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USI Men’s Distance Runners Dominant At Vulcan Invite

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University of Southern Indiana’s Titus Winders and the men’s distance squad put on a show at the UAB Vulcan Invite held in Birmingham, Alabama Saturday.

Tyler Garrett kicked things off for the Screaming Eagles in the 800m finals where he finished fifth with a time of one minute and 58.3 seconds.

The Winders’ brothers, Titus (4:10.94) and Javan (4:22.58); kept the momentum going for the Eagles in the mile where they finished second and seventh respectively. Titus’s mark in the mile was narrowly good enough for a NCAA II provisional mark, which is 4:11.24. Titus is currently the fifth fastest man in the mile for NCAA II after Saturday’s performance.

The 3000-meter final capped off what was a spectacular showing from the Eagles altogether as they claimed the top six spots out of seven and nine out of the top 15. Austin Nolan (8:30.51), Wyat Harmon (8:37.11) and Gavin Prior swept the top three places respectively. Cameron Cox (8:55.90) came in fifth place with Matthew Scales (8:59.29) and Matt Everling (9:00.48) rounding out the top seven.

Up Next: The USI Men’s Track and Field team returns to competition on Jan. 18 at the John Craft Invitational held in Charleston, Illinois.

 

EPD REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

IS IT TRUE JANUARY 13, 2020

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?

IS IT TRUE we have been told at tonights Evansville City Council meeting that Alex Burton (D) will be elected President, Zachary Heronemus (D) will be selected Vice President and Republican Ron Beane will be elected Finance Chairmen of the 2020 City Council?  …we are also told that the other two newly elected City Council members Ben Trockman (D) and Kaitin Moore Morley (D) will be appointed by President Burton to head city influential boards?

IS IT TRUE that Senate Bill No. 73 authored by State Senator James Tomes of Wadesvile could eliminate the option for concerned Hoosiers to anonymously report potential environmental violations to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management?   ..that currently, IDEM gives users the option to omit personal information like name, address and other contact information when submitting a tip online, over the phone and by mail?  …this anonymous reporting procedure would change if the bill is passed?  …if this bill passes it would force IDEM to program their site to not allow the submission of a report to the department unless the name and address form fields are filled in, and allow IDEM to reveal the reporting person’s name and address to the subjects of the complaint?

IS IT TRUE that the bill, authored by State Senator Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, would prohibit health maintenance organizations or other health insurance providers from modifying an individual’s coverage on a drug during the plan year?  …we give five (5) cheers to State Senator. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville for pushing common-sense legislation for the common good of her constituents?

IS IT TRUE over the years the City-County Observer has strived to serve as a “Community Watchdog” by sounding the alarm when our citizen’s rights are in danger of being violated by our elected or appointed officials?

IS IT TRUE we realize that a community can have no greater ambassador of goodwill than one which keeps its citizens informed about the accomplishments, failures, and triumphs of individuals, the business community, church and community groups, educational institutions and elected and appointed officials?

IS IT TRUE that for more than 17 years this column has served the citizens of Evansville and Vanderburgh County as the place to go to learn things that are going on in local government that other media is reluctant to cover?…much good has come from things posted in “IS IT TRUE” and the comment section and has, for the most part, made the City-County Observer the go-to place for open constructive dialog?

IS IT TRUE that the primary focus of this publication was built upon the foundation of providing our readers with contemporary information in order to enhance their quality of life? …our mission is to provide vital information concerning social, entertainment, political and educational articles for your reading pleasure?  …over the years we strived to inform our readers about important issues that help shape their lives?

