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Governor Signs Bill To Pay Cash For Higher Education Capital Projects

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Governor Signs Bill To Pay Cash For Higher Education Capital Projects
Staff Report

TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—The General Assembly is reaching the midpoint in the 2020 session as legislation allowing the state to pay cash for some capital improvement projects is signed by the governor and bills dealing with abortion and prescription drug prices advance:

House Bill 1007: Allocates money from Indiana’s surplus to pay cash for $291 million in projects at the state’s colleges and universities.

What it does: By paying cash instead of financing higher education capital improvement projects through bonds, Indiana will save money in interest payments, the state budget office has said. The projects had been approved by the General Assembly in the 2019 session.

Governor signs bill to pay cash for higher education capital projects

What happened: Gov. Eric Holcomb signed HB 1007 into law Wednesday, the first legislation of the 2020 session to reach his desk.

“By paying off these one-time expenditures, we’re ensuring our state remains the fiscal envy of the nation by saving Hoosier taxpayers more than $135 million in borrowing costs, which in turn frees up money to be spent on other priorities,” Holcomb said in a news release.

Democrats tried and failed to amend HB 1007 to use some of the surplus to raise teacher pay and spending on other programs.

“Republicans are prioritizing paying cash for these projects over the needs of Hoosier teachers, parents and seniors who have been battling low pay, expensive early childhood education programs and skyrocketing prescription drug prices,” said Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, in a news release.

What’s next: The money can now be spent on the capital improvement projects.

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Senate Bill 299: Deals with the disposal of fetal remains after a chemical abortion.

What it does: The bill, authored by Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, clarifies that a woman who has a chemical abortion at home can take the remains to the health care provider or abortion clinic for cremation or interment.

What happened: After a hearing in the House Health and Provider Services Committee, the bill passed by a 10-1 vote. Brown, saying the bill also clarifies existing state law, expressed concern that abortion clinics are still treating aborted remains as waste even though state law requires that they be cremated or buried. Sen. Jean Breaux, D-Indianapolis, cast the only no vote, saying that when a woman has an abortion at home she is expelling a large blot clot.

What’s next: SB 299 advances to the full Senate for consideration.

Sen. Liz Brown, R-Indianapolis, explains SB 299 to the Health and Provider Services Committee Wednesday. Photo by Haley Carney, TheStatehouseFile.com

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House Bill 1005: Would require hospitals and off-campus hospital facilities to be more transparent with medical service pricing.

What it does: Authored by Rep. Donna Schaibley, R-Carmel, HB 1005 first provides the definition of off-campus facility of a hospital. The legislation lists requirements for hospitals to provide select medical service pricing in their websites. Also, medical facilities or practitioners that treat patients with non-emergency care would be required to inform the patient of a best-estimated price of the care no more than three business days after the patient first seeks care.

What happened: An amendment to allow Indiana to import lower-priced prescription drugs passed 49-44 in the House on Wednesday. The amendment was authored by Rep. Ryan Hatfield, D-Evansville, and stems from President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to look into allowing states to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada that would be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The amendment allows Indiana to import certain prescription drugs, already used in the United States, from Canada to help lower prescription drug prices. Similar legislation was passed in Florida last year.

“Hoosiers have been crippled by the high cost of prescription drug prices for far too long,” Hatfield said.

Schaibley asked members of the House to vote against the amendment, saying the bill itself was already “hefty,” and she would like to discuss prescription drug pricing with different legislation.

What’s next: HB 1005 is eligible for a final vote in the House.

