Hemp Bill Heading To Governorâ€™s Desk

04/28/2019

Hemp Bill Heading To Governorâ€™s Desk

April 27, 2019,

By Andrew Longstreth

TheStatehouseFile.com

Legislation that would increase hemp production in Indiana is on the way to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his decision on whether to sign it into law.

The measure cleared its final legislative hurdles Wednesday, passing the Senate 39-9 and the House 94-3.

Hemp is a strain that comes from the cannabis sativa plant, the same plant that produces cannabis. The main difference between hemp and cannabis is that hemp contains a lower amount of THC, the chemical responsible for producing a â€œhighâ€ feeling. Hemp also is used for multiple industrial purposes.

Senate Bill 516, authored by Sen. Randy Head, R-Logansport, would keep CBD oil legal within Indiana, but all other variants would be illegal. In addition, anyone growing hemp without a license can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and can be charged with a civil penalty of up $10,000.

The bill also establishes the Indiana Hemp Advisory Committee to advise the governorâ€™s administration on the stateâ€™s hemp laws. The committee will be made up of members of the hemp industry as well as regulators and will be dissolved after two years.

â€œThis is a bill we simply have to pass for Hoosier farmers,â€ Head said. â€œIt will help them and help our economy.â€

Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington, noted this will open markets for Indiana farmers.

â€œThis bill is a big deal for farmers in the state,â€ said Sen. Mark Stoops, D-Bloomington. â€œThis will keep that money in Indiana, allow it to circulate.â€

One of the nine votes against the bill in the Senate came from Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, who said the bill does not do enough to fully regulate hemp within the state.

â€œMy no vote is not because I donâ€™t want this bill to go forward,â€ she said. â€œIâ€™m also convinced this bill does not yet do the job that we need to do. â€œ

Tallian has been an advocate for cannabis reform in Indiana for years and has authored bills related to marijuana since 2011. She was not the only cannabis reform advocate who chose to vote no on SB 516. Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, was one of three â€˜noâ€™ votes in the House, saying it would make legal businesses illegal and force them to close their doors.

â€œI want to know why we would be criminalizing a federally legal product,â€ said Lucas. â€œWe are criminalizing a federally legal product. I think weâ€™re at a place right now, weâ€™re putting politics above policy.â€

Rep. Dave Heine, R-New Haven, disagreed, saying that producing hemp would help farmers and the state economy.

â€œThis is a farm bill; this is an agricultural bill,â€ said Heine.Â â€œIf we donâ€™t pass this, we are really hurting our farmers in the state of Indiana, and we are the Garden of Eden to raise hemp.â€

FOOTNOTE: Andrew Longstreth is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE

04/28/2019

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“THE PORKER OF THE MONTH” UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE MIKE TURNER (R-OHIO)

SUBMITTED BY CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT WASTE

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has named Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) Porker of the Month for leading the effort to spend more taxpayer dollars on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) â€“ the most expensive weapons system in U.S. history. The F-35 has been plagued with a myriad of problems since its inception. The program has been in development for 17 years, is seven years behind schedule, and is $200 billion over budget. Despite these ongoing failures, on April 3 Rep. Turner, who co-chairs the House JSF Caucus, announced a proposal to purchase 102 additional F-35 aircraft. Rep. Turner praised the F-35â€™s supposed â€œunique capabilitiesâ€ less than one year after the House Armed Services Committee found that the F-35C â€œmay not have the range it needs to strike enemy targetsâ€ and that the JSF â€œmay actually have been out of date years ago.â€ For attempting to throw even more taxpayer dollars into the F-35 money pit, Rep. Turner is the April Porker of the Month. Read more about the Porker of the Month.

CCAGW Releases Annual Congressional Ratings

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) has released its annual Congressional Ratings, identifying those members of Congress who vote in the interests of taxpayers and those who waste taxpayer dollars. The latest edition of the Ratings examines 14 Senate and 55 House roll call votes related to tax, spending, transparency, and accountability measures. Five members of the House of Representatives and four Senators earned the coveted title of Taxpayer Super Hero by achieving the highest possible score of 100 percent. On the other end of the spectrum, seven representatives and 24 senators had a perfectly abysmal score of zero. CCAGW congratulates those members who stood by taxpayers and championed fiscal responsibility throughout the second session of the 115th Congress. Find out how your members of Congress stack up.