IS IT TRUE that it has been reported that after 5 years Evansville war against blight is just getting started?…ten years ago, former Director of Evansville DMD Tom Barnett gave the CCO a tour of some of the worst blighted areas in Evansville and it looked pretty darn bad?… Barnett told us that there were over 10,000 homes in Evansville that needed more than $100,000 in work to be habitable?…he also told us something we already knew and that was those homes would only sell for $50,000 after having $100,000 in work?…that means this work will never get done and that the 10,000 homes really just needed to be demolished?…at $5,000 each to demolish those homes the cost to do this would amount to $50 million?…that is why after 5 years the job is still just getting started?…only rising housing prices will put these efforts into private hands and that is a long way into the future if at all?

IS IT TRUE we feel that over the years this publication has served the taxpayers of this region well and we are proud to have done so?…as a reminder, one of the earliest breaking stories that the CCO profiled was when a former Mayor and his associates conspired secretly to eliminate the Homestead Tax Credit?…the CCO was alerted to this by one of our most trusted MOLES and we exposed this SENEGAL meeting and the amount of money that the taxpayers of Vanderburgh County were about to be fleeced out of?…that number was $5 million per year when the CCO’s exposure of this sneaky dirty trick saved the taxpayers of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that from drug addict needles in public playgrounds to potholes and from decrepit sewers to antiquated water pipes, the CCO has been the watchdog for the people against ignorant and malignant local government actions? …the $50 million misguided smart water meters that were snuck through by a former Mayor in its last weeks in office was opposed and exposed by the CCO and our willingness to do this saved the city taxpayers a bunch of money? …finally and this may have been our finest hour, we exposed the Earthcare Energy project as a scam and saved an oblivious city council from handing $4 million to a project team that didn’t even have a patent they claimed to have?…through all of this we taught Evansville the meaning of the term VETTING?…we hope this is a lesson that is never forgotten?

IS IT TRUE we been told that numerous people are encouraging the former 8th District Republican Chairman Rick Martin to run for the State Representative House District #75 seat that is currently held by Ron Bacon of Chandler? …that Mr. Bacon recently announced that he shall not seek re-election?  …if attorney Rick Martin decides to run for the soon to be vacant State Representative House District #75 seat currently held by Ron Bacon we predict that he shall be the odds on favorite to win the nomination in the Republican primary?

IS IT TRUE over the years the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Department has earned a reputation of being the mecca for political patronage and pork-barrel politics? …we still wonder if the members of the Board Of Directors receive either $3,000 or $5,000 for server on this board?  …we also wonder if any members of this board are eligible to receive city-paid health insurance?

IS IT TRUE when the people fear the Government we have Tyranny!  When the Government fears the people we have Liberty

Today’s “Readers Poll” question is:  How do you rate the overall performance of State Representative Ryan Hatfield?
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.”
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language, insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.
Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

 

 

 

 

Just In: Krupp Enters AG Race: ‘Time For Hoosiers To Hire A New Lawyer’

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Krupp Enters AG race: ‘Time For Hoosiers To Hire A New Lawyer’

| Katie Stancombe

for Indiana Lawyers

Indiana State Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp announced Monday he will challenge incumbent Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill for the Republican Party nomination, saying he will promote “leadership, integrity, and results.”

“It’s time for Hoosiers to hire a new lawyer. Someone they can trust, someone who is proven to be a passionate public servant whose work has been dedicated to improving the lives of Hoosiers. Someone with a track record of delivering tangible, successful results,” Krupp said. “I’m asking Hoosiers to hire me as their lawyer in 2020.”

In what he described as the most difficult decision of his life, Krupp officially submitted his resignation as the Department of Revenue commissioner to fully immerse himself in seeking the GOP’s nomination. His resignation as commissioner is effective Jan. 31. Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed Krupp to the position in 2017.

Before a crowd of friends, family and supporters Monday at the Westin Indianapolis hotel, Krupp said he stands ready to provide leadership, integrity, and results to Hoosiers by bringing a proven combination of the private sector and government experience to the table.

“The attorney general’s office is a public trust, meaning Hoosiers are operating under the presumption that the officeholder will serve with the highest integrity in following the rules of professional responsibility, build trust with the executive and legislative branches, and always remember the oath of all attorneys, especially that of Indiana’s chief legal officer to abstain from an offensive personality and to maintain the confidence of our clients,” Krupp said.

