Casting Indiana's Progress

As a member of the Military and Veterans Affairs committee, Rep. Matt Whetstone (R-Brownsburg) discusses legislation regarding Indiana’s military men and women that was proposed earlier this month to better provide assistance to those that have helped and are helping to protect our freedom across the state.

Rep. Jim Buck from House District 38, which includes portions of Boone, Clinton, Hamilton, and Howard Counties, discusses the legislative reforms enacted over the past two sessions of the Indiana General Assembly and reforms for the upcoming 2007 session of the Indiana legislature

Rep. Suzanne Crouch (Evansville) and Rep. Cleo Duncan (Greensburg) answer questions that have been e-mailed or mailed to them by their constituents. The topics in this week’s mailbag range from fireworks legislation to electronic voting machines. The “Mailbag” Podcast allows legislators the opportunity to address frequently-asked questions for a widespread audience. The “Mailbag” Podcast is a monthly segment on “Casting Indiana’s Progress.”

Episode 1: Summer Committees Study Issues Important to Hoosiers. Rep. Tim Neese (Elkhart) discusses the Committee on Criminal Justice Matters and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (Howe) discusses the Study Committee on Alcoholic Beverage Issues. The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature and meets on a two year cycle, four months one year and three months the following year. Important statewide issues can be dealt with efficiently year-round through the use of the Interim Study Committees and Statutory Commissions. These two types of legislative bodies convene regularly through the remainder of the year and study key issues which could lead to possible legislation in the upcoming session.

Episode 2: Summer Committees Study Issues Important to Hoosiers. Rep. Larry Buell (Indianapolis) discusses the Pension Management Oversight Commission, as well as the upcoming budget writing session. The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature and meets on a two year cycle, four months one year and three months the following year. Important statewide issues can be dealt with efficiently year-round through the use of the Interim Study Committees and Statutory Commissions. These two types of legislative bodies convene regularly through the remainder of the year and study key issues which could lead to possible legislation in the upcoming session.

With major jobs announcements over the last few months in Indiana, such as the 1,000 jobs at the West Lafayette Subaru plant, 1,100 jobs at the Louisville Jeffboat plant, and hundreds and hundreds of jobs at FedEx, Rolls Royce, and many others, fresh new leadership and the atmosphere for change has finally taken root for measurable results. In state government, the new Indiana Economic Development Corporation, a House Republican Initiative, is successfully working as our business advocate to keep and grow Hoosier jobs.

Friday, September 8, 2006, Speaker of the Indiana House Brian C. Bosma made remarks regarding the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals hearing on legislative prayer at the Indiana House of Representatives. Both sides in the Hinrichs v. Bosma case presented their arguments to a three judge panel regarding the appeal. The trial court ruling places restrictive limits on the type of prayer allowed in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Opening day of the 114th Indiana General Assembly, House of Representatives, Wednesday, January 4, 2006.