Heart Healthy Challenge March 4th

TAKE THE “HEART HEALTHY CHALLENGE”

TO

LEARN YOUR RISK FOR HEART DISEASE & STROKE

Health Screenings for the Indiana General Assembly:

A Partnership between the American Heart Association, Clarian Health & Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals

Receive an initial, basic health screening provided by Clarian Health; i.e., blood pressure, cholesterol (including a full lipid profile) and glucose.

WHEN:   Tuesday, March 4, 2008
WHERE: South Atrium
TIME:      7:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Legislators, Spouses,        
                 and Support Staff

Once your benchmark numbers are taken, you will receive information on how to reduce your personal risks for cardiovascular disease.  These screenings will be compared to the January screenings so that you can begin to track your progress for a healthy heart.

Special Screening Instructions:  In order to receive the most accurate blood test results, please fast 10 hours prior to your screening.  Please take all prescrioption medications as needed, but please avoid using herbal medications & supplements.

At the end of the legislative session, awards will be given based on individual successes.  We will take the January and March screening numbers and awards will be given according to that criteria.

Refreshments will be provided by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals through the day

News Updates

 Immigration vote today puts House in spotlight
Immigration reform has never stood as good a chance for passage in Indiana as it does this year. Supporters say the difference is the legislation’s focus on business owners who profit from hiring illegal workers rather than a bill depriving individuals of social services.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080228/LOCAL/802280467/1304/LOCAL11

10:48 p.m.: Property tax plans differ
The Democrat-led House and GOP-controlled Senate have approved separate property tax relief and restructuring plans that each contain key pieces of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ proposal on the overhaul.
http://www.heraldbulletin.com/statenews/local_story_058224834.html

HIP is help for uninsured
Tweaks are being made to the Healthy Indiana Plan, a health-care insurance program which state officials hope will reach the 150,000 uninsured Hoosiers between 16 and 64.
Indiana loses about $1 billion a year in medical costs, according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. For every $1 spent on measles, mumps, whooping cough and other childhood disease vaccinations, the state could save $25, the FSSA estimated.
http://www.reporter.net/local/local_story_059003747.html

Sam Turpin

Bowzer and Boater

News Update

 Firefighters and police from around the state concerned about property tax issue
Numerous firefighters and police, including some from Evansville, gathered Monday at the Statehouse to express concern that the proposed property-tax caps or “circuit breakers” in House Bill 1001 would cause shortfalls in local government budgets, and possible cuts to public safety. The show of force was organized by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. Among the officers was Evansville Police Chief Brad Hill, Deputy Chief Joyce Molinet and Capt. Gary Voegel.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/feb/26/26a0xproptax-side

House ready to debate immigration bill
An argument over procedure and rules that started last week and led to a short House Republican walkout ended Monday with members moving legislation on illegal immigration forward and returning to business as usual.
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/LOCAL/802260380/1002/LOCAL

Township assessors keep jobs another day
Gov. Mitch Daniels’ hopes of eliminating township assessors suffered a setback Monday when his lieutenant governor missed a key opportunity to cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the provision.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/LOCAL19/802260395/1006/LOCAL

Sam Turpin

2008 Primary Election

Below is a recap of which incumbents did not file for re-election and which are facing a primary challenge:

House Democrat incumbents not filing for re-election (5)
Joe Micon
Dave Crooks
Phil Hoy
David Orentlicher
Carolene Mays

House Republican incumbents not filing for re-election (3)
Eric Gutwein
Mike Ripley
Larry Buell

House Democrat incumbents facing primary opposition (8)
Linda Lawson
Earl Harris
Charlie Brown           
David Niezgodski
Greg Simms
Nancy Dembowski
Shelli VanDenburgh
Bill Crawford

House Republican incumbents facing primary opposition (12)
Ed Soliday
Don Lehe
Bill Ruppel
Rich McClain
Greg Stuerwald
Amos Thomas
Ralph Foley
John Ulmer
Dan Leonard
Phyllis Pond
Cindy Noe
Mike Murphy

Senate Republican incumbents not filing for re-election (3)
Marv Riegsecker
Tom Weatherwax
Bob Jackman

Senate Democrat incumbents not filing for re-election (2)
Sam Smith
Glen Howard

Senate Republican incumbents facing primary opposition (5)
Luke Kenley
Connie Lawson
Bev Gard
Teresa Lubbers
Brent Waltz