Krupp, who hails from Plymouth, said under his direction the attorney general’s office will implement a number of statewide initiatives designed to fulfill its ultimate purpose of protecting Hoosiers. That includes focusing on cybercrime, identity theft, child support obligations, human trafficking, and Medicaid fraud.

Additionally, Krupp said he will ask the Indiana Legislature to transfer responsibility and authority over Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) to the AG’s office as part of “the creation of an open government division” that will genuinely promote “transparency in ways that build trust and confidence in Indiana government.”

Regarding the individuals who work the AG’s office, Krupp said under his leadership the office would recruit and train Hoosier lawyers to provide “consistent, high-quality advice and counsel that rivals a private sector law firm.”

“We will conduct ourselves with integrity and civility,” he said.

When asked if he believes Hill should resign from the position, Krupp said his opinion is not relevant and that the decision is “very personal.” He added that it’s up to the governor’s office and the GOP to determine whether to keep Hill out of office.

Krupp joins the race for the Republican nomination alongside Indianapolis attorney John Westercamp, who announced a bid for the GOP nomination last summer. State Sen. Karen Tallian of Ogden Dunes and former Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel are seeking the Democratic nomination. Both parties will select their nominees during conventions this year and voters will choose the next AG in November.

Hill announced in November he was seeking re-election, despite calls from both Holcomb and other state leaders for his resignation following allegations that he drunkenly groped four women at a bar in March 2018. Hill is awaiting the outcome of an attorney discipline case against him resulting from the accusations and his conduct afterward.

Krupp, who has never run for public office, said he believes his record of success in both the private sector as a litigator and government leaders will benefit his campaign efforts. The candidate stated he is supportive of conservative Hoosier values, but also wants to focus on providing advice and counsel to both the legislative and executive branches of Indiana government.

“I’m going to bring my energy to this and let them know that they can trust me and have confidence and faith based on the track record that I have developed thus far,” he said.

Prior to his role as commissioner for the Department of Revenue, Krupp served as general counsel for Indiana’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles, special counsel to the office of former Gov. Mike Pence, and deputy director and counsel for Indiana’s Division of Family Resources.

Krupp graduated from Purdue University with degrees in secondary education specializing in speech communication, theatre, and English. He taught high school in Evansville before attending and graduating from Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2004. Krupp lives in Zionsville with his wife and two children.

House Committee Weighs Extending Voting Hours

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By Haley Carney and Haley Pritchett

TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS— Hoosiers would get more time to vote after work under a bill debated Thursday by a House committee.

No vote, however, was taken. Rep. Tim Wesco, the Osceola Republican who authored House Bill 1221 and also is chairman of the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, decided to hold the bill after hearing testimony, leaving its future in doubt.

Currently, polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Indiana. Under the bill, precinct polling places and voting centers would be open until 8 p.m. It also would allow a county election board to create voting centers – centralized places where anyone in that county can vote – by a majority vote rather than a unanimous vote.

Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, presents his bill pushing the change of polling hours on election day. Photo by Thomas Samuel, TheStatehouseFile.com

Rep. Timothy Wesco, R-Osceola, presents his bill pushing the change of polling hours on election day. Photo by Thomas Samuel, TheStatehouseFile.com

Of Indiana’s 92 counties, 39 have replaced precinct polling places with voting centers.

“Vote centers require much less manpower because you can have fewer centers and you don’t have to have one in every single precinct like the precinct system,” Wesco said.

But the combination of longer voting hours, potentially encouraging more people to vote, and fewer voting places concerned some.

Angela Nussmeyer, co-director of the Indiana Election Division, told the committee she approves of extending polling hours, noting Indiana and Kentucky have the earliest poll-closing hours in the nation. But she said that extending voting hours likely would “bump up” the number of voters, and lead to the need for more rather than fewer places to vote.