Haley Carney and Emily Ketterer contributed to this report. They are reporters for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

 

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE IN VANDERBURGH COUNTY

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HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE IN VANDERBURGH COUNTY
Eligibility Assistant – Vanderburgh County
Knowledge Services 3.1/5 rating   133 reviews  – Evansville, IN
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Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation 3.8/5 rating   55 reviews  – Evansville, IN
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This position works 52 weeks per year and 8 hours per day. Our people are the single most important asset we have in the EVSC.
Jan 31
Front Desk Receptionist
Southwestern Indiana Land Title – Evansville, IN
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Ideal candidate would have excellent attention to detail, be able to answer multiple phone lines and multi-task. High school or equivalent (Required).
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Medical Receptionist (PART TIME)
ECHO Community Healthcare 4/5 rating   3 reviews  – Evansville, IN
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Local well-established independent insurance agency located in Evansville, IN is looking to hire a full time Receptionist. Act as the office receptionist.
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Warrick County Economic Development – Newburgh, IN
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 Assist economic development analyst in administration of department grants. Incumbent occasionally works extended hours.  Proficient in MS Office:
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St. Vincent, IN 3.7/5 rating   5,056 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Office Assistant – Family Practice – Full-Time, Days – St. Vincent Medical Group Integrity Physicians – Evansville, IN. Diploma High school or GED required.
Jan 28
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Office Coordinator
Innovative Staff Solutions, Inc. 3.7/5 rating   145 reviews  – Evansville, IN
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Jan 26
Front Desk Clerk (EVVKD)
Holiday Inn Express East 3.7/5 rating   17,563 reviews  – Evansville, IN
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The Front Desk/Guest Service Representative is responsible for contributing to customer satisfaction by providing courteous and efficient service throughout…
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Physician Office Supervisor – Cardiology
St. Vincent, IN 3.7/5 rating   5,056 reviews  – Evansville, IN
Physician Office Supervisor – Cardiology – Full-Time, Days – St. Vincent Medical Group – Cardiology – Evansville, IN. High school diploma or GED required.
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Deaconess Health System 3.7/5 rating   460 reviews  – Newburgh, IN
Maintains positive patient oriented services in the provision of medical office services to the patient, family members, visitors and physicians in the office…
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Data Mail, Inc. – Evansville, IN
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Bill Would Change Age For Children To Be Tried As Adults In Murder Cases

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TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—Children as young as 13-years-old could be waived to adult court for murder under legislation that advanced out of a Senate committee late Tuesday.

The age was raised from 12 in a last-minute amendment to Senate Bill 449 in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law committee.

The bill passed with a 4-2 vote and advances to the full Senate for further action.

Tuesday was the last day for bills to be heard in this committee during the 2020 legislative session. The amendment, which was written during the committee meeting late in the day, erased wording in the bill that would allow 12-year-olds to be waived to adult court for attempted murder.

Sen. Erin Houchin, R-Salem, author of SB 449, wrote a similar bill last session in reaction to a shooting where a student shot another student and a teacher at Noblesville West Middle School in 2018.

Houchin, in explaining the purpose of SB 449, said testimony focus on the victims of these crimes. She said the young woman who was shot in the 2018 incident shouldn’t have to be in fear of her shooter walking free after being released from a juvenile correctional facility at the age of 18.

But more than a dozen people—including juvenile court judges, social workers and people who had run-ins with the criminal justice system as children—packed into the hearing room in the basement of the Statehouse to voice their opposition to the bill. Thirty-four people originally signed up to testify, though some had left before the bill was finally heard in the early evening hours.

Marilyn Moores, a Marion County juvenile court judge, said people’s brains aren’t fully developed until they are 25 years old.

“The farther away you get from 25, the less it is developed,” she said.

Marion Superior Judge Marilyn Moores president in juvenile court and opposed the proposed law allow younger children to be tried as an adult. Photo by Lacey Watt, TheStatehouseFile.com.

Moores said juvenile correctional facilities offer treatment options geared toward children, with mandatory education. She said these facilities work to help change errors in “pliable minds.”

Shane Shepherd testified about his personal experience with the criminal justice system as a youth. He had grown up with a drug-addicted father and at age 13 he was sent to Delaware Youth Center in New York.

“I didn’t need a gun at Delaware Youth Center,” he said. “In Delaware Youth Center, I was able to get education and keep up with myself, learn hygiene, I went through puberty in those places.”