CCAGW Persuades House Republicans to Reject a Government Internet Takeover

In the weeks leading up to the April 10 vote in the House of Representatives on the so-called â€œSave the Internet Act,â€ CCAGW launched a digital advertising campaign urging House Republicans to vote against this Democratic legislative initiative. The Save the Internet Act would restore Obama Administration regulations of the internet that stifled investment, limited innovation, slowed deployment of the latest broadband technologies across the nation, and ultimately restricted economic growth. While the bill ultimately passed the Democratic-controlled House by a vote of 232 to 190, all but one Republican, Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.), voted against the measure, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has declared that the bill is â€œdead on arrivalâ€ in the Senate. Read more about the Democratsâ€™ proposed government takeover of the internet.

From â€œThe WasteWatcherâ€

In order to pay for California Governor Gavin Newsomâ€™s (D) bloated $209 billion budget, state legislators are looking to tax everything under the sun, explains CAGW Policy and Government Affairs Manager Peter Klensch on CAGWâ€™s blog, â€œThe WasteWatcher.â€ Among the proposals to increase revenue are new taxes and fees on soda, batteries, painkillers, telephones, new tires, notary registrations, and much more. The proposed tax on soda and sweetened beverages are among the most egregious, as regressive soda taxes have already failed in states like Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Washington. â€œThe last things Californians need right now are more taxes and more government intervention in their everyday lives. These paternalistic proposals signal that California continues to ignore its constituents, as it barrels toward becoming the ultimate nanny state,â€ concludes Klensch. Read more on â€œThe WasteWatcher,â€ CAGWâ€™s staff blog.

Ball State Math Professor Convicted Of Child Pornography And Exploitation Charges

04/28/2019

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Katie Stancombe for www.theindianalawyer.com

A former Ball State math professor convicted of child pornography and exploitation charges last year will have three of his convictions reversed after the Indiana Court of Appeals found some of the images of nude children he possessed did not explicitly depict â€œsexual conduct.â€

After Ball State University campus police were alerted to someone accessing child pornography on a classroom computer in May 2016, they discovered math instructor Brian Siebenaler in an empty classroom sitting behind a computer. As police entered the room, Sienbenaler frantically began closing windows on the computer, while officers noticed a flash drive inserted into the device.

Sienbenaler admitted to possessing photos of nude boys between the ages of 5 andÂ 15 on his flash drive, which he uploaded to an image-sharing website in graphics interchange format, commonly referred to as GIFs. Police conducted a search and found roughly 2,000 such images on his flash drive.

Siebenaler was later charged and convicted of four counts of possession of child pornography and four counts of child exploitation, receiving a sentence of four years on each count to be served concurrently, all suspended to probation.

All but one of the images presented to the Delaware Circuit Court showed the uncovered genitals of boys, while the remaining image showed one boy fondling another underneath his clothing. Judge Marianne L. Vorhees said she â€œhad problems determining whether, as a matter of law, these images were crimes, possessing these images, making these images was actually a crime.â€

Vorhees thus invited the Indiana Court of Appeals to look at the case, noting there was room for the COA to possibly reverse her determination. Similarly, on appeal, Sienbenaler argued the images did not depict â€œsexual conductâ€ as required by Indiana Code section 35-42-4-4, and that there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions.

The COA agreed with Sienbenaler that three of the images did not depict sexual conduct as defined under the statute and, thus, reversed two counts of child exploitation and one count of child pornography. It affirmed the remainder of his convictions inÂ Brian Siebenaler v. the State of Indiana, 18A-CR-1381.

Specifically, Sienbenaler argued the images at the question in the first seven counts only depicted â€œmere nudityâ€ and were, therefore, protected as free speech under the First Amendment. The appellate court rejected that argument on all counts, with the exception of one image listed under his child pornography convictions.

â€œAlthough the State argued at trial that Exhibits 9 shows that the boys were â€˜about to engage in oral sexâ€™ because the sitting boyâ€™s head is at the level of the standing boyâ€™s penis, we cannot agree with the Stateâ€™s characterization of this image,â€ Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik wrote for the unanimous court. â€œFirst, it is hard to tell the distance between the boys. Second, the boys are not touching each other or even looking at or acknowledging each other; rather, they just happen to be in the same photograph.â€

The appellate court came to the same conclusion regarding two images listed under Sienbenalerâ€™s child exploitation convictions, finding the images depicted boys â€œgetting depantsed and then quickly covering themselves or pulling up their pants or shorts.â€

The court further noted the GIFs were not focused on the genitals and were not sexually suggestive, but rather the genitals were barely visible in some of the images. It concluded by finding that none of the GIFS ended with genitals, and the appellate court, therefore, reversed Siebenalerâ€™s convictions on two of the child exploitation counts.

