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News and Upcoming Events, April 25, 2017
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Wayne Parke, Chairman
Mary Jo Kaiser, Political Director
Dottie Thomas, Vice Chairman
Hobart Scales, Secretary
Kevin Harrison ,
Information Coordinator
Marsha Abell, Fund Raising Chairman
E. Lon Walters, Social Media
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     If you have any questions, contact Mary Jo Kaiser, VCRP Political Director, at
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for more info. Thank you.
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            2017 Lincoln Day Dinner
  The Vanderburgh County Republican Party invites you to join
    The Honorable Suzanne Crouch, Lt. Governor of Indiana
                        And
  The Honorable Lloyd Winnecke, Mayor of the City of Evansville
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              As We Present a Tribute To
                 Bettye Lou JerrelÂ
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  Date:        Thursday, May 4, 2017
             Doors Open             5:30
             Reception – Boardroom    6:00
             Dinner – Ballroom        7:00
              2nd Floor (elevator available)
              3810 Stringtown Rd.
              Evansville, Indiana 47711
                            Program/Dinner    $100
Cocktail Party/Reception & Program/Dinner   $150
             Table Sponsorship Levels =>   Click HERE
             RSVP by April 25, 2017 :    Mary Jo Kaiser, Political Director VCRP
                       815 John St , Suite 110
                       Evansville IN 47713
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 The invitation that you recently received in the mail for the 2017  Lincoln Day Dinner was  printed with the  incorrect date.
     The correct date is Thursday, May 4, 2017.Â
 We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
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Save the date and make plans to attend the next Traveling City Hall program. Learn about the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign to reduce fire-related deaths and sign-up to have a FREE smoke detector installed by a trained Red Cross volunteer in your home at no cost.
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 Â
County Commission Meeting:
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                            Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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County Council Meeting:
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                            Time: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
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                            Time: 5:30 PM
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VCRP 2017 Membership
 Remember to renew your VCRP membership for 2017. Republicans now have more local office holders than at any time in history. The Vanderburgh County Republican Party does not receive any financial assistance other than your donations. Please help us keep the momentum by joining, or  renewing, your VCRP Membership for 2017.
GOP memberships start at $100. To review or get a copy of membership levels click => VCRP 2017 Membership
        Contact Mary Jo Kaiser, Political Director,  for your 2017 VCRP Membership.  Â
Â
                          Thank you for your support!
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Event: Annual Spring Dinner
Date: May 8, 2017
Time: (TBA)
Where: JW Marriott
10 S West St , Indianapolis
Meet & Greet photo w/ Donald Trump Jr.
VIP Reception w/ Donald Trump Jr.
General Reception
Dinner
or
RSVP to Zach Willis at zwillis@indiana.gop
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Senate Republicans Conclude 2017 Session with Passage of Key Priorities
STATEHOUSE (April 22, 2017) Â The Indiana Senate concluded the 2017 legislative session today, completing work on a variety of key legislative priorities.
“I applaud the Senate’s efforts to deliver on the priorities we laid out at the beginning of this session,” Long said. “Working together, we have crafted a long-term, sustainable road funding plan that will support economic growth for years to come, and enacted yet another balanced budget that prioritizes education, public safety, and fighting illegal drug abuse.”
Long noted the following priorities outlined by Senate Republicans in January are now on their way to the governor for his consideration:
- Passing another balanced two-year state budget (House Enrolled Act 1001, sponsored by Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville):
Funds important state priorities, including education, public safety, and fighting illegal drug abuse while maintaining our record of fiscal responsibility
Supports continued economic growth by providing sustainable, long-term funding to improve Indiana’s roads for the next 20 years. When fully phased in, HEA 1002 will provide $1.2 billion per year in new funding for Indiana’s roads – about $850 million for state highways and $350 million for local roads.
Gives Hoosiers the chance to approve an amendment to the Indiana Constitution that would prohibit state spending from exceeding state revenue unless two-thirds of the General Assembly deems it necessary to use emergency spending measures
- Fighting opioid abuse through prevention, enforcement and treatment:
Prevention:Â Senate Enrolled Act 226, authored by Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis), limits opioid prescription amounts for patients who are being prescribed opioids for the first time. Enforcement:Â House Enrolled Act 1406, sponsored by Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford), enhances the criminal penalties for dealing heroin. Treatment: The state budget ( House Enrolled Act 1001) includes $10 million for addiction treatment and other programs overseen by the Governor’s Task Force on Drug Enforcement, Treatment and Prevention. Replaces the ISTEP test with a new testing system that will take less time away from classroom instruction, provide faster results, and give high school students multiple pathways to earn a high school diploma.
Increases per-student funding for high-school Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses in high-wage, high-demand job fields and establishes a new Workforce Ready Grant program to provide financial aid to students working toward a job certificate in a high-value industry.
