Patrick Lockhart of Indiana University Campaigning for State Rep-91

By Scottie Thomas

Many college students spend their time attending classes, studying, possibly working a job and balancing a social life in the midst of their academic endeavors.  One, Patrick Lockhart, a sophomore at Indiana University is doing that and more.  He is running for State Representative for 91 at the age of 20.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lockhart attended Roncalli High School and graduated in 2012.  ‘Indiana is a wonderful state. I definitely plan on staying here. After my run for office or service at the statehouse is complete, I want to focus on finishing school and settling down,’ said Lockhart.

‘I honestly chose IU because I wanted to attend a bigger school where I could really get to experience diversity,’ said Lockhart.  ‘Fortunately, I also got a good scholarship to here, and my brother was a Hoosier at the time. It was an obvious choice. I’m majoring in Political Science, with plans of attending law school after graduation.’

A State Representative has a relatively simple job; listen to the concerns of their constituents, take care of local issues through legislative action, and find resources to help the district become as successful as possible. They are elected as most elected officials are, first through a primary race and then are again voted on in the general election.

His decision to run came when Lockhart attempted to contact his legislator and didn’t get any answer from the individual.  At that point Lockhart basically decided that enough was enough. Politics as an institution is completely dysfunctional.

‘On top of that, my generation is going to inherit all of the problems that are being created- or not being addressed that exists today.  We cannot afford to wait to get involved in this system,’ said Lockhart.  ‘A common trait among the younger politicians, such as myself, is fatigue with party politics. Instead of putting labels on groups, legislation, or ideas, we are committed to finding real solutions and putting people over party. We don’t have enough of this in the Indiana Statehouse’

Using the methods of social media and modern resources in technology, Lockhart has his own website: www.lockhartfor91.com and people may follow the candidate for Indiana on Twitter @PatLockhart for his campaign trail including appearances and fundraising.

‘I’ve discovered that fundraising, though an entirely essential part of a campaign is an art that needs to be mastered. I’m learning it as I go, yet it has been much more difficult than I anticipated,’ said Lockhart.  ‘Fortunately, I have gotten an overwhelmingly amount of positive responses to my run for office. I was lucky enough to get an article written on my campaign by CNN in the wake of the shutdown.’

‘I would honestly have to say that the most interesting people I have met thus far are the local leaders throughout the district. They are members of Civic Councils and Education Boards, owners of small businesses and active members of their community. They are the public servants who really inspire me in my run for office,’ said Lockhart.  ‘Next, though, I would like to meet with other like-minded leaders, who are sick of the way things are and want to bring back effective government at all levels.’

This young man has the drive, ambition and composure to succeed in politics.  ‘I would encourage all young people to take action to change the things they don’t like, at whatever level that is,’ said Lockhart.  ‘We certainly do have a voice and we can certainly make it heard if we put our minds to it.’

 Organization Day was Nov. 19, which kicked off the 2014 legislative session. While this day is mostly ceremonial, the Speaker of the House, Brian Bosma, outlined some of his priorities and expectations for the upcoming year. We will be focusing on jobs, economic development, education and infrastructure. These are the main priorities, but I will also be addressing other issues that impact Hoosiers.

I will be authoring a bill concerning sudden cardiac arrest awareness. This is actually a bill that I introduced during the 2013 legislative session as well; however, due to the large number of complex issues being discussed in the Education Committee, it did not receive a hearing. Despite this, the legislation was referred to a summer study committee, the Commission on Education, to be explored in greater detail.

When you hear “sudden cardiac arrest,” what comes to mind? Chances are, you probably think of an older individual; however not only is sudden cardiac arrest one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but it is also affecting our youth at an alarming rate. In fact, each day, this medical emergency affects about 16 people under the age of 18.

The bill that I will introduce will be implemented in all Indiana schools that have an organized sports program from elementary school all the way up to the collegiate level and will address the issue in three essential ways. First, and perhaps most importantly, it will raise awareness. This will be accomplished by requiring the Department of Education to provide an online program for coaches, parents and athletes which would teach them about the nature and risk of sudden cardiac arrest as well as what signs to be on the lookout for. These signs include fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pains, dizziness or an abnormal racing heart.

Second, this bill will require a player to be benched if they exhibit any of these warning signs. This will be the case during a game or even a team practice. Before the player will be allowed to return to the game or practice, they will have to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

This brings us to the third and final provision which will classify athletic trainers as healthcare providers. These individuals are already trained and certified in this area, and it is purely an oversight that they are not already labeled as healthcare providers. Many schools already employ an athletic trainer, so they would now be able to evaluate a student if necessary.

When we discussed this topic in the summer study committee, we heard testimony of not only local support but also national support. Indiana is not standing alone in this battle. Currently, there is similar legislation pending in Pennsylvania, Iowa and six other states.

When it comes to children and their well-being, we can never be too careful. As a respiratory therapist, former youth softball coach and grandfather, I am proud to carry this legislation. To me, anytime that we can take an added measure to protect student athletes, it is worth it. The fact that this legislation will come at absolutely no cost whatsoever to the state is simply an added bonus. I truly hope that 2014 is the year that we take this big step towards sudden cardiac arrest awareness and subsequently, lives saved.

By Lesley Weidenbener
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – A federal appeals court has ruled that an Indiana law banning most political calls that use automated dialers and recorded messages doesn’t violate federal consumer protection rules.

But the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals sent a case back to a lower court to decide whether the state law violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“This decision confirms the position we have been advocating for over a decade in every forum where our telephone privacy laws have been challenged,” Attorney General Greg Zoeller said in a statement. “Federal law bearing on telemarketing simply does not preclude broader state prohibitions.”