Nussmeyer said she is concerned that minority voices would not be heard if fewer polling centers were available, in turn making the two extra hours given to voters pointless.

“Minority voice is important,” she said. “And you can extend [voting] hours, but if their nearest polling location is completely opposite from where they live and they don’t have transportation, then that two hours is of no means to them.”

Vote centers became an option for counties starting in 2011, and Wesco argued that they are more accessible than precincts.

“In general, I think [voting centers] are the future of elections in Indiana. I foresee that vote centers are going to be the way people vote in the new age, so this is just trying to move that ball forward,” he said.

But he also acknowledged complications of extending voting hours.

“Our average poll worker is 72 years old. You’re talking a 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily,” he said. “So that’s a legitimate and real concern… But at the same time, I support giving as much opportunity for people to vote as is reasonable and possible.”

Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, said that he did not see the extra two hours as necessary.

“The heaviest voting for the working-class community is from six to eight in the morning and four to six in the afternoon,” he said. “As you all know, I’m pretty close to the labor folks. They were pretty strong about wanting that early morning voting before they go to work so I would advocate that.”

FOOTNOTE:  Haley Carney and Haley Pritchett are reporters for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

 

January 13, 2020 City Council Agenda

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civic center

City Council Meeting JANUARY 13, 2020 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA

I. INTRODUCTION

 

Agenda Attachment:
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM

 

Memo Attachment:
III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

A. APPOINTMENT OF CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY
B. NOMINATION & ELECTION OF OFFICERS
C. COMMITTEE CHAIR APPOINTMENTS
D. DEPARTMENT LIAISONS
V. CONSENT AGENDA:  FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2020-01 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 18.135 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Discussion Date: 1/27/2020
G-2020-01 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2020-02 An Ordinance Amending Section 18.130.020 (Minimum Floor Area) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Discussion Date: 1/27/2020
G-2020-02 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2020-01 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2608 South Weinbach Avenue Petitioner: Ronnie K. Morehead Owner: Ronnie K. Morehead Requested Change: R1 to R3 Ward: 2 Mosby Representative: Ronnie K. Morehead
R-2020-01 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2020-02 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2801 Forest Avenue Petitioner: Arendell Enterprise Land Trust Owner: Arendell Enterprise Land Trust Requested Change: R2 to PUD Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Jeffrey Burden, Cash Waggoner & Associates, PC
R-2020-02 Attachment:
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

VII. REGULAR AGENDA:  SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE R-2019-30 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1571 Wedeking Avenue Petitioner: Ruth Brinkley Owner: Doris A. Kissel Requested Change: R1 to R3 Ward: 3 Melcher Representative: Ruth Brinkley
R-2019-30 Attachment:
VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET

 

A. RESOLUTION C-2020-01 A Resolution Honoring Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Sponsor(s): Burton Discussion Led By: Council President Discussion Date: 1/13/2020
C-2020-01 Attachment:
B. RESOLUTION C-2020-02 Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing the Issuance of a Taxable Note for the Purpose of Providing Funds to be Applied to the Cost of Firefighting Vehicles Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Discussion Date: 1/13/2020 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller
C-2020-02 Attachment:
IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

 

A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, January 27, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.
B. 2020 YOUTH GRANT APPLICATIONS
C. BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
D. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

XI. ADJOURNMENT

ALEX BURTON TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF THE EVANSVILLE CITY COUNCIL

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Dear Colleagues:

