Author: David Long - IN Dist. 16 Senator

During each legislative session, the Indiana Senate provides internship opportunities for college students, graduate students and recent college graduates. Throughout the legislative session, interns learn about Indiana’s current issues, network, practice leadership skills, develop their professional

Indiana is known as the “Crossroads of America,” and we do our best to make sure our transportation infrastructure lives up to the name.

Quality roadways help attract new businesses, grow our economy and keep our citizens safe as they travel through our communities and state. In 2016, the Indiana

Over the past 20 years, schools in the United States, including in Indiana, have seen an increase in shootings and other violence.

Just a few months ago, a shooting occurred at Noblesville West Middle School. Thanks to the exceptional bravery of a teacher there were no deaths, but this tragedy emphasized

In December of 2017, Indiana’s Department of Child Services (DCS) made news headlines across the state when the agency’s ability to adequately protect Hoosier children was called into question.

To get a full understanding of the issues facing DCS, Gov. Eric Holcomb called for the Child Welfare

In our modern digital age, it seems that any piece of information, no matter how broad or specific, can be found with a quick Google search. More and more we find ourselves turning to the internet to look up the answers to our questions, but did you know that Indiana has been hard at work making information

There is no question that one of today’s major health concerns is the issue of mental health. As our society continues to understand how mental health conditions can affect individuals, families and communities, we also recognize the importance of addressing mental health issues as a matter of public

Each year during the legislative session, members of the Indiana General Assembly conduct committee hearings, participate in debates and take part in discussions with constituents as we consider new laws that will address important issues facing Indiana.

However, throughout the session, lawmakers may

The Indiana General Assembly convened May 14 for a one-day special session called by the governor. During this time, my colleagues and I passed four time-sensitive bills that could not wait until the 2019 session. This legislation will add additional funding for school safety, update our tax code

The Indiana General Assembly works diligently each year to implement policies that will help fill open jobs and encourage businesses to grow or locate in our state, and we continue to see positive results.

For example, our state’s unemployment rate has remained below the national average for four

During the 2017 session, the General Assembly passed a two-year budget, which included up to $7.04 billion for school funding, or about $5,956 per student, which was based on estimated enrollment numbers for the 2017-18 school year.

Over half of our General Fund is dedicated to K-12 education, but

One of Indiana’s biggest long-term challenges is the skills gap that exists between available jobs and available workers. For example, nearly a third of Indiana employers responded to a survey conducted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce saying they felt that filling an open position is their biggest

The Indiana General Assembly concluded the 2018 legislative session earlier this month, passing 210 bills, 99 percent of which received bipartisan report.

Among these bills are those that accomplish our legislative agenda. At the beginning of the year, my colleagues and I considered the issues facing

Opioid abuse is a growing issue in our state, costing Indiana billions of dollars and destroying Hoosier lives. For example, 488 opioid pain reliever-related deaths occurred in Indiana in 2016 alone, which is a nearly 2,000-percent increase since 2000.

At the national level, deaths caused by drug overdoses

During the first half of the legislative session, my colleagues and I researched, discussed and voted on legislation authored by members of the Senate. Now, with the 2018 session in its second half, we have started considering bills passed by the House of Representatives.

Below are some of the major

The Indiana General Assembly recently reached the half-way point, meaning the Senate and House of Representatives will begin considering legislation passed by their counterpart since session began January 3.

Nearly 440 bills were authored in the Senate this year, and of those, a number continue to

An opioid epidemic continues to plague our state and the rest of the nation, affecting individuals, families and entire communities in the process.

In 2016 alone, 488 Hoosiers died of an opioid-pain-reliever overdose, an almost 2,000-percent increase compared to the number of deaths in 2000, according

The Indiana General Assembly is now in session, and I recently joined some of my fellow senators to announce the Senate Republicans’ 2018 Agenda.

This year, we are working to continue to fight the drug epidemic, improve Indiana’s workforce, support Hoosier schools, reform civil forfeiture laws,

The Indiana General Assembly reconvenes next month for the 2018 legislative session. Between January 3 and mid-March, my colleagues and I will conduct research, listen to testimony, and author and vote on legislation that addresses issues facing our state.

It’s important for me to get feedback from

Indiana has had a record year for economic development in 2017, with nearly 29,000 new jobs planned for the future.

Since the year began, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation has secured 270 commitments from businesses inside and outside of our state to grow or locate in Indiana. Together,

Indiana lawmakers recently convened at the Statehouse for Organization Day — the ceremonial start of the legislative session.

Once the General Assembly officially reconvenes January 3, legislators will delve deeper into topics, authoring and passing bills that will make Indiana a better place to

Each year, Americans set aside one day in November to honor the men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces – Veterans Day.

The selflessness and bravery these people demonstrate is inspirational, and they deserve recognition and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Indiana

Over the past decade, Indiana lawmakers have worked diligently to simplify and reform our tax system, and based on the 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index, our hard work is paying off.

According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, the publisher of the Index, Indiana’s tax climate ranks among the

During the 2017 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed a critical 20-year, $20-billion road-funding plan — House Enrolled Act 1002 — safeguarding the future of our state’s transportation infrastructure.

Indiana’s previous source of road funding was not keeping up with our

Every year, the Indiana Senate offers college students, recent graduates and graduate students a career-boosting opportunity – the chance to intern during a legislative session at the Indiana Statehouse.

Interns are vital to the legislative process, as nearly every office in the Senate relies on