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Public Money Won’t Be Used By Indiana AG Curtis Hill To Fight Civil Cases

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Public Money Won’t Be Used By Indiana AG Curtis Hill To Fight Civil Cases

DECEMBER 23RD, 2018 AMANDA DECKER INDIANA

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s private attorney said he doesn’t plan to take any public funds to defend Hill against any discrimination or civil claims eventually filed by a lawmaker and three legislative staffers who say Hill drunkenly groped them at a party in March.

Employment attorney Kevin Betz told The Indianapolis Star he won’t take state money, despite a draft of the contract that showed his firm, Betz + Blevins, would receive up to $100,000 in public money to represent Hill and the attorney general’s office. Betz, a longtime friend of Hill’s, would receive $550 an hour under the draft contract, first disclosed by the Star.

“I do not plan to take any public money for representing the state of Indiana, Curtis T. Hill or the Office of the Attorney General as to any of the facts asserted in the four (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) charges,” Betz said.

Hill spokesman Chris Proffitt said Betz’s firm is representing the state free of charge against the claims that four women have filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“There is no legal action pending against Curtis Hill,” Proffitt noted. “The only filings, at this time, have been EEOC charges filed against the state of Indiana.”

A special prosecutor declined in October to pursue any criminal charges against Hill, despite a state report that witnesses said Hill touched the women inappropriately during the March party at an Indianapolis bar. Hill has denied groping the four women, including Democratic state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon.

So far, Hill hasn’t used any public funds to defend himself, instead of drawing on campaign money and creating a legal defense fund.

While public officials to use taxpayer funds to defend themselves in lawsuits related to acts that happened while they were acting in the capacity of a state employee, using such funds would be difficult to justify in Hill’s case, said Jennifer Drobac, an Indiana University law professor who studies sexual harassment.

“It’s perfectly understandable for Hoosiers to pick up the bill when a state employee is doing something they were supposed to be doing,” she said. “When Curtis Hill goes into a bar and (inappropriately touches women), that is nowhere near what he is supposed to be doing. I don’t know why taxpayers should be paying for it.”

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Warm Wishes To You And Your Family

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As we look to the new year, we are thankful for all we have accomplished and find inspiration to achieve even more in 2019.
For those still searching for unique holiday gifts, consider a DNR gift pack, memberships to the Indiana State Museum, or gift certificates for state hunting, trapping or fishing licenses.
Teaming with The Salvation Army is a great way to spread Christmas cheer, whether through the Angel Tree Program, grocery and food assistance, bill-pay assistance or volunteering at holiday events dedicated to those in need.
This holiday season, may you have an abundance of happiness, good tidings and joy. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS ON JANUARY 12, 2019

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ADOPT A PET

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EPA Announces $40 Million in Funding to Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines

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Grant funding prioritized for areas facing air quality challenges

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of grant funding to implement projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of older diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds. Applicants in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas can apply for up to $2.5 million in funds.
“By financially supporting projects that upgrade aging diesel engines, EPA is helping improve their efficiency and reduce air pollution throughout the nation,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “From our grant programs to our new Cleaner Trucks Initiative, EPA is taking important steps to help modernize heavy-duty trucks and provide cleaner, more efficient methods of transportation that will protect the environment and keep our economy growing.”

“In EPA Region 6, DERA funding has helped schools, municipalities, and even airports contribute to improving air quality,” said Regional Administrator Anne Idsal. “We encourage a wide variety of applicants to take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade their fleets and be part of cleaner, healthier communities.”

Diesel-powered engines move approximately 90 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage, and today nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines.

EPA is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating at goods movements facilities in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for funding will also be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended.

EPA anticipates releasing a separate Tribal Clean Diesel funding opportunity in late 2019.

In October, during Children’s Health Month, EPA announced the availability of approximately $9 million in rebates to public school bus fleet owners to help replace or upgrade older engines. This is the sixth rebate program to fund cleaner school buses under DERA, that have supported nearly 25,000 cleaner buses across the country for America’s school children.