Aside from Houchin, the author, the only testimony in favor of the bill came from David Powell, senior council of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council. He said a provision in the bill allowing juveniles to be sentenced to a maximum of six years in a detention center, up from two years, could result in prosecutors waiving fewer children to adult court.

“Hopefully those juvenile facilities do do a better job of reforming individuals than the adult facilities if they’re filed directly,” he said.

Sen. Sue Glick, R-LaGrange, and Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, were the lone no votes.

Glick said SB 449 is making too many important changes for last-minute amendments to be thrown in, and that the bill and amendments need more time to be thoughtfully considered.

Justin Busch, R-Fort Wayne, and Jack Sandlin, R-Indianapolis, explained their ‘yes’ vote to the bill, saying while there are many flaws, they hope to be able to fix the problems with the bill in the Senate.

Victoria Ratliff is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

 

Administrator Wheeler Kicks Off Visit to Brazil with Bilateral Meetings

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler kicked off his visit to Brazil in Brasilia with bilateral meetings with his Brazilian counterparts at the Ministry of Environment (Ministério do Meio Ambiente [MMA]) and National Water Agency of Brazil (Agência Nacional de Águas [ANA]). With this trip, Administrator Wheeler becomes the first EPA Administrator to visit the Amazon.

“It is an honor to be in Brazil to discuss these very important, cooperative issues, especially the reduction of marine litter,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Brazil is an important partner for the United States, and our environmental cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and other ministries is an essential component of the U.S.-Brazil bilateral relationship. I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate with MMA to reduce marine litter through sharing information and best practices that EPA developed under its marine litter programs.”

“We have very positive results to share, such as the Urban Environmental Quality Agenda. The United States’ environmental protection measures, focused on concrete results, that respect market laws and attract private capital, have been an important objective of the Ministry of the Environment,” said Minister of the Environment Ricardo Salles.

In a bilateral meeting with Minister of the Environment Ricardo Salles and Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) President Eduardo Bim, they discussed past and current EPA collaboration in Brazil including a previous project with the State of Maryland and Rio de Janeiro State on marine litter in Guanabara Bay. Top priorities for future collaboration include environmental challenges of sanitation and wastewater. Administrator Wheeler invited Minister Salles to visit the United States and they discussed possible next steps under the EPA-MMA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the areas of water quality, marine litter/ocean pollution, solid waste management, and food waste.

“The dialogue between environmental agencies is important to promote an exchange of experiences, which will result in the improvement of the Institute’s environmental processes,” said IBAMA President Eduardo Bim.

Following the bilateral meeting Administrator Wheeler and Minister Salles signed aa MOU on cooperation on urban sustainability between the Ministry of the Environment of the Federal Republic of Brazil and the EPA. The MOU aims to improve institutional capacity through technical cooperation on environmental management emphasizing urban sustainability. Specific areas of cooperation outlined in the MOU include: protection and restoration of oceans from pollution, solutions and best practices for combatting marine litter, alternative technologies for sewage treatment, water quality restoration and protection, and sound waste management for reducing waste generation, including recycling and food waste.

Administrator Wheeler also met with ANA where they discussed priority areas of focus for the ongoing successful collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey, EPA, and ANA, as well as interest in further collaboration.

“It was an honor to host EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to discuss important water challenges facing both Brazil and the U.S. I look forward to future collaboration on issues including water quality,” said ANA Director Ricardo Andrade.

Administrator Wheeler’s visit to Brazil continues in Manaus with meetings to further efforts to combat marine litter and address marine debris.

Crones Record-Setting Performance, Milers Highlight Greyhound Invitational

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University of Southern Indiana’s men’s track & field team was dominant in the mile while freshman Kyle Crone put together a career day in the field events at the Greyhound Invitational Saturday.

The Screaming Eagles were able to notch two top-ten finishes in the 800 meters. Senior Javan Winders was USI’s top finisher in the event coming in fourth with a time well under the two-minute mark at 1 minute, 57.48 seconds. Sophomore teammate, Madison King grabbed ninth with a time of 2:02.54.

