I thought you might like to read what my friend and legislative colleague, Greg Porter, has to say about some of the political posturing going on up at the Statehouse in the wake of a 2013 legislation that I have had to characterize as one of “squandered opportunities:”

Don’t believe Republican tax cut talk: their “tax cuts” are phantom

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Greg Porter (D-Indianapolis), ranking Democrat on the Indiana House Ways & Means Committee, today issued the following statement responding to Republican claims about the “tax cuts” enacted during the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly:

“People have come to expect overheated rhetoric about legislative accomplishments, but the Republican claims that this past session saw the largest tax cuts in Indiana history simply are not passing any sort of sniff test. I know that sounds nice and juicy and large and makes for good headlines, but these are phantom tax cuts that offer little relief where it is needed the most.

“Let us examine some of the ‘work’ that has been done:

“Hoosiers will see their state income tax rate cut from 3.4 to 3.3 percent, effective January 1, 2015. Not now, not next year, but the year after that. Then they will have to wait another two years—January 1, 2017, to be exact—before seeing it cut from 3.3 to 3.23 percent.

“What will that cut mean for the average Hoosier, who makes about $50,000 a year? In two years, it will mean about a buck a week. Two years after that, another buck a week in savings.

“And that, for all the talk about these cuts, is what most Hoosiers are going to see from this legislative ‘windfall.’

“Most of us will see nothing from the elimination of the inheritance tax, unless we have relatives die. Most of us don’t own corporations and financial institutions, so we won’t benefit from reductions in taxes affecting those areas.

“If we are to be honest as well, we might as well admit that some of these tax cuts—inheritance, for example—already have been in effect for a few years now.

“In 2012, we began the process of phasing out the inheritance tax over a nine-year period. That we decided to speed it up doesn’t mean we already weren’t heading down the road. We just aren’t being completely honest about how many will benefit from its elimination.

“Cutting taxes has been a bipartisan tradition for quite a few years now.

“In 1997, when Democrats controlled the House, we cut property and income taxes. In 1999, when Democrats controlled the House, we cut property taxes again. In 2002, when Democrats controlled the House, we repealed the corporate gross income tax and cut property taxes again. In 2004, when Democrats controlled the House, we began the process of phasing out the inventory tax. In 2007, when Democrats controlled the House, we cut property taxes again. In 2008, when Democrats controlled the House, we enacted the largest property tax cut in history.

“I would argue any or all of these cuts were as substantial as those passed this year.”

——————————————————————————–

As always, please contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns related to our state government. Here is how you can stay in touch: call my office toll-free at 1-800-382-9842; write to me in care of the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204; or email me at h77@iga.in.gov.

Knox County – Monday night, April 29, at approximately 9:59, a Knox County Deputy was driving down Wilbur Street in Vincennes when he was flagged down by friends of Ross A. Darkis, 42, who resided at 215 Wilbur Street. Darkis was intoxicated and was in possession of a handgun on his front porch. He had been arguing with his girlfriend earlier in the evening and was very upset according to his friends. Additional officers from Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Vincennes City Police arrived. Officers attempted to get Darkis to surrender his weapon, but he refused. Officers used a taser and a weapon that discharges a small bean-bag in attempt to diffuse the situation, but both non-lethal weapons were unsuccessful. At approximately 10:25 p.m., Darkis raised the handgun he was holding toward the officers. In order to protect themselves and other officers on scene, several of the officers fired their weapons. Darkis was struck multiple times and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes where he was pronounced dead several minutes later. The identity of the Vincennes City Police Officers and Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy involved in the shooting are not being released at this time. No officers were injured.

The investigation is continuing.

DECEASED:
• Ross A. Darkis, 42, 215 Wilbur Street, Vincennes, IN

Please join Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, University of Southern Indiana students, and representatives from Deaconess Health System and Old National Bank at a news conference Tuesday, April 30, at 10 a.m. at The Pagoda to announce details for “We Are Evansville” month in June and how the public can get involved in a “grassroots video project” and community pride campaign.

AARON LEWIS
SUNDAY, JUNE 23RD, 2013
VICTORY THEATRE – EVANSVILLE, IN

Jägermeister, a brand as deeply rooted in music as it is in mythology and lore, is proud to announce
their 2013 County Tour with music star Aaron Lewis. The tour kicks off May 1st with 23 shows across the nation, with
each show featuring special guest support acts including Jägermeister artist and emcee, Rick Monroe.

