Commission set to investigate ISTEP+ interruptions

Next Friday, the Commission on Education will begin their examination of Indiana’s ISTEP+ testing procedure. The commission will look to identify the issues that led to the disruption of the state’s computerized testing system affecting as many as 80,000 students.

The meeting will begin at 1pm in the Senate Chamber and will include testimony from CTB/McGraw-Hill President Ellen Haley. CTB/McGraw-Hill holds the four-year contract to provide testing services to Indiana’s schools, running through June 2014. The contract was awarded in 2011 by then Superintendent of Public instruction Tony Bennett.

Current State Superintendent Glenda Ritz had earlier this month moved forward with an independent review  to verify ISTEP+ test scores. Student test scores factor into how both teachers and schools are evaluated.

The meeting is open to the public.

Lawmakers overturn governor’s veto

On Wednesday, the Indiana General Assembly voted to override the governor’s veto on House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1546, assuring that the measure now becomes law.  The Indiana House of Representatives voted 68-23 to overturn the veto, clearing the way for a final 34-12 vote in the Senate.

The governor moved to block the engrossed act following the close of the legislative session, expressing concern over language that would retroactively reauthorize local taxing measures in Pulaski and Jackson counties.

Opponents of the effort to override the governor’s veto noted that in both counties, the authorization for collecting the taxes had expired but Hoosiers had continued to pay the levy. Supporters pointed to other measures within the bill, including language supporting the families of disabled Hoosier veterans, as reason to overturn the governor’s veto and see the measure to become law.

A veto override is a tool by which legislators can consider proposals passed during the regular session but rejected by the governor. To override the governor’s veto, both chambers must again pass the vetoed measure by a simple majority.

The General Assembly adjourned sine die and lawmakers will return to the Statehouse over the summer and fall to begin interim study committees.

Rundown on issues the General Assembly will study this summer>>

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2013 study committees to examine ISTEP, Common Core, ACA and more

Throughout the summer and fall when the Indiana General Assembly is not in session, interim committees and commissions are convened to conduct in-depth research and analysis on many complex issues facing the state. The recommendations formed over the next few months by the work of these committees –including public testimony– are included in proposals likely to be considered during the next legislative session. Most study committees must complete their work by November 1st.

On Thursday, the Legislative Council approved a resolution adopting a variety of topics for study, including:

Interim Study Committee on Common Core Education

The newly-established committee will take up whether the state will continue to roll out Common Core standards or proceed in a different direction. The committee will compare the state’s current standards to Common Core and consider best practices in developing and adopting Common Core standards. The committee will also examine the cost of implementation and hear testimony from teachers, testing experts, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction among others.

School Safety Interim Study Committee

Another new working group, the School Safety Interim Study Committee, will look to improve safety among the state’s schools and develop best practices for school resource officers hired under provisions laid out in Senate Enrolled Act 1. The bill provided schools with grant funding to hire officers to assist with school safety and security.

Commission on Education

The Commission on Education will study the effects of unprecedented school voucher expansion in Indiana. The committee will consider the academic performance and graduation rates of choice scholarship schools and how they compare to traditional public schools. The committee will also study the demographics of students receiving vouchers including income, race, and special needs of choice scholarship students as compared to those students enrolled in public schools. Overall, the committee will examine why parents choose to enroll their child in the school choice scholarship program, as well as the student growth and achievement for students enrolled in the voucher program over time.

Examining the administration of ISTEP testing

Following widespread issues with ISTEP testing across the state this spring, lawmakers will immediately review the testing process in June. The commission will hear testimony from the company behind ISTEP’s online testing software, McGraw-Hill, administrators and other concerned parties.

How central Indiana residents and businesses can apply in-person for disaster relief loans

In response to recent severe weather and flooding beginning 3 weeks ago, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) will be assisting Hoosiers who have questions or want to apply in-person for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Those who wish to apply in-person will have the opportunity to do so at one of four Disaster Loan Centers on Saturday, May 18. This will be the only weekend that the center in Grant, Howard, Madison and Tipton counties will be open.  All four centers will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on May 18th.

Low-interest disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Huntington, Madison, Miami, Tipton, Wabash and Wells counties. Hoosiers in these counties can apply by visiting any one of the four centers or by applying on the SBA website.

Members of the SBA will be on hand to take questions and aid residents, small businesses, and non-profit organizations in the disaster loan process. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will also have staff at the centers to provide flood victims with information about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund. Grants of up to $5,000 may be available for Hoosiers who suffered flood damage, but may not be eligible for a federal loan.

The Disaster Loan Centers will continue to be open Monday (May 20) through Thursday (May 23) next week.

Disaster Center Locations and Hours

Grant County
Marion City Hall
301 South Branson Street
Marion, IN 46952
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Howard County
Howard County Alternate EOC
627 South Berkley Road
Kokomo, IN 46901
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Tipton County
Tipton County Courthouse
101 East Jefferson
Tipton, IN 46072
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

Madison County
The Closed Water Company Office
1139 N. Anderson Street
Elwood, IN 46036
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Noon (Hours for 5/18/13 only)

SBA Disaster Loans

Hoosiers can apply by visiting one of the SBA Disaster Centers or online at
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
.

Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Individuals and businesses can call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Those suffering damage to personal or business property must return applications by July 9, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications – which includes, for example, payroll, working capital and other business financial commitments – is February 10, 2014. 

Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Click here to report your flood or storm damage to the IDHS or contact your local emergency management agency.>>>

Visit the IDHS website for more information on how to prepare for severe weather and record damage reports.>>>

April jobless rate dips to 8.5%

On Friday, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced Indiana’s April unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, down from 8.7 percent in March. Indiana’s unemployment rate had risen or held steady in the previous four months.

Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to hover a full percentage point above the national unemployment rate which fell a tenth of a percent to 7.5 percent in April. Ohio’s unemployment rate dipped to 7.0 percent, 1.5 points lower than Indiana’s. Kentucky jobless rate also decreased, falling to 7.9 percent. The unemployment rate in Illinois fell two tenths of a percent from March to 9.3 percent and Michigan’s 8.4 percent rate was down nearly a full percentage point below last year’s jobless rate.

County with the highest unemployment rate: Fayette- 11.4%
County with the lowest unemployment rate: Dubois- 5.2%

Employment Report (LAUS)

• Labor Force Estimates for U.S., Indiana, MSAs, Counties, Cities
• Ranking of Indiana Counties by Unemployment Rate
• Indiana County Map with Unemployment Rates

Jobs Report (CES)

• Seasonally-Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Non-Seasonally-Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Detail Employment Listing- Stateside & MSAs

 

VIDEO: 2013 Session in Review

The first regular session of the 118th Indiana General Assembly concluded in the early hours of April 27. Of the over 1,200 bills filed, 295 headed to the governor’s desk for final approval. Take a look at some of this legislative session’s most memorable moments, including floor debate over contentious issues like school funding  and visits from Hoosiers across the state through previously unreleased images.

VIDEO: Sen. Arnold reflects on the conclusion of the 2013 session

State Senator Jim Arnold on the conclusion of the 2013 legislative session and the status of some important pieces of legislation that he worked on throughout the process. The 2013 Indiana General Assembly concluded on April 27, 2013, sending 295 bills to the governor for his final approval.

VIDEO: Sen. Lanane elaborates on summer study committee topics, session conclusion

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane on the conclusion of the 2013 legislative session and the status of some important pieces of legislation he worked on throughout the process. The 2013 Indiana General Assembly concluded on April 27, 2013, sending 295 bills to the governor for his final approval.

2013 session concludes: A look at major issues

Budget

Legislators approved the state’s two-year, $30 billion budget early Saturday morning. The most important initiative debated during the 2013 session, House Bill (HB)1001 contains proposals advocated for by Senate Democrats, including increased local road funding, additional resources to address back-logged maintenance and building projects for the state’s public universities, and an appropriation for statewide programs for community corrections.

However, a number of Senate Democrats were dissatisfied with the budget’s lack of action on combating the state’s unemployment rate and unequal support for the state’s public education system as reasons to not support the budget.  The approved budget includes the following:

Roads and Infrastructure

Throughout the session, Senate Democrats argued that rebuilding the state’s aging infrastructure would inject vital funding into local communities and reduce the cost of doing business for Hoosier companies. The budget diverts 1 percent of the sales tax and use tax for the General Fund to the Motor Vehicle Highway Funds – directing over $100 million in additional funding to local units each year. The proposal also creates the Major Moves 2020 Trust Fund, appropriating $200 million each year to be used for major highway expansion projects.

Education funding

Cut in the previous two budgets, Senate Democrats pushed to fully restore funding for Indiana schools. While K-12 funding increases 2 percent over 2013 levels for 2014 and 1 percent in 2015, compared to 2011 funding, 183 schools will receive less in 2015 than they received in 2011. That’s means more than half the state’s schools will receive less funding in 2015 than they had four years earlier.

State universities

The state’s institutions of higher education receive $215 million to fund new university building projects. The budget also allocates $66 million per year in the form of incentives for universities that meet certain performance metrics set out by the Commission on Higher Education.

Medicaid Expansion

After nearly four months, the General Assembly declined to take action on enacting the federal health care reform in a way that works for Hoosiers. Since the onset of the legislative session, Senate Democrats have brought to light the possibility of creating 30,000 new jobs, injecting billions of federal dollars into local communities and providing more than 400,000 uninsured working Hoosiers with medical services through the enactment of health care reform.

Language included in the budget bill, HB 1001, transfers $250M in FY 14 to the Medicaid Contingency and Reserve Account. HB 1001 also provides that FSSA may not implement a waiver or Medicaid state plan until they have developed a sustainable financing plan for a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver and plan has been reviewed by State Budget Committee. In addition, HB 1001 authorizes the governor, with budget committee review, to negotiate with the federal government to receive Medicaid block grants.

Education issues

March jobless rate steady at 8.7%

On Friday, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced Indiana’s March unemployment rate held steady at 8.7 percent. March marked the first time in four months Indiana’s unemployment rate had not increased.

While the national unemployment rate fell .1 percent from February, Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to hover more than a full percentage point above than the national rate of 7.6 percent. In comparison to surrounding states, Ohio’s  unemployment rate remained steady at 7.1 percent, 1.6 points lower than Indiana’s.  The unemployment rate  in Kentucky was .6 percent lower than Indiana’s at 8.1 percent. Illinois held even from February at 9.5 percent. Michigan’s 8.5 percent unemployment rates declined by .3 percent from February.

County with the highest unemployment rate: Vermillion- 12.9%
County with the lowest unemployment rate: Hamilton- 6.3%

Employment Report (LAUS)

• Labor Force Estimates for U.S., Indiana, MSAs, Counties, Cities
• Ranking of Indiana Counties by Unemployment Rate
• Indiana County Map with Unemployment Rates

Jobs Report (CES)

• Seasonally-Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Non-Seasonally-Adjusted Employment Table for Indiana
• Detail Employment Listing- Stateside & MSAs