After much thought and consideration, I wanted to share with each of you that I will seek to serve as President of Council. We are fortunate to have the right combination of energy, excitement, and expectation that must yield our best foot forward with new, bold, and innovative ideas.
My decision comes after a lot of thought and self-reflection. I am seeking to lead because I want to make sure our city takes full advantage of our momentum that residents can believe in. I’m fully committed to facilitating collective efforts to solve problems, while being a community champion, and fulfilling our greatest potential.
The future of our city is too important for microwave policy and passive leadership. I am positioned to lead effectively and inclusively. As President of Council, I will lead with the understanding that we ALL bring something to the table. And for Evansville’s best future, we have to rely on everyone’s strengths to best make our city an ideal place to live, work, and play.
There is too much work that must be done and there is no time to waste. These next four years will be pivotal as it relates to updating ordinances, revitalizing economically distressed areas, responsibly overseeing city finances, and simply ensuring our beloved city lives up to her fullest potential.
It is time to aim high and ensure our beloved city is in the best position to positively impact everyone! This is a new council and we should operate as such.
Humbly submitted,
Alex Burton
FOOTNOTE: This letter was sent to us by a confidential source and we posted it without opinion, bias or editing.

Environmental Bills To Watch In The 2020 Legislative Session

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Environmental Bills To Watch In The 2020 Legislative Session

ENEIAQUE SAENZ -INDIANA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER

January 9, 2020

Some of the bills introduced could have a direct effect on the state’s environment or help or impede Hoosiers from improving their own effect on the environment.

Senate Bill No. 73

Reports of potential violations to IDEM
Author: Sen. James Tomes

Senate Bill No. 73 could eliminate the option for concerned Hoosiers to anonymously report potential environmental violations to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Currently, IDEM gives users the option to omit personal information like name, address and other contact information when submitting a tip online, over the phone and by mail. That would change if the bill is passed.

The bill would force IDEM to program their site to not allow the submission of a report to the department unless the name and address form fields are filled in, and allow IDEM to reveal the reporting person’s name and address to the subjects of the complaint.

 Senate Bill No. 6

Electric vehicle supplemental fee.
Author: Sen. Mike Bohacek

The bill proposes continuing the supplemental registration fee for electric and hybrid vehicles. In its current form, the bill would allow the state to continue imposing a $150 supplemental registration fee on electric vehicles and $50 for hybrid vehicles on top of standard state vehicle registration fees.

Senate Bill No. 33

School City of East Chicago Loan
Author: Sen. Lonnie M. Randolph

For the fourth year in a row, Sen. Lonnie Randolph introduced a bill that proposed the State of Indiana produce the funds to help East Chicago schools pay off a loan it received from the state to relocate students during the city’s lead crisis.

Since the 1980s, state and federal agencies have found evidence of lead contamination in residential areas surround the USS Lead Superfund site. In 2016, just weeks before the start of the new school year, officials from the School City of East Chicago announced it would close Carrie Gosch Elementary after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials found parts of the property were contaminated with lead.

The $3 million emergency loan was used to renovate classrooms and bathrooms at an abandoned middle school to convert it into the new, uncontaminated Carrie Gosch Elementary.

Senate Bill No. 56

Homeowners associations and solar energy systems
Author: Sen. Linda Rogers

This bill would clarify which screening and preapproval powers homeowners associations in Indiana have over the installation of solar energy systems.

Under the bill, HOAs could require homeowners thinking about installing solar power systems to provide more information about those systems before installation. The bill would also delineate HOAs more power to prohibit the installation or require system removal under certain circumstances, including if “a court” found the solar energy system threatens public health or safety or “violates a law.”

If stipulations in the law are met, HOAs would not be allowed to prohibit the installation of solar power systems.

Senate Bill No. 63

State forest commission and management plan
Authors: Sen. John Ruckelshaus, Sen. Eric Bassler and Sen. Greg Walker

This bill would establish a state forest commission that would be tasked with making up a 100-year plan for the management of the state’s forests.

If established, the commission would consist of two members of the general public chosen by the governor to serve as co-chairs, two members of the state senate and two members of the state House of Representatives. The commission would also include a governor-appointed commercial logging industry representative, environmental group representative, hunting/fishing representative, outdoor recreation representative, state forester, forest products industry representative and the commission director.

