INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed two measures into law that carry the imprint of many hours of work by State Rep. Gail Riecken (D-Evansville). One provides a new and creative means for Hoosier families to save money, while the other brings long-needed regulations of motorized scooters across the state.
“There have not been many highlights this legislative session, but I am pleased to see that both of these proposals will become law,†Riecken said. “They are the product of input from area citizens, as well as a bipartisan desire to enact the kinds of valuable ideas that benefit the lives of many Hoosiers.â€
House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1235, authored by the Evansville lawmaker, allows state-chartered credit unions to offer savings promotional raffles. In these raffles, individuals would be rewarded for opening and maintaining savings accounts or participating in financial literacy programs. With each deposit into the account, a person would receive an entry into a raffle with cash prizes.
“The idea behind this legislation came from discussions I have had with constituents about the fact that many people are forced into pursuing high-interest loans to pay for everyday emergencies like a car breaking down or a plumbing problem,†Riecken said. “The core problem here is that people simply are not saving money like they should.
“Through HEA 1235, we can encourage people to get savings accounts that can help when they have unexpected expenses or have a sudden drop in their income,†she continued. “They can never lose their balance and the interest they accrue and they can have the chance to win more money while they learn to save.â€
Riecken credited State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland), chairman of the House Financial Institutions Committee, and State Reps. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) and Tom Dermody (R-LaPorte) for helping pass the measure through the House, and State Sens. Travis Holdman (R-Markle), John Broden (D-South Bend) and Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) for getting the bill through the Indiana Senate.
Efforts to regulate motorized scooters, or mopeds, have been a part of Riecken’s agenda the past three sessions. They come in response to alarming statistics that show alarming increases in the numbers of people killed and injured in accidents involving scooters and mopeds over the past decade.
“House Enrolled Act 1343 provides a clear definition of what these vehicles are, requires the owners and operators of mopeds to have proper licensing, and sets up a system to make sure drivers are trained in moped safety,†Riecken said.
“This truly has been a collective effort at many levels, including many in the Vanderburgh County legislative delegation, city and county officials, local law enforcement and those dedicated folks who work for the many neighborhood associations in our area,†she added.
“They were brought together by the concern that something had to be done to stem the tide of injuries and fatalities involving those who ride these motorized scooters,†Riecken concluded. “This year, we have finally succeeded in making our streets significantly safer.â€
 The City County Observer and Woods and Woods Tri-StateVoices show will be aires on ME TV TRI-STATE today at 11:30 am. This weeks show special guest will be City of Evansville Chief of Police Billy Bolin.  The Tri-State Voices show was created by the City County Observer, recorded and edited by Wood and Woods law firm and produced by ME TV TRI-STATE.  The shows host is be well known lawyer Mike Woods. The Tri-StateVoices program features current topics and issues of importance to this region.  This public affairs program is 30 minutes in  length.To view todays show please go to the following TV Channels.  Channels 36.1 and 20.1.  WOW 105.  Insight -186  and Time Warner -3 and 14.