Fixes the unintended consequences of Indiana’s laws on e-liquid manufacturing by eliminating the rules that created unfair competition and bringing us into compliance with federal rules.
The Senate is now adjourned “sine die”- which signifies the end of the 2017 Indiana General Assembly.
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The new state two year budget is balanced, has $1.9 billion in reserves, and provides significant funding increases for education, public safety and fighting drug abuse.
Highlights of the budget include increasing K-12 funding by $345 million and university operating funds by $91.3 million; providing Indiana State Police and other state law enforcement officers with a pay increase to make their salary levels competitive with other states; and investing in programs to help Hoosier veterans.
For the past decade, Indiana has been a national leader in responsible budgeting.
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 Road Funding Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
The Indiana General Assembly recently passed House Enrolled Act 1002, which  is the largest infrastructure investment in Indiana’s history, and provides a long-term, sustainable funding plan for building and maintaining Indiana’s transportation infrastructure.
The plan focuses on a user-pays approach, dedicating all of the taxes paid at the pump to road funding. This is the fairest system since those who pay the most will also get the most benefit.
When fully phased in, HEA 1002 will provide $1.2 billion per year in new road funding – about $850 million for state highways and about $350 million for local roads.
The plan increases user fees by 10 cents per gallon on gasoline, special fuel and motor carrier surcharge taxes to restore buying power lost to inflation. These fees would be indexed annually for the next seven years, but wouldn’t increase more than 1 cent per year. The gasoline tax has not been increased since 2003 and the other fees haven’t been increased since 1988.
Under the plan, the remaining 4.5 cents of the sales tax on gasoline would be shifted over five years starting in 2020 from the state’s general fund to the State Highway Fund, which is dedicated solely to roads and bridges.
The measure calls for a new $15 annual fee on all vehicles, a $150 annual fee on electric vehicles and $50 for hybrids registered in Indiana. The money would provide a sustainable source of funding for Indiana’s Community Crossings Matching Grant Fund, which provides road funding to local governments.
Under this plan, the average Hoosier driver will pay an additional $5 to $6 per month |
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Sullivan’s bill  expanding pre-K options for Hoosier Children heads to governor’s desk
 House Enrolled Act 1004,  which will expand On My Way Pre-K, the state’s pre-K pilot program, is headed to the Governor’s desk for approval.  HEA1004 co-author State Rep. (Dist 78) Holli Sullivan said, “ Data shows low-income children often start kindergarten academically behind their peers. This plan places a priority on rural communities where studies have revealed a need for high quality pre-K options. The bill also incorporates online, in-home learning programs.“
Eligibility requirements, including income thresholds, would apply to those wanting to participate. If programs are at capacity in the five original counties, the Family and Social Services Administration could raise the income eligibility to 185 percent of the federal poverty level to reach more low-income families.
 Sullivan said priority would be given to children who are most in need and to more rural counties.
“Providing more high-quality early education opportunities to these very young, at-risk students truly benefits all Hoosiers,” Sullivan said. “This plan will give students a strong foundation and helps them achieve their full potential.“
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              Bosma statement on passage of bill to appoint state superintendent
STATEHOUSE (April 18, 2017) -Â “For over 30 years, legislators on both sides of the aisle have supported the move to an appointed superintendent and for the first time, the measure successfully passed both chambers. The bill’s passage underscores the importance of taking politics out of education and putting Hoosier children first. Our students, parents and educators deserve consistency and better coordination in the administration of education policy and this action marks a giant step forward. While it was a long road to get here, we reached a compromise with the Senate and I look forward to the bill becoming law.”
 – House Speaker Brian C. BosmaÂ
House Enrolled Act 1005Â would make the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction an appointed position by the governor in 2025. If signed into law, the measure would also require the appointee to have lived in Indiana for at least two years, earned an advanced degree and served as a teacher, principal or superintendent or as an executive in the field of education for at least five years. The bill would also change the position’s title to Indiana Secretary of Education. The HEA1005 Â now moves to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
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Bill to Allow Cannabidiol for Severe Epilepsy Passes Senate
STATEHOUSE (April 21, 2017) – State Rep. Bill Friend’s (R-Macy) legislation to allow the use of cannabidiol oil for treatment-resistant epilepsy could soon become law.
House Enrolled Act 1148Â would allow a person to possess CBD oil if they or their child have been diagnosed with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy, and they meet certain commonsense safety requirements. Friend said CBD oil is a compound refined from industrial hemp that has a wide scope of medical applications, including the control of epileptic seizures.
“Allowing the use of CBD oil as an option for treatment-resistant epilepsy is something I have supported for the last four years,” Friend said. “There are individuals and families across the state who have utilized a variety of traditional treatment options without success. CBD oil has shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of epilepsy when other options have failed, and I think this is an option that Hoosiers, especially children experiencing seizures, deserve to have.”