Senate Bill No. 99

Study committee on invasive species
Author: Sen. Susan Glick

The bill forwarded to the Indiana Senate’s Natural Resources Committee urges the legislative council to assign an interim study committee to study issues related to invasive species.

The study committee would have to examine the Indiana Invasives Initiative, an agreement between the Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management (SICIM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to establish small partnership organizations called Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) to manage invasive plants locally.

The bill would also allow the study committee to investigate the possibility of making the Indiana Invasives Initiative a state agency.

Senate Bill No. 104

Designated wild areas in state forests
Author: Sen. Mark Stoops

Retiring State Sen. Mark Stoops introduced a bill that would set declare 13 areas inside state forests “designated wild areas,” or protected areas where logging, herbicide use, vehicle use, and energy development and other disturbances are prohibited.

The bill would include a designated wild area of at least 800 acres in each of the state’s 13 state forests

Senate Bill No. 145

Office of outdoor recreation development
Author: Sen. Blake Doriot

The bill seeks to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation Development within the newly established Indiana Destination Development Corporation. The new office would work to increase outdoor recreation-based economic development, tourism, and ecotourism. It would also promote the growth of Indiana’s outdoor recreation economy and the health and social benefits of outdoor recreation.

Senate Bill No. 147

Campground matters
Author: Sen. Blake Doriot

The bill seeks to give campground owners the right to ask a campground guest to leave the property under certain circumstances like defaulting on fee payments, creating a disturbance that affects other guests and suspicion of violation of state, federal or local laws.

The legislation would guarantee a guest’s refund of fees but would leave the guest open to criminal trespass charges if he or she does not comply with the request to leave.

Senate Bill No. 193

Prohibition of flavored e-liquids
Author: Sen. Ronald Grooms

This bill would ban the sale of “flavored e-liquid” to a person of any age in the state of Indiana and would also prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of those products in the state.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently banned fruit and mint flavored e-cigarette products while still allowing the sale of tobacco and menthol-flavored products.

Senate Bill No. 214

Testing of school drinking water for lead
Authors: Sen. Lonnie Randolph and Sen. Rick Niemeyer

This bipartisan legislation would require the testing of drinking water lead levels in every school building in Lake County at least once every two years.

Lake County has been home to the heavy industry since the late 19th century and has a long history of environmental contamination. The county is home to seven Superfund sites, including the USS Lead Superfund site, a former lead smelter, and lead refinery.

The site abuts commercial, municipal and residential areas, including at least one former school.

Currently, the state of Indiana offers free lead sampling for public schools, but districts and individual schools can choose not to take part.

Senate Bill No. 217

Inspection of petroleum products
Author: Sen. Mark Messmer

The bill seeks to amend the Indiana Code concerning health by reducing the volatility levels of gasoline allowed to be sold in the state of Indiana.

Volatility levels determine the evaporation characteristics of gasoline, which emit volatile organic compounds that are major contributors to ground-level ozone, also known as smog.

Lower volatility levels usually result in lower emissions of those potentially harmful compounds.

According to the EPA, 26 out of 46 Indiana counties that were monitored and 15 out of 17 monitored cities are experiencing more high level ozone days since 2015.

Senate Bill No. 248

Annual inspections of CAFOs
Author: Sen. Rick Niemeyer

The bill would make IDEM conduct an onsite inspection of concentrated animal feeding operations at least once a year.

CAFOs can provide a low-cost source of meat, milk and eggs, but can also negatively affect water sources and air quality.

Currently, IDEM’s Office of Land Quality inspects CAFOs during the first six months after being populated, during a change of regulatory status and after a transfer of ownership. IDEM also states that visits are “conducted as needed depending on the issues identified.”

Senate Bill No. 286

Lead poisoning prevention
Author: Sen. Jean Breaux

This bill reduces the amount of lead that needs to be detected in a person’s bloodstream in order to be declared an “elevated blood lead level.” Currently, an elevated blood lead level means a person has a blood lead level of at least 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood. The bill would reduce that amount to 5 micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood.