 

 

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AG Curtis Hill supports efforts to reinstate citizenship question to 2020 census questionnaire

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Attorney General Curtis Hill has joined a multistate legal brief supporting plans by the federal government to reinstate a citizenship question to the 2020 census questionnaire. The brief was filed in opposition to a lawsuit by 17 other states against the U.S. Department of Commerce, of which the U.S. Census Bureau is part.

Amid other legal complaints, the suing states claim that asking census respondents whether they are citizens denies equal protection by discriminating against racial minorities. Attorneys general of the suing states have described the citizenship question as a tool for intimidating states that welcome immigrants. Such objections amount to baseless rhetoric, Attorney General Hill said.

“The federal government is well within its rightful authority to ask census respondents whether they are citizens,” Attorney General Hill said. “In fact, a negative response does not necessarily mean that the respondent is here illegally. Those with work or student visas are not U.S. citizens but are here lawfully.”

Further, the Census Bureau is statutorily prohibited from sharing any data in which an individual can be identified, Attorney General Hill noted. Individual responses are considered confidential under the law, withheld even from law enforcement. The value of the census instead lies in the bulk data it provides to policymakers and the public.

Regardless of individuals’ varying perspectives on immigration policy, Attorney General Hill said, Americans across the political spectrum should be able to achieve consensus supporting the basic value of collecting demographic information on U.S. residents.

“Crafting practical solutions to the millions of illegal immigrants already here,” Attorney General Hill said, “does not require that we abandon the collection of data points, such as citizenship status, that can aid us in developing critical solutions to our many pressing problems.”

As part of their complaint, the suing states have attempted to depose U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and other officials. The brief joined by Indiana opposes such tactics as intrusive depositions of government officials that, if allowed to stand, would encourage increased and unnecessary litigation burdens for state and federal officials.

The Census Bureau included a citizenship question on its “long form” questionnaire from 1970 until the 2010 census. With the discontinuance of this practice in 2010, state legislators have faced the prospect of depending on the less reliable American Community Survey (ACS) for information regarding citizenship.

November Indiana Employment Report

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Private Sector Employment Reaches Preliminary Record Peak

Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.6 percent for November and remains lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent. With the exception of one month when it was equal (October 2014), Indiana’s unemployment rate now has been below the U.S. rate for more than five years. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force.

Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 2,216 over the previous month. This was a result of a 2,122 increase in unemployed residents and an increase of 94 employed residents. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.40 million, and the state’s 65.1 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 62.9 percent.

Learn more about how unemployment rates are calculated here: http://www.hoosierdata.in.gov/infographics/employment-status.asp.

November 2018 Employment Charts

Employment by Sector

Private sector employment has grown by more than 25,900 over the year, and has increased by 2,800 over the previous month, primarily due to gains in the Manufacturing (3,100) and the Private Educational and Health Services (1,900) sectors. Gains were partially offset by losses in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,000) and the Leisure and Hospitality (-1,000) sectors. Total private employment reached a preliminary record highpoint of 2,714,800, which is 25,900 above the official December 2017 peak. The new November 2018 peak, like all data within this report, is subject to monthly revisions and annual benchmarking. In addition, preliminary Construction jobs continue to be at the highest level since April 2008.

Midwest Unemployment Rates

November 2018 Midwest Unemployment Rates

  

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Data are sourced from November Current Employment Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

November employment data for Indiana Counties, Cities and MSAs will be available Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018, at noon (Eastern) pending U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics validation.

THEN AND NOW

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USI announces the 2019 Hall of Fame Class