The Eagles excelled in the 3000m as a team claiming four of out of the top ten spots; three out of the top eight. Junior Gavin Prior led the way with a time of 8:54.88, earning him a fourth-place finish. Juniors Grady Wilkinson, Sean Hughes followed in line with marks of 8:57.46 and 9:08.12, good for sixth and eighth place, respectively. Freshman Will Sims snuck into the top ten with a time of 9:18.26 which rewarded him with ninth place.

The mile proved to be USI’s best event collectively; as their top-five finishers not only placed in the top ten, they also ran times all under 4 minutes and 35 seconds. Junior Nathan Hall paced the Eagles by winning the event with a time of 4:20.94. Junior Wyat Harmon followed close behind Hall as he came in second with a time of 4:22.52. Freshman Oneel Occenat just stayed under the 4:30:00 barrier, with a time of 4:29.98 which earned Occenat a fourth-place finish. Sophomores Cameron Cox and Taylor Mills added to impressive showing with times of 4:32.72 and 4:34.99 giving them the sixth and ninth spot, respectively.

In the field events, USI had six top-five finishes between three different events.

Crone, the star of the meet, finished second in the triple jump with a mark of 41 feet, 11.5 inches. Crone’s triple jump mark made him school record holder, besting Tyrell Nickelson’s mark from 2018. Zack Gresens followed Crone with a leap of 38’ 6”, nabbing third place.

Nickelson added a third-place finish in the high jump with a leap of 6’ 4.75” and Crone came in fifth place with a mark of 6’ 2.75”.

Crone was also the top USI finisher in the long jump with a leap of 20’ 9.75” good for fifth place for the meet, and third all-time in USI history. Gresens came next with his own mark of 19’ 6.25” to give him eighth place.

Other Notables: The Eagles were recently ranked 30th in the new USTFCCCA Poll that was released last week, Tuesday.

University of Southern Indiana’s Jennifer Comastri and Aubrey Swart Both Won Their Respective Events At The Greyhound Invitational.

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University of Southern Indiana’s Jennifer Comastri and Aubrey Swart both won their respective events at the Greyhound Invitational.

Junior Comastri ran a blazing time in the mile, 4 minutes, 56.88 seconds to claim the event. Comastri’s mile time was also good for an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark as she got under the 4:58.73 threshold. Comastri’s time makes her the 16th fastest woman in NCAA II as well as third all-time in the USI record books. Freshman Mckenna Cavanaugh followed behind Comastri with a time of 5:17.08, good for third place. Senior Hope-Jones and Freshman Hadley Fisher rounded out the top five with times of 5:19.91 and 5:22.05, respectively.

Aubrey Swart had an impressive outing in the 3000m as she claimed the top spot in the event with a time of 10:42.84.

In the field events, the Screaming Eagles posted two top-ten finishers.

First, freshman Miranda Anslinger vaulted 4 feet, 11 inches in the high jump, which gave her seventh in the event.

Also, freshman Cassie Janas finished 10th in the weight throw with a toss of 43’ 1.5”. Janas’s weight throw mark moved her to fifth all-time in USI history.

Other Notables: The USI women’s track & field team is currently ranked 22nd in the latest USTFCCCA poll which was released last week, Tuesday. The Eagles are one of three teams from the GLVC ranked in the top-25 ranked behind Southwest Baptist in seventh and Indianapolis in fifth overall.

Letters of Intent Now Being Accepted For 2020 Stellar Communities Program

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Letters of Intent Now Being Accepted For 2020 Stellar Communities Program

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 29, 2020) – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced that the Stellar Communities Program is now open for Letters of Intent.

Launched in 2011, the Stellar Communities Program is a multi-year, multi-million dollar investment initiative led by OCRA, which is overseen by Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. The program works with communities in creating regional development plans, promoting local and regional partnerships and implementing comprehensive solutions to regional challenges. The program will continue this year with a regional partnership design and select one regional designee.