The designation allows the state to initiate “public health actions” that vary depending on a child’s blood lead levels, ranging from arranging additional testing to requiring property owners to immediately remediate the contaminated property.

The bill also requires that a student only be allowed to enroll in a school after being tested for an elevated blood lead level.

House Bill No. 1006

Regulation of tobacco products
Author: Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer

House Bill 1006 proposes some changes to tobacco regulations in the state of Indiana. The bill would raise the legal age for tobacco purchases to 21 and raise increases the civil penalties for suppliers that sell tobacco products to anyone under 21.

House Bill No. 1031

The Lake Michigan shore
Author: Rep. Doug Miller

In 2018, the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed that the Lake Michigan beach and shoreline up to the ordinary high water mark is publicly owned land open to recreational uses. House Bill 1031 proposes to add stipulations to that court finding to benefit private property owners along the Lake Michigan shore.

The bill would change the boundaries between public and private land and would call for the state of Indiana to recognize the existence of private property below the natural high watermark. The bill also seeks to define “recreational activities” as activities where people take up space on the beach temporarily, eliminating lying on the beach, camping and other “non-transient activities.”

House Bill No. 1039

Inspection of petroleum products
Author: Rep. Jerry Torr

This bill is similar to Senate Bill 217. The bill seeks to amend the Indiana Code concerning health by reducing the volatility levels of gasoline allowed to be sold in the state of Indiana.

Volatility levels determine the evaporation characteristics of gasoline, which emit volatile organic compounds that are major contributors to ground-level ozone, also known as smog.

Lower volatility levels usually result in lower emissions of those potentially harmful compounds.

According to the EPA, 26 out of 46 Indiana counties that were monitored and 15 out of 17 monitored cities are experiencing more high-level ozone days since 2015.

House Bill No. 1099

Low head dams
Author: Rep. Ethan Manning

This bill would require the state’s natural resources commission to establish a roster of low head dams in the state that are capable of creating hazardous currents that pose safety issues.

Low head dams create strong turbulence and recirculating currents that can push someone underwater. Indiana DNR currently has a map of the state’s low head dams, but the map does not note which dams are more dangerous than others.

House Bill No. 1227

Supplemental fee on electric and hybrid vehicles
Author: Rep. Carey Hamilton

This bill seeks to eliminate the supplemental fee on electric and hybrid vehicles implemented by the state. Currently, people who own electric vehicles must pay a $150 supplemental registration fee and hybrid vehicle owners must pay $50 on top of standard state vehicle registration fees.

House Bill No. 1257

Notice of environmental contamination
Author: Rep. Pat Boy, Co-author: Rep. Sue Errington

This bill seeks to make it mandatory for a person who causes a spill of certain substances to immediately report the spill to IDEM, the county’s health officer, water users downstream of the spill site, at least one emergency response agency and each park located in the county where the spill occurred.

Responding agencies and the person who caused the spill must then make that information publicly available.

The text of bills introduced during the legislative session often changes, and more bills will be introduced. We’ll keep you up to date.

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IDEM BUDGET REDUCED BY $35 MILLION IN LAST DECADE

JIM BEAM FINED FOR KENTUCKY BOURBON SPILL, FISHKILL

EPA ORDERS ONLINE STORE TO STOP SELLING ILLEGAL PESTICIDES

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The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Executive Session Meeting

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The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2020, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of one or more of the following: collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); for discussion of the assessment, design, and implementation of school safety and security measures, plans, and systems (3); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9); to train school board members with an outside consultant about the performance of the role of the members as public officials (11).

The regular meeting of the School Board will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the EVSC Board Room,

The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will conduct a Board of Finance meeting immediately following the regular Board meeting on Monday, January 13, 2020, in the Board Room at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut St., Evansville, IN 47713.

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