Driver Arrested for DUI while Transporting Unrestrained Three-Year-Old Son

04/28/2019

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Vanderburgh County â€“ This morning at approximately 5:15, Lieutenant Brian Bailey was patrolling the construction zone on US 41 near I-69 when he stopped the driver of a 2019 Nissan for driving 83 mph in the posted 45 mph zone. The driver was identified as Jarvis Green, 31, of Lawrenceville, IL. Greenâ€™s three-year-old son was found unrestrained in the back seat. Bailey also observed signs the driver may be impaired. Further investigation revealed Green was impairedÂ and had a blood alcohol content of .10%. Green was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond. The child was released to a relative.

Arrested and Charges:

Jarvis Green, 31, Lawrenceville, IL

Driving While Intoxicated with a Passenger less than 18 years old, Level 6 Felony
Driving without a Valid Driverâ€™s License
Child Restraint Violation
Â Speeding 83 mph/45 mph zone

Partnership Meeting/Sector Meetings

04/28/2019

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On May 1st at 6:00 pm at CK Newsome in the EPD Foundation meeting room, the Evansville Police Department will be having a combined South, East, and West Sector meeting.Â

This is being called a Partnership Meeting.Â All of the Crime Prevention Officers will be in attendance that night.Â This is just a trial meeting for the month of May.Â So, instead of each Sector having their own meeting in May they will all meet together.

IS IT TIME FOR THE “CALL TO ASSEMBLE?

04/28/2019

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People are getting sick and tired of the political promises and games of our elected and appointed officials. Â Do you remember back in the Sixties when the “Masses Assembled” to voice their grievances against the government?Â These protests changed the direction of this Nation for years to come.

Some people feel the local political environment is becoming ripe for the “Masses to Assemble” to protest in a positive, creative and non-violent way against the wasteful spending habits of local elected and appointed on public worksÂ projects.

Some feel that Its time to challenge the out of control nepotism and political patronage practices at the Civic Center. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Many of our working poor are facing another day working at a minimum wage job without benefits. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Some of our local elementary schools continue to post F grades while our extremely well paid Â EVSC Administrators create new slogans and workshops in an attempt to attack this unacceptable problem without measurable results.Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

The EVSC Administration and elected School Board to continue to reject Local 215 Teamsters reasonable request to work out a solution to settle labor contract issues. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

DMD have been purchasing vacant lots and dilapidated property on North Main way over assessed value. Â DMD also has given hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars for Facade Grants to political supporters of the Mayor? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Gail Riecken has been criticizing the Mayor for his over-spending habits. Â Isn’t it time that Mrs. Riecken tells us what she is going to do differently if she elected Mayor? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Do you want to know what Mayor Winnecke’s plans are for the future of Evansville if he’s re-elected? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Crime is rampant in certain sections of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wards seemly without a workable plan to attack this issue in a positive way. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Are you tired of our elected officials awarding Legal, Development, Consulting and Construction contracts to out of town individuals and firms? Â Could this be a reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Would you like to know why Gail Riecken decided to join fellow Democrats in Urbana, IllinoisÂ to boycott the Republican “Anti-Working Family” legislation? Â Could this be a reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Are you feed up with the practice of out of town firms that donate money to elected officials campaigns being awarded City contracts? Â Could this be a reason for a “Call To Assemble”? Â Â

Do you want know if Gail Riecken is benefiting from the LST contract with the City? Â Could this be a reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Are you upset that a few members of City Council wasted $200,000 of our tax dollars on the Earthcare Energy project?Â Could this be a good reason for aÂ “Call To Assemble”?

Are you concerned that the Mayor continues to support deficit spending without regard to budgetary constraints? Â Could this be a reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Our Sewer and Water Systems are dilapidated and will cost the ratepayers many millions of dollars to repair. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

The City Employee Health Care Fund as of June 30, 2015, owes Medical providers about $4 million dollars. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Do you think its’ appropriateÂ that our part-time City Council members receive a $20,000 Health Insurance benefit package paid by the taxpayers? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Do youÂ agree with the decision of the Mayor and City Council giving the Developer of the Downtown Hotel over $20Â million dollars without havingÂ ZERO ownership? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Are you concerned that the Mayor and City Council committed exactly $57 million dollars to the I U Medical School and the State only put $25 million towards this project? Â It’s important to point out that Evansville hasÂ ZERO ownership. in this project when it is finished. Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Are you concerned that about 2,000Â Â IVY Tech medical students have been left out of theÂ Â Medical School project? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”? Â

Do you feel that its time that our soon to be elected Â City Officials be encouraged to become “Good Stewards of the Public Trust? Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Are you aware that City-County Officials have discreetly increased our property tax assessment over the last several years which in turn have increased our property taxes? Â Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”? Â

When the people fear the Government we have Tyranny! Â When the Government fears the people we have Liberty! Â Â Could this be a good reason for a “Call To Assemble”?