“The authenticity of the regional relationships built through the Stellar process in Marshall County last year was inspiring to watch, and I’m excited to see the new relationships formed,” said Crouch. “I encourage all regional groups to apply! Each finalist benefits from this strategic process and walks away with a great plan.”

All participating communities must commit at least four years to the project. This collaborative effort brings together mentors and partners to advance comprehensive solutions for regional and local challenges throughout rural Indiana.

“Too often, we get caught up in the challenges and issues facing our community,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “By working together to move a region forward, even more, can be accomplished and innovative ideas can become reality. This program helps a region begin that collaborative process.”

Eligible participants include local units of government, a county, city or an incorporated town not currently considered a HUD recognized entitlement community. Only communities that participate in the state Community Development Block Grant program are eligible.

Golden said that although any eligible community can apply, regional mentorships with past Stellar Designees and Finalists are highly encouraged. The Stellar Communities Program manager, Michael Sinnet, is available for consultation and technical assistance.

The Letters of Intent submission process is completed through an online grant management system. All regions must submit the required documentation in order to be considered. Letters of Intent are due by April 3, 2020, at 4 p.m. ET. No paper submissions will be accepted and submissions entered after 4 p.m. will not be eligible.

An informational program video is available online.  Visit in.gov/ocra/stellar for more information.

ADOPT A PET

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Arya is a female orange & white cat who is about 2 years old. Her previous dad loved her a whole lot, and raised her & her sister from the time they were bottle babies. But his new fiancée was highly allergic, and he made the difficult choice to bring Arya & Sansa (already adopted) to the VHS. Arya’s very friendly and will rub all along her cage greeting you in the lobby. Her adoption fee is $40 and includes her spay, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details!

Comastri records provisional mark, Swart picks up a victory at the Greyhound Invitationa

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University of Southern Indiana’s Jennifer Comastri and Aubrey Swart both won their respective events at the Greyhound Invitational.

Junior Comastri ran a blazing time in the mile, 4 minutes, 56.88 seconds to claim the event. Comastri’s mile time was also good for an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark as she got under the 4:58.73 threshold. Comastri’s time makes her the 16th fastest woman in NCAA II as well as third all-time in the USI record books. Freshman Mckenna Cavanaugh followed behind Comastri with a time of 5:17.08, good for third place. Senior Hope Jones and Freshman Hadley Fisher rounded out the top five with times of 5:19.91 and 5:22.05, respectively.

Aubrey Swart had an impressive outing in the 3000m as she claimed the top spot in the event with a time of 10:42.84.

In the field events, the Screaming Eagles posted two top-ten finishers.

First, freshman Miranda Anslinger vaulted 4 feet, 11 inches in the high jump, which gave her seventh in the event.

Also, freshman Cassie Janas finished 10th in the weight throw with a toss of 43’ 1.5”. Janas’s weight throw mark moved her to fifth all-time in USI history.

Other Notables: The USI women’s track & field team is currently ranked 22nd in the lastest USTFCCCA poll which was released last week, Tuesday. The Eagles are one of three teams from the GLVC ranked in the top-25 ranked behind Southwest Baptist in seventh and Indianapolis in fifth overall.

Troopers Target Dangerous and Impaired Drivers Overnight in Knox County

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Last night and early this morning, Indiana State Police conducted a saturation patrol targeting dangerous and impaired drivers throughout Knox County. Between 9:30 last night and 3:30 this morning, troopers issued 18 traffic tickets, 33 warnings and arrested three impaired drivers. Troopers also cited and released two individuals for possession of marijuana.

Arrested and Charges:

  • Keith A. Luenebrink, 28, Monroe City, IN
  1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Refusal, Class A Misdemeanor
  2. Outstanding Warrant out of Knox County
  • William R. Thais, 63, Vincennes, IN   (BAC .18%)
  1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
  2. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated –Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor
  • Tanner M. Allen, 21, Vincennes, IN   (BAC of .08%)
  1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Trooper Jordan Lee and Trooper Hunter Manning

The Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

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