Senate Democrat incumbents facing primary opposition (2)
Jim Arnold
Jean Breaux

Sam Turpin

News Update

Senate working on 3 R’s: Tax relief, reform, repeal
State senators – Republicans and Democrats alike – committed at the onset of this 2008 session that property taxes would be “job one.” Hoosiers should know we are hard at work and will not stop until the job is done. Legislators know Indiana’s antiquated tax system – which dates back to the agrarian 1800s when property translated into income – is in dire need of repair if not eventual repeal.
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/EDIT05/802250349/-1/EDIT

Immigration laws send Hispanics elsewhere
2 states that have approved crackdowns see exodus of illegals
Thousands of illegal immigrants have fled the two states that have enacted tough new immigration laws similar to the one before the Indiana General Assembly. Since passing their laws, Oklahoma and Arizona have seen declines in school enrollments, a scarcity of construction workers and the sudden emptying of rental homes and apartments.
http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/NEWS01/802270302/1008

Late tax cap change: Base on 1 percent of income
House Democrats threw a major change Wednesday into the proposed state constitutional amendment capping property taxes for Hoosier homeowners. The Democratic-controlled House Ways and Means Committee revised the proposed amendment so homeowners would pay property taxes equalling no more than 1 percent of their household income.
http://www.post-trib.com/news/805691,taxcap.article

Sam Turpin

American Lung Association Spring Gala

SLOBS vs. SNOBS SAVE THE DATE – 4/12/08 Overview Our spring gala promises to be a memorable event this year.  On the Evening of Saturday, April 12, we are invading Hawthorns Golf & Country Club and throwing an amusing “Caddyshack-inspired” party.  Enjoy your favorite beverages, a wonderful dinner, silent auction and dancing to Zanna Doo. Our 2008 Honorary Chair is Dr. Michael Busk, Board Secretary for the ALA of Indiana, Principal Investigator at the IU ACRC and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Indiana University Department of Medicine.  Passed Hors d’oeuvres • 3 Course Filet Dinner • Open Bar Individual and corporate tickets, tables and sponsorships are now available.  All proceeds from the event benefit the American Lung Association of Indiana. For More Information For more information on sponsoring or attending the Annual Gala, visit www.inhale08.org contact us at 317-819-1181 x226 or lzuercher@lungin.org. Sam Turpin

2/25 Senate Floor Schedule

 Senate

02/25/2008

1:30 PM

Second Reading – HB1001 Property tax relief. (Crawford, Kenley)

Second Reading – HB1042 Intent to sell sexually explicit products. (Goodin, Steele)

Second Reading – HB1052 Motorist duties at accident scenes. (Neese, Riegsecker)

Second Reading – HB1055 Assignment of benefits. (C. Brown, Gard)

Second Reading – HB1061 Application of landlord-tenant statutes. (Day, Bray)

Second Reading – HB1062 Architectural salvage material and valuable metal dealers. (Day, Steele)

Second Reading – HB1074 Disarming a law enforcement officer. (Day, Charbonneau)

Second Reading – HB1108 Sheriff’s compensation. (Buell, Merritt)

Second Reading – HB1113 Birth certificate fraud. (Dembowski, Bray)

Second Reading – HB1118 Alcoholic beverages. (VanHaaften, Riegsecker, Weatherwax)

Second Reading – HB1119 Public safety retiree reemployment. (Austin, Weatherwax)

Second Reading – HB1124 Sheriffs’ and deputies’ surviving spouse pension. (Goodin, R. Meeks)

Second Reading – HB1134 Sex offenders. (VanDenburgh, Steele)

Second Reading – HB1140 Coverage for orthotic and prosthetic devices. (Murphy, Dillon)

Second Reading – HB1153 Gaming. (Tyler, R. Meeks)

Second Reading – HB1169 Cosmetology and estheticians. (Orentlicher, Dillon)

Second Reading – HB1172 Various professions and occupations. (Welch, Mishler)

Second Reading – HB1185 Indoor air quality. (L. Lawson, Jackman)

Second Reading – HB1187 Nonprofit corporations. (L. Lawson, Lawson)

Second Reading - HB1196 Various election law matters. (Pierce, Landske)