Jägermeister, the 7th largest selling premium spirit in the world and #1 selling imported liqueur in the United States, has a
long history of supporting musicians of all genres, from local bands to national acts. The brand has spent almost two
decades developing artists and has seen many go from obscurity to the top of their fields. Now in its fourth year, the
Jägermeister Country Music Tour has featured some of the finest in country music including Pat Green, Eric Church and
Dierks Bentley. “This tour is a great opportunity to work with Aaron and we are very excited to be a part of this new chapter of his career,” says Cliff Rigano, Director of Music Marketing for Jägermeister.

Aaron Lewis made his journey to the country scene in 2011 with the release of his debut EP, Town Line, and the success
of the gold-selling single “Country Boy,” featuring the legendary George Jones and Charlie Daniels. The seven-song EP
reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200. Lewis finished the year with
nominations from the Academy of Country Music for “Vocal Event of the Year,” as well as two CMT nominations for
“Breakthrough Video of the Year” and “Collaborative Video of the Year.” Building upon the demand from his fans for a
full-length solo album, Aaron Lewis proudly shares his country roots with the release of The Road, which hit stores on
November 13, 2012, debuting in the Top 10 on Billboard Country Albums chart. His current single, “Forever” has
broken into the Top 40 at radio, reaching #39 and still climbing. With seven studio albums released totaling sales over 15
million units throughout his 17 plus year career, country listeners will find a true work of art as Lewis honors traditional
country, a genre the singer/songwriter was raised on as a child.

“Jägermeister has grown to be one of the most respected brands within the music world, and I am happy to be a part of
the family,” states Aaron Lewis.

The 2013 Jägermeister Country Tour will feature Jägermeister custom tour prizes from Schecter Guitars and Vypyr Amps
by Peavey. For more information on Jägermeister, visit www.facebook.com/jagerusa. For additional information on Aaron
Lewis, visit www.aaronlewismusic.com or www.facebook.com/aaronlewismusic.

ABOUT JAGERMEISTER: Jägermeister, which translates to “master hunter,” is the #1 selling imported liqueur in the United States and one of the top
shot brands in the world. The liqueur is based on a secret recipe, combining 56 different natural ingredients, including select herbs, blossoms, roots and
fruits. Jägermeister, with the distinctive square bottle, was developed in 1934 in Germany and the brand quickly gained global fame through its
innovative marketing, unique taste profile and its association with good times. The brand recently unveiled its first-ever television and 360° advertising
campaign in the United States. The bold and compelling “Stronger Bond” campaign features a pantheon of legends that speak to the 21-29 year old
male demographic including All-Pro Wide Receiver – Keyshawn Johnson, Champion Boxing Trainer – Freddie Roach, Rock Icon – Kerry King, World
Champion Bullfighter – Rob Smets, NASCAR Pit Crew Champion – Mike Lingerfelt, Famed Street and Tattoo Artist – Mister Cartoon and Big Wave
Surfer – Nathan Fletcher. Jägermeister Liqueur is 35% Alc. /Vol. and imported exclusively by Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., New Rochelle, NY.
JÄGERMEISTER IS DEDICATED TO MUSIC, NOT UNDERAGE DRINKING.

Media Contact: Kyle Johnston, Live Nation kylejohnston@livenation.com

Victory Theatre is managed by VenuWorks of Evansville, LLC.

For more information about the Victory Theatre, visit:
www.victorytheatre.com www.facebook.com/VictoryTheatre www.twitter.com/Victory_Theatre

STATEHOUSE – The 2013 legislative session has concluded. Over the course of session, State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) authored and sponsored numerous bills, two of which have been signed into law by the governor.

“It is hard to believe that just a few short months ago we were talking about the upcoming 2013 session,” said Rep. Bacon. “I am especially proud of the work we have accomplished as a Legislature. During session, I concentrated my efforts on legislation that would directly help Hoosiers in the realm of public health and safety. I am pleased to see that those pieces of legislation have successfully become law.”

One of Rep. Bacon’s bills to be signed into law is HB 1061, which creates a Warrick County magistrate.

House Bill 1061 allows the judges of the Warrick County circuit and superior courts to jointly appoint a magistrate. According to the 2010 census, the Warrick County population has grown by almost 10,000 people in past ten years, making it one of the fastest growing counties in Indiana. The attractiveness of the region has spurred economic development and consequently more work for city judges. City judges will be held accountable for their work by the magistrate, creating a higher level of efficiency within the judicial system.

“With Warrick County growing so rapidly, it made sense to add a magistrate,” said Rep. Bacon. “The mental health commitments have also increased significantly since new hospitals were built in the surrounding area, and a new magistrate will ease some of the load in lower level offender cases.”