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The University of Southern Indiana Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the selection of the 2019 USI Athletic Hall of Fame class that will be inducted during homecoming week in February. The class of seven individuals was selected by a nine-member USI Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. Any Screaming Eagles fan was eligible to nominate student athletes or teams on the 10th anniversary of their last season of competition, or a coach/administrator who has been separated from the Department of Athletics for two years. Special individuals (e.g., Varsity Club members) also were eligible for nominations as well. This year’s class includes Laura Ellerbusch Schnur ’07 (Volleyball, 2002-05); Kristen Eickholt Lichtensteiger ’08 (Softball, 2005-08); Dennis Humphrey ’92 (Baseball, 1990-91; Men’s Basketball 1987-90); Paul Jellema ’07 (Men’s Cross Country/Track, 2005-08); Matt Keener ’05 M’12 (Baseball, 2003-06); Greg Orr ’95 (Baseball, 1991-94); and Tom Rehl ’87 (Men’s Cross Country/Track 1982-86). “I continue to be amazed by the amount of outstanding student-athletes and teams this University has had,” said USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall. “The Class of 2019 truly represents our growing tradition here at USI. The seven individuals that will be honored in February are truly worthy of this extraordinary honor. I know that the entire USI community is proud of this class and what it accomplished while at USI.” In addition to the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2019, USI is inducting Marvin Smith and Jim Will, Sr., into the Athletic Hall of Distinction for contributions to the success of the University’s varsity programs. Reservations for the February 2 induction ceremony must be made in advance and can be made by calling (812) 465-1022 or emailing Mandi Fulton at mfulton@usi.edu. 2019 USI ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS Laura Ellerbusch Schnur ’07 (Volleyball, 2002-05): Schnur was a 2004 AVCA All-American, a four-time All-Region, and three-time All-GLVC performer during her four seasons. She also was a AVCA National Player of the Week and Academic All-District. Schnur remains ranked first in hitting percentage, seventh in total blocks and block assists, and eighth in kills all-time at USI. Kristen Eickholt Lichtensteiger ’08 (Softball, 2005-08): Lichtensteiger graduated cum laude after being a four-year starter at third base. She ranks number one all-time in doubles (including the single-season record) and remains ranked ninth all-time in hits and runs; sixth in home runs; and tied for third in RBIs. The three-time All-GLVC and two-time All-Region player also earned a pair of Academic All-District honors. Dennis Humphrey ’92 (Baseball, 1990-91; Men’s Basketball 1987-90): Humphrey was a two-sport player for USI (basketball and baseball), earning preseason All-American honors for baseball in 1991. He finished his baseball career ranked eighth all-time in batting average and held the all-time record for home runs until 2018. Humphrey also is second in shutouts and ranks 14th all-time in ERA. In basketball, he is 32nd all-time in scoring and 13th in rebounding. Paul Jellema ’07 (Men’s Cross Country/Track, 2005-08): Jellema was one of USI’s top competitors between 2005 and 2008, earning four-All-American awards (two in cross country, one in indoor track, and one in outdoor track. He also was the NCAA II Great Lakes Region Outdoor Track & Field Male Athlete of the Year in 2007. He also earned five All-GLVC honors, while winning three individual GLVC titles and one GLVC relay championship. Matt Keener ’05 M’12 (Baseball, 2003-06): Keener was a two-time first-team Academic All-American (USI’s first two-time first-team performer) and four-time Academic All-GLVC student athlete. He also was a three-time All-GLVC performer as a pitcher, outfielder, and infielder. Keener ranks ninth all-time in slugging percentage; 14th in total bases; 14th in RBIs; tied for 13th in home runs; 23rd in hits; tied for 22nd in runs scored. He also had a 3-3 mark and a 3.88 ERA in 34 games on the mound. Greg Orr ’95 (Baseball, 1991-94): Orr was one of USI’s most consistent right-handed pitchers to ever play for the Eagles. He was a first-team All-GLVC performer in 1994 and was named a Player to Watch by Collegiate Baseball in 1994. He finished his career as USI’s all-time winningest pitcher and remains ranked third all-time. Orr also ranked second in complete games and fifth in strikeouts and innings pitched. He was a member of USI’s first back-to-back 40 win teams and appeared in three NCAA II Tournaments with the Eagles and also was a part of the staff that won the GLVC title in 1993. Tom Rehl ’87 (Men’s Cross Country/Track 1982-86): Rehl was a member of the cross country and track teams from 1982 to 1986 teams. He was a top-10 runner in the GLVC, finishing second in 1984 and 1985, while earning All-America honors after finishing 25th at the 1985 NCAA II National Championships. He continues to hold USI marks in the 1,000 yards, Mile, and 1500m.

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