This legislation would also require the Indiana State Department of Health to establish and maintain a registry for patients that use CBD oil as treatment. Additionally, Friend said the physicians who authorize and the caregiver or patient who is in possession of CBD oil would have immunity from prosecution.
Friend said CBD oil, while derived from industrial hemp, has extremely low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, so it cannot be used as a recreational drug. This legislation would not legalize marijuana or medical marijuana in any form.
State Senator (Dist 49) Jim Tomes has been advocating for the medical use of CBD oil for many years.
“My ultimate goal was to establish a way for families to get treatment options for children struggling with epilepsy,” Tomes said. “This measure will give these families what they have waited entirely too long for.”
For more information on HB 1148, click HERE.
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| Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Indiana Unemployment Remains Lower than National Rate
INDIANAPOLIS (April 21, 2017) - Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.9 percent for March and remains lower than the national rate of 4.5 percent. The unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s Labor Force increased by 6,093 over the previous month with a 12,322 increase in employment and a 6,229 decrease in unemployment. Indiana’s total labor force stands at more than 3.32 million, and the state’s 64.5 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 63.0 percent.
“Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to drop, and the 3.9 percent rate for March is the lowest it’s been since 2001,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). “While this is a positive economic indicator, there are thousands of good-paying jobs currently available in Indiana that require in-demand skills. Fortunately, our local WorkOne Career Centers can help unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers with training programs, interview coaching, veteran services and more.”
Commissioner Braun also noted private sector employment has grown by more than 39,300 over the year. He added that weekly unemployment insurance claims remain at the lowest point in three decades.
Click HERE for more information from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development |
Report Ranks Indiana No. 2 for Economic Outlook
 The latest edition of the Rich States, Poor States publication has ranked Indiana No. 2 in the nation for its economic outlook. House Speaker Brian Bosma said that’s the best ranking for Indiana in the history of the report and an improvement of 22 spots since 2012, “This latest ranking adds to the decades of progress under strong Republican leadership and is reflective of the dedication to supporting pro-growth policies. Our economic climate and competitiveness continue to attract the national spotlight, and that’s why job creators are choosing Indiana to locate and expand their businesses. This session, we will continue this momentum by passing an honestly balanced budget and supporting fiscally conservative measures that keep Indiana moving forward.”
According to the publication, the economic outlook ranking is a forward-looking forecast based on the state’s standing (equal-weighted average) in 15 important state policy variables. Data reflect state and local rates and revenues and any effect of federal deductibility.
Click HERE for the full report. |
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Indiana General Assembly 2017 Session
Be Informed. Learn about Senate and House Bills for the current legislative session.
Find and follow Bills for the 2017 Session HERE                    >>> See which Bills make it to the Governor’s desk HERE <<< |
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Stay in touch with GOP Statehouse legislators representing our area by clicking the links below.
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President Trump  Signs The Veterans Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act
On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, the President Trump signed into law S. 544, which eliminates the termination date of the Veterans Choice Program; to modify reimbursement and cost-recovery procedures for care provided under the Program; and to authorize the sharing of certain veterans’ medical records with medical service providers outside the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Said the President during the signing,” The veterans have poured out their sweat and blood and tears for this country for so long, and it’s time that they’re recognized, and it’s time that we now take care of them, and take care of them properly.  Â
That’s why I’m pleased today to sign into law the Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act. Â So this is called the Choice Program Improvement Act. Â It speaks for itself. Â This bill will extend and improve the Veterans Choice Program so that more veterans can see the doctor of their choice — you got it? Â The doctor of their choice — and don’t have to wait and travel long distances for VA care. Â Some people have to travel five hours, eight hours, and they’ll have to do it on a weekly basis, and even worse than that. Â It’s not going to happen anymore.
This new law is a good start, but there is still much work to do.  We will fight each and every day to deliver the long-awaited reforms our veterans deserve, and to protect those who have so courageously protected each and every one of us. “
Read More HERE
Watch Bill Signing HERE
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“Happy to see President Trump today sign into law the extension of the Veterans Choice Act we recently passed out of Congress. ” Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â – Congressman Larry Bucshon (Facebook, 4/19/17)
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 President’s Weekly Address for 4/21/17: Topic – American Worker is Top Priority
                                 Click  HERE to listen. |
   >>>>> Visit the Vanderburgh GOP Â
 page for daily updates<<<<<
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| Â Mark your Calendar: Â Â Â Â Â
(click links for more information)
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Traveling City Hall………………………………………………………………… Â April 26
City Council Meeting……………………………………………………………. Â May 8
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 Don’t forget to add our email address ( vandygop@gmail.com) to your address book so we’ll be sure to land in your inbox! |
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