Rep. Bacon’s second bill signed into law, HB 1389, was authored in an effort to give more oversight to veterinarians to establish what tasks their subordinates (technicians and assistants) are able to perform.

“This bill will allow a veterinarian supervisor to mandate what practices and procedures their subordinates can perform, regardless of their certifications,” said Rep. Bacon. “It will give a more detailed perspective of oversight and accountably for inexperienced veterinarians, so that their practices are more safeguarded from potential legal consequences.”

Rep. Bacon also worked with his fellow representatives to co-author a total of nine House Bills. House Bill 1151, which created the Blue Alert program, was one of those notable pieces of legislation.

The Blue Alert program will notify the public when a law enforcement officer is killed, seriously injured or missing in the line of duty. The program will be operated by the Indiana State Police Department and will also alert the public if the criminal who caused harm has not been apprehended and may be a danger to others.

“The Blue Alert program will help address issues of public safety in our communities,” said Rep. Bacon. “Our law enforcement officers sometimes have to pay the ultimate price, and I sincerely hope the Blue Alert program will help ease the minds of the brave men and women who serve our communities.”

In working with state senators, Rep. Bacon sponsored a total of three Senate Bills (SB) and co-sponsored seven bills. Among these bills, SB 554 will save Hoosier taxpayers money under telehealth services. SB 554, refers to patient monitoring in the home by a health care provider from a distance, and telemedicine services under Medicaid. Telehealth and telemedicine services allow physicians and psychiatrists to care for their patients without having those patients travel to receive them or having physicians use precious time and money to visit the patients in their homes.

“As a healthcare provider, I truly believe in the potential of this law to save Hoosier taxpayers thousands of dollars through the practice of telehealth and telemedicine. There may be monitors that transmit blood pressure and other vital data in the home to the provider in a hospital. St. Francis Health has done this for a while and has noticed greater savings. Specifically for congestive heart failure, there is normally a one in four readmission rate. With telehealth, there is a one in twenty readmission rate. Reducing the readmission rate means that patients are having healthier outcomes, and is less costly,” said Rep. Bacon.

Rep. Bacon served on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Public Health Committee and the Select Committee on Government Reduction during session. Rep. Bacon will continue to work at the Statehouse, in his district, and around the state over the summer.

“I began this session by setting goals for what I would like to see accomplished. I believe the Legislature has accomplished a great deal of positive efforts this session, and I look forward to what will be accomplished in the future,” said Rep. Bacon. “I am humbled to serve the people of District 75 at the Statehouse, and I look forward to building a brighter future for our community and state.”

After serving eight years as President of St. Mary’s Health, Tim Flesch has announced he will retire on his 63rd birthday, January 12th, 2014.
Flesch moved to Evansville in 1990 to join the Daughters of Charity National Health System – East Central Region, where he served in various executive management positions. That organization is now Ascension Health, the parent company of St. Mary’s.
In 1999, Flesch was hired as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of St. Mary’s Health System. He was appointed to his current role in May of 2005.
During his tenure, St. Mary’s has become the only verified adult and pediatric trauma unit in the region, achieved Magnet® designation for nursing excellence, and improved patient safety and satisfaction to higher levels than ever before.
“The greatest honor of my professional life has been to serve as President of St. Mary’s Health these past eight years,” Flesch said. “I am proud of all that we have accomplished as an organization, and I am confident that we have laid the groundwork for continued success as we prepare for the changes coming to the American health care system.”
To ensure a seamless transition, the St. Mary’s Board of Directors will begin the process of selecting a new President in May. It will be an inclusive process that will engage Ascension Health leaders, St. Mary’s associates, physicians, and members of the community. The selection process is expected to be completed in November 2013.

The $250,000 Slot Star Championship Tournament is back by popular demand!

The Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey will be hosting players from all Tropicana Entertainment gaming properties, including Casino Aztar, to play in their exclusive 2nd Annual $250,000 Slot Star Championship Tournament on Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 22nd.

Casino Aztar’s best slot players are vying for the coveted “TOP 10” qualified positions by participating in the Casino Aztar Point Challenge from April 1 through May 31, 2013. Additionally, two WILD CARD winners will be selected from the top 100 players to participate. Each player, along with a guest, will travel to Atlantic City, New Jersey for the 2nd Annual $250,000 Slot Star Championship Tournament.

One of them could return $100,000 richer as Tropicana Entertainment’s SLOT STAR CHAMPION!

For more information, contact Stacey McNeill, Casino Aztar Director of Marketing at 812-433-4069 or stacey.mcneill@aztarindiana.com