HALFTIME AT THE LEGISLATURE – STRAIGHT FROM THE SENATE

The General Assembly is currently at its halfway point. The Senate has passed many legislative proposals aimed at improving our economy, schools and Hoosier workforce. Bipartisanship is strong in the Indiana Senate – 99 percent of bills passed with support from legislators on both sides of the aisle.

During the second half of the legislative session, the House of Representatives will consider Senate proposals, and House bills will be up for approval in the Senate. To become law, a bill must pass both the Senate and House and be sent to the governor’s desk for signature.

Here are a few noteworthy bills that have passed the Senate and are moving to the House for further consideration:

·Senate Bill 1  would provide support to Hoosier employers by cutting burdensome taxes that slow down job growth, including the business personal property tax and the corporate income tax. These changes would put more than $130 million a year back into the private-sector economy and hands of hard-working Hoosiers.

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·Senate Bill 330  would target some of Indiana’s college financial aid and job-training dollars to help adults participate in education programs that lead to high-wage, high-demand jobs. With more 21st-century jobs requiring post-secondary education, future and current workers need access to high-quality workforce training.

·Senate Bill 91  would withdraw Indiana from the nationally created Common Core state academic standards so that we can move forward with school standards created by Hoosier educators that are specific to our workforce needs and promote innovation.

·Senate Bill 352 would provide financial assistance to more post-9/11 veterans and their families by allowing them to apply for Indiana’s Military Family Relief Fund any time after their service, instead of only within a three-year window.

·Senate Bill 264 would support school improvement by authorizing bonuses for Indiana’s best public school teachers if they take a job at a low-performing school.

·Senate Bill 80 , which I authored, would eliminate outdated and repetitive legislative study committees to ensure that the General Assembly remains a true part-time legislature and doesn’t waste taxpayer time.

A great deal of meaningful legislation cleared the Senate in January and February. Over the next several weeks, my colleagues and I are ready to tackle additional proposals sent over by the House to advance the Hoosier State.

Democracy is at work in Indiana, and I urge you to remain a part of the process. Track bills through the legislative process, find daily calendars and watch Indiana lawmakers live as they carry out state business at iga.in.gov.

To stay in contact with me, you can sign up to receive weekly email newsletters, which provide important Senate updates and give you a chance to share your thoughts. Get involved at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Long .