhance the learning experience for students in the School of Education. Additionally, Google for Education certification will further prepare students for the classroom and provide a competitive edge when entering the workforce.
The grant-writing team was composed o staff and faculty at the University of Evansville, including Sylvia DeVault, Sharon Gieselmann, Lisa Hale, Alison Jones, Mary Kessler, Shari Millikan, and Leanne Nayden. UE also worked with alumni Rick Roll and Joe Lannon for a united team effort.
Across the state, over $61 million in GEER funding was distributed to educational agencies and institutions. The needs-based, competitive grant program was a collaborative effort among the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana State Board of Education, and the Governor’s office. Through their efforts, the grant was created to support the unique challenges associated with distance and remote learning, including device access, internet connectivity, and educator training/development.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), sub-state level data are not seasonally adjusted due to sampling size. For example, over the course of a year, the size of the labor force, employment and unemployment levels, and other measures of labor market undergo fluctuations due to seasonal events including changes in weather, harvests, major holidays, and school schedules. Therefore, for more accurate comparisons, data should be compared to the same month from prior years, not the previous month, as to better account for non-economic factors.
The August 2020 Indiana Employment Report will be released on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) and the August 2020 Indiana County, City, and MSA Employment Report will be released on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern).
Indiana FSSA introduces the Hoosier Health and Well-Being Atlas
(The tool aggregates nearly two years of applicant data into map to help identify the most pressing needs of Hoosiers and their communities)
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration today announced the launch of a new statewide, interactive map showing the prevalence of unmet social needs throughout the state, community by community. With the data, communities can identify and prioritize emerging social needs and target services to proactively and strategically address those needs.
The information is just one example of how state agencies can answer Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s Tuesday, Aug. 18 call to action to shape change regarding equity and inclusion. The well-being atlas will shed light on disparity data across all counties.
“This type of data, which includes age, race and education demographics, will help us uncover disparities our populations face in accessing services needed to provide for their families, seek medical care, find and keep gainful employment, and pursue a safe and healthy life,†Governor Holcomb said.
The “Hoosier Health and Well-Being Atlas†highlights two years of data volunteered by Hoosiers when they apply for state health coverage programs, food assistance or emergency cash assistance. The site launched today at www.FSSA.in.gov.
“With the information collected representing nearly 300,000 households, the Hoosier Health and Well-Being Atlas provides a dynamic view of the various challenges facing our communities and citizens,†said Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H., FSSA secretary. “We are using this tool at the state to make sure our programs align with the real, current needs of Hoosiers and to help charitable organizations deploy their resources to address the most pressing issues at the local level.â€
In 2018, FSSA added 10 optional survey questions to the online applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and health coverage. The purpose was to capture information about the experiences of applicants and clients in order to help better serve them.
“This ability to examine demographic information enables FSSA, and others, to partner with local communities to work toward more equitable access to services and improved health outcomes among marginalized populations,†added Dr. Sullivan. “With a more robust understanding of racial and ethnic disparities, we will be better positioned to design, implement and evaluate policies and programs that seek to address these persistent injustices across Indiana.â€
While FSSA encourages applicants to complete the survey questions, they are optional and have no impact on eligibility determinations. About one in five applicants have completed the survey since it launched.
The 10 questions are as follows:
In the last 12 months, did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn’t enough money for food?
In the last 12 months, has your utility company shut off your service for not paying your bills?
Are you worried that in the next 2 months, you may not have stable housing?
Do problems getting child care make it difficult for you to work or study? (leave blank if you do not have children)
In the last 12 months, have you needed to see a doctor but could not because of cost?
In the last 12 months, have you ever had to go without health care because you didn’t have a way to get there?
Do you ever need help reading hospital materials?
Are you afraid you might be hurt in your apartment building or house?
During the last 4 weeks, have you been actively looking for work?
In the last 12 months, other than household activities or work, do you engage in moderate exercise (walking fast, jogging, swimming, biking, or weight lifting) at least three times per week?
More information about how the survey was conducted:
This survey was made available to individuals who applied online ONLY and does not represent anyone who applied in-person, by telephone, by mail, or any other method. In 2019, 80% of those who applied for SNAP, TANF, or health coverage applied online.
Applications are filed at a household level and may represent several individuals. The application process identifies a primary contact person for the household, and that individual’s personal details are represented on the public dashboard; for example, that person’s gender, race, and education level.
An individual who completes more than one application and surveys over any given time period is represented once, and the survey answers and demographic details are based on each applicant’s most recent responses. For example, an applicant’s age, education level, and survey answers can change over time, and the reporting reflects any such changes.
All information is presented in aggregate to ensure that personally identifiable information is protected. To protect the privacy of individuals, data representing 20 or fewer individuals in any county will not be displayed.
