Unlike many meetings where office holders talk about their plans, State Senator Eric Bassler of Washington sat among a semi-circle of constituents and listened, speaking only to answer questions directed to him. Bassler began a series of town hall meetings at the Cherry Ghost Coffee House on Washington’s Main Street Monday evening.
In answers to questions about drugs, Bassler said the General Assembly is discussing approaches ranging from restricting the size of opioid prescriptions to mandating physicians conduct computer checks on patients before writing a prescription. When asked about legalizing the use of marijuana, the Senator said he thinks the legalization of medical marijuana has a chance in the legislature, but, he also said there is still a lot of work and study to do on the topic. As far as the legalization of recreational marijuana goes, Bassler said he feels it is a very long way off.
When answering a question about the 10 cents per gallon gas tax hike, Bassler admitted that Hoosier roads have been neglected for several years and this was an attempt to catch up on maintenance projects. He said the General Assembly felt the tax was more of a user fee for people using the state’s roads. Bassler said the State is looking at other revenue sources to pay for future road projects.
In the area of education, Bassler said that as enrollment declines, most rural schools will come under increasing pressure. He said the General Assembly will be discussing what should Schools look like, how many corporations there should be, and how educational services should be delivered as technology changes. But Bassler said the number of schools should be a local decision.
Bassler also heard about concerns ranging from certification requirements for massage therapists and elder care, to the need for warning signs on lakes and rivers warning Hoosiers of the dangers of brain-eating amoebas in warm still water. At the end of the question/answer session…Bassler told WAMW he was pleased with the meeting.
Bassler continues his Town-Hall sessions at 6 pm,Oct 17, at the Loogootee City Hall.