Second Reading – HB1210 Teacher certification. (V. Smith, Sipes)

Second Reading – HB1219 Unemployment insurance. (Tyler, Kruse)

Second Reading – HB1220 Regional development. (Dobis, Charbonneau)

Second Reading – HB1224 Transfer fees. (VanHaaften, R. Meeks)

Second Reading – HB1246 Student graduation plan and online learning. (Austin, Lubbers)

Second Reading – HB1249 Tuition exemption for Purple Heart recipients. (Klinker, Wyss)

Second Reading – HB1271 Inmate credit time. (Stemler, Sipes)

Second Reading – HB1276 Bail. (Pflum, Paul)

Second Reading – HB1280 Energy efficient buildings. (Pierce, Hershman)

Second Reading – HB1284 Group insurance. (Fry, Paul)

Second Reading – HB1286 Library services authorities. (Blanton, Gard)

Second Reading – HB1288 Behavior analysts. (Summers, Dillon)

Second Reading – HB1290 Older youth foster care. (Avery, Lawson)

Second Reading – HB1293 Taxation. (GiaQuinta, Bray)

Second Reading – HB1318 Spinal cord and brain injury fund; law enforcement continuing education (Mays, Becker)

Second Reading – HB1341 Ports of Indiana. (Stemler, Charbonneau)

Third Reading – HB1060 Great Lakes compact. (Pelath, Gard)

Third Reading – HB1125 Taxation. (Goodin, Kenley)

Third Reading – HB1162 Legislative body youth advisers. (Bell, Lawson)

Third Reading – HB1250 Local government finance. (Klinker, Hershman)

Third Reading – HB1259 Child safety and CHINS. (VanDenburgh, Becker)

Third Reading – HB1359 Various financial institutions matters. (Bardon, Paul)

Third Reading – HB1379 Viatical settlements. (Ripley, Charbonneau)

Eligible for Action – SB0139 Violation of probation and home detention. (Bray, Foley)

Eligible for Action – SB0241 Department of homeland security. (Wyss, Arnold, Tincher)

Eligible for Action – SB0343 Theft of copper and other valuable metals. (Tallian, Day)

Sam Turpin

Bill Watch

Bill number	Description
HB1017	Arts and cultural districts.
HB1051	School corporation donations to foundations.
SB0033	State police supplemental benefit.
SB0041	Public freshwater lakes
SB0088	Lake Management Work Group
SB0156	Communicable disease rules.
SB0210	Teachers’ retirement fund issues Sam Turpin

HB1001 Summary

                February 19. 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee discussed HB1001.  Chairman Senator Kenley opened the discussion by stating the need to reduce reliance on property tax and to create a fair, reliable system. Sen. Kenley went on to note that the House had not included HB1478, passed last year, in HB1001.  However, the Senate felt this was the best tool and added it into HB1001.           

                    Senator Skinner claimed that the Democratic Caucus has concerns with this method of property tax relief. The Democratic Caucus wants property tax to help those who need it most, low and middle class homeowners.  He stated that this method of property tax relief could actually bring more burden onto the lower and middle classes since it would increase the sales tax, which is a regressive tax.  Senator Dillon responded that the goal of this Bill is still property tax relief, and this piece of legislation can achieve this, with some modification.  Senator Broden countered that the negative impact HB1001 will have on the public school system should be more closely examined.  Sen. Kenley declared that an Earned Income Tax Credit or a Renter’s Deduction could be added to directly help lower to middle income families.  Senator Hershman added that the property tax system should be stable, and that a local income tax would be more beneficial than taxing a mortgage payment.  He suggested that local government should be more frugal, so that homeowners don’t feel the burden.  This legislation passed 9-0 out of committee.

            
             Sen. Broden proposed three amendments 74, 72, and 71.  Amendment 74 would provide a general fund for State of Indiana School Corporations so that none would lose revenue due to legislation.  Amendment 72 would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit from 6% to 9% in order to help lower and middle classes deal with the increase of the Sales Tax from 6% to 7%.  Finally, Amendment 71 would insure that citizens would be made aware of tax increases.  None of these proposed amendments were passed by the Appropriations Committee.

 Click this link for a complete overview of HB1001
hb1001-summary-khowe.pdf 

Sam Turpin