But he acknowledged that the lower court will now be reviewing the law again – this time in light of constitutional questions.

“My office will continue to enforce and defend the state’s telephone privacy laws, but there is more work ahead to ensure Hoosiers are protected from annoying and intrusive robocalls,” Zoeller said.

At issue is an Indiana law that applies to commercial and non-commercial speech and prohibits automated, pre-recorded calls unless a live operator introduces the message. Schools are exempted, as are organizations that receive a consumers’ permission to call.

The General Assembly passed the law more than 25 years ago but it was not initially enforced against political parties, campaigns or special interest groups. Over the years, those groups used robo-calls for a variety of purposes – such as sending reminders for voters to request absentee ballots or go to the polls, delivering endorsements from prominent politicians, or criticizing opponents – because they are cheaper than calls made by volunteers or paid-professionals.

But in 2006, then-Attorney General Steve Carter announced he would enforce the law in regard to political calls, too. The Indiana Republican and Democratic parties went along with the decision, but outside groups continued to make the calls and Carter moved to fine the offenders.

One of those groups – American Family Voices, which was using the autodialing machines in the 9^thCongressional District race between Democrat Baron Hill and Republican Mike Sodrel – sued the state, leading to an Indiana Supreme Court ruling that upheld the law.

Then in 2010, Patriotic Veterans, a political advocacy organization based in Illinois, sued the state in federal court, challenging that the law violated the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act as well as the free speech clause of the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. Judge William Lawrence of Indiana’s Southern District decided in 2011 that the state law violates the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which regulates calls made from one state to another. He did not then rule on the constitutional question.

The state appealed, leading to the appeals court decision on Thursday.

“The plain language (of federal law) dictates that the Indiana statute is not expressly preempted,” the appeals court said. “This is true whether the Indiana statute is one that merely regulates autodialed interstate calls or prohibits them.”

But the ruling said the district court should now have the opportunity to consider the constitutional question.

Lesley Weidenbener is the executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

By Lesley Weidenbener
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The state’s unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent in October – a full percentage point lower than it was just three months ago.

That’s the largest quarterly drop the state has experienced in two decades.

Gov. Mike Pence called the improvement a “testament to the resilience of the hard-working people of Indiana, the businesses of our state and the policies that we have been embracing during these difficult times.”

“Indiana’s pro-growth policies of fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and less red tape are giving Hoosier businesses the confidence to grow and attracting new investment and jobs to our state,” he said. “Our progress in education and workforce is attracting renewed interest in investment in Indiana. Because of our efforts, Indiana’s private sector job growth continues to significantly outpace the national average.”

Still, Indiana’s unemployment rate remained higher in October than the national rate of 7.3 but equal to or lower than most of its neighbors’ rates.

Private sector employment in Indiana grew by 6,600 jobs in October, with gains concentrated in the manufacturing, construction and private educational and health services.

And at 8.5 percent, Indiana’s rate of private sector growth  has continued to significantly outpace the national average o6.5 percent since July 2009, the low point of employment in Indiana.

“Indiana’s unemployment rate is more than one percentage point below where it was in January, which is definitely significant” said Scott Sanders, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “The steady private sector job growth the Hoosier state has been experiencing for some time now is finally beginning to be reflected in the unemployment rate, which many businesses and individuals rely on to make important economic decisions.”

The number of unemployed Hoosiers has also dropped by more than 27,000 during the past three months, while Indiana’s labor force has grown by 6,000. Claims for unemployment insurance this year remain at their lowest levels since 2000.

“Despite today’s encouraging news, there are still far too many Hoosiers struggling in this economy, and we cannot afford to let up in our effort to make Indiana even more attractive for investment and jobs,” Pence said.

Pence and legislative leaders say they intend to focus on job- and economic development-related issues during the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

AG Zoeller offers several tips to avoid being ripped off

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today warned storm victims of illegitimate contractors who may knock at your door and try to pressure you into a bad deal.

Fly-by-night contractors often travel to weather-related disaster areas to offer home repair, clean-up, debris removal and tree-trimming services. Zoeller said Hoosiers should know their rights and fully research the company before signing a contract.

“Bogus contractors prey on homeowners who are desperate to have repairs made quickly. That’s why letting your guard down and not checking out the company could leave you with unfinished work and an unsafe home,” Zoeller said. “If a contractor pressures you to make a quick decision, your decision should be no.”

The Attorney General’s office offers several tips to be avoid being ripped off by a contractor:

• Get a written contract before any work is performed or payment is made. Indiana law requires home improvement contracts exceeding $150 to be in writing;
• Before signing the contract, make certain it includes the cost, payment schedule, description of work, estimated start and completion dates, contractor’s contact information and contractor’s signature.
• If you receive an insurance check, have it made out in your name to maintain control of the funds and do not sign it over to your contractor;
• Do not pay more than one-third of the total cost of the project as a down payment. Remaining payments should be tied to completion of specified amounts of work;
• Don’t make the final payment to the contractor until you know that all subcontractors and/or suppliers have been paid. Get written proof of payment. Subcontractors and suppliers may file a mechanics lien against your home if they haven’t been paid; and
• Keep all records related to your project including the contract, change orders, warranties and any correspondence should problems arise.

Any consumers who feel they have been ripped off are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.

Zoeller also said Hoosiers should look out for possible charity scams and visitwww.IndianaConsumer.com for help on how to recognize red flags. Consumers can visitwww.CharityNavigator.org to assist in identifying legitimate relief organizations and determine how much of their donations are used to help victims rather than on administrative overhead.