Earlier this week, the Republican Caucus announced our agenda for the 2018 legislative session.
Over the next two months, we will work to fight the drug epidemic, improve workforce development, support Indiana schools, reform civil forfeiture laws, and allow Sunday alcohol sales.
To accomplish these goals, the following bills have been filed:
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Senate Bill 221 would prevent opioid abuse by phasing in a requirement for doctors to check INSPECT, the state’s prescription-monitoring service, when prescribing opioids to a patient.
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Senate Bill 50 would expand financial aid for job-training programs.
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Senate Bill 172 would require high schools to offer computer science courses.
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Senate Bill 189 would increase school funding to account for higher-than-expected enrollment.
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Senate Bill 177 would adjust Indiana’s diploma system to make sure all high-school graduates are counted in Indiana’s federal graduation rate.
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Senate Bill 99 would reform Indiana’s civil forfeiture laws to better balance law-enforcement needs and property owners’ Constitutional rights.
My colleagues and I will discuss, research and hear testimony on these bills, among many others, over the next few weeks.
To stay up to date on each bill as it moves through the General Assembly, click here.
State of the State Address
Earlier this week, Gov. Eric Holcomb gave the State of the State Address, sharing his vision and thoughts on the future of our state.
In line with his five pillars, the governor will work to achieve the following goals:
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Equip each Indiana resident to secure a career that interests them, supports a good life and grows Indiana’s economy, and ensure Hoosier employers have the skilled workforce they need to grow and succeed.
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Increase the number of opioid treatment locations from 18 to 27 so nearly everyone in Indiana will be less than an hour’s drive to treatment.
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Open Section 5 of I-69, build capacity to resurface 10,000 lane miles of pavement and repair or replace 1,300 bridges over the next five years, as well as build a short- and long-term strategy for Indiana’s aging water infrastructure.
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Reduce Indiana’s infant mortality rate by implementing a Levels of Care program to make sure at-risk babies are delivered in hospitals with facilities that meet the needs of the mother and baby.
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Pass legislation to prepare students for the future by requiring Indiana K-12 schools to offer computer science courses.
For more information on the governor’s State of the State Address, click here.