Please take time and vote in todayâ€™s “Readers Poll”. Â Don’t miss reading todayâ€™s IS IT TRUE articles because they are always an interesting read.

freedom on information Request rules

04/28/2019

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Below are links for state laws pertaining to Freedom of Information Act requests:

http://iga.in.gov/static-documents/0/8/2/b/082bff0b/TITLE5_AR14_ch3.pdf

http://www.hammond.lib.in.us/PDF/PublicAccess/Indianas%20Public%20Access%20Laws.pdf

Gov. Holcomb Public Schedule for April 29

04/28/2019

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INDIANAPOLIS â€“ Below find Gov. Eric J. Holcombâ€™s public schedule for April 29, 2019.

Monday, April 29: Bill Signing for HEA 1001

WHO:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gov. Holcomb
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch
Speaker of the House Brian Bosma
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray
Various lawmakers and community members

WHAT:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The governor will sign the budget bill.

WHEN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 1 p.m., Monday, April 29

WHERE:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Indiana Statehouse
Rotunda
200 W. Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN 46204

SENATOR BRAUN’S WEEKLY UPDATE

04/28/2019

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APRIL SOLUTIONS TOUR –

This week, Senator Braun continued his two-week Solutions Tour across Indiana, listening to Hoosiers’ feedback on his first 100 days of progress in Washington.Â

“This Tax Day, we celebrate higher wages, record economic optimism, record low unemployment and Hoosier families taking more of their paychecks homeÂ as a result of Republicans’ pro-growth policies of tax reform and regulatory certainty.”

Senator Braun kicked off his April Solutions Tour with a joint Tax Day op-edÂ in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette with Senator Todd Young on the stellar economic growthÂ the Trump tax cuts have spurredÂ for Hoosier families and businesses.

“U.S. Sen. Mike Braun painted a picture of dysfunction and complacency in Washington, D.C., during a visit to Tipton on Tuesday to discuss his policy views and experiences since taking his seat in the Capitol in January. “

“‘I knew the place was dysfunctional and gummed up and just not moving,” he said. “It’s a little worse than I thought.'”

Read Carson Gerber’s full story for the Kokomo Tribune on Senator Braun’s stop in Tipton County to discuss lowering prescription drug costs and breaking through gridlock in Washington.

“Rounding out his first 100 days in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Mike Braun met with Indiana business, governmental and educational leaders at Ivy Tech Community College to discuss his introduced Senate Bill 1072, the Pell Flexibility Act of 2019. As a longtime employer himself, Braunâ€™s unique understanding of the need for a skilled workforce is benefiting not only Indiana, but also the nation.”

Read Jennifer Ping’s full story on Senator Braun’s roundtable with Governor Holcomb andÂ Ivy Tech leaders to discuss his recent Pell Flexibility Act to address the workforce skills gap.

Senator Braun spoke with ABC57 at his Solutions Tour stop in Valparaiso, discussing everything from his prescription drug pricing bills to the presidential election and the consequences of the Mueller report.

Senator Braun spoke to WTHI-TV in Terre Haute during a visit to the town to discuss keeping the American economy roaring and taking on healthcare prices.

Read the full story by Howard Greninger for the Terre Haute Tribune Star for Senator Braun’s comments from the Terre Haute Chamber Freshman Forum on prison reform, defense spending, higher education reform, expanding broadband internet access to rural Indiana, and trimming down the world’s biggest business: the federal government.

“This week marks 100 days since I took the oath to serve Hoosiers in the U.S. Senate, and while Iâ€™ve discovered Washington is even more gummed up than I ever imagined, you sent me here to get results.

“One hundred days in, Iâ€™m proud to report weâ€™re making headway on a number of items Hoosiers sent me here to speak up on:Â protecting the unborn, confirming conservative judicial nominations, curtailing congressional perks and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.Â

Read Senator Braun’s full 100 Days op-ed in his hometown paper, the Dubois County Herald.

HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE

04/28/2019

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