PHOTOS: Lawmakers meet for start of the 2013 legislative session

On Tuesday, lawmakers met for Organization Day, the first official day of the 118th General Assembly. Largely a procedural meeting,  new and reelected members were sworn in and other technical matters were addressed. Lawmakers will reconvene on January 7 for the start of the legislative session.

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Honoring those who serve

As the nation takes time this Veterans Day to honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces, the Indiana Senate Democrats would like to send a special Thank You to our Hoosier veterans and their families. Their sacrifice and service to our country deserves our gratitude each and every day.

For generations, Hoosiers have taken up the call to defend our nation. Earlier this fall, a number of those servicemen and women and their families reached out and provided the Indiana Senate Democrats with photos of themselves and their loved ones serving this country. Below, find those images of the Indiana men and women who bravely served in our nation’s armed services.

Senate Democratic Caucus elects new leadership team

Senate Democratic Caucus elects new leadership team

New Democratic Leader Sen.Tim Lanane says common sense issues take priority

INDIANAPOLIS – Members of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus have elected a new team of legislative leaders for the upcoming 118^th Indiana General Assembly.

During a Statehouse caucus held Wednesday, the Senate Democrats voted to elect State Senator Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) as Democratic Floor Leader and State Senator Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis) as Assistant Democratic Floor Leader. Additionally, State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) was re-elected Caucus Chairman. The leaders assume new responsibilities immediately.

According to Sen. Lanane, the immediate needs of Hoosier families are the top concern for the caucus members.

“Our state is in the midst of a challenging time and many Hoosiers are hopeful that better days are on the horizon. Our proposals and budget priorities will reflect the principles of rebuilding our economy, our schools and our local communities,” Lanane explained.

Sen. Lanane continued, “These are common sense issues that truly matter to the citizens of Indiana. My hope is that the majority does not veer from these important challenges to devote too much time on divisive social issues, but that we stick to these very worthy goals and work in a bipartisan fashion to put Hoosiers back to work, provide quality educational opportunities, and move the state forward.

“The Senate Democrats continue to stand ready to work with our colleagues in the General Assembly and the newly elected governor to reach these goals.”

First appointed to the Senate in 1997, Sen. Lanane has served as the Assistant Democratic Leader since 2008. He represents Senate District 25, which encompasses portions of Madison and Delaware counties including the communities of Anderson and Muncie.

Sen. Breaux was appointed to the State Senate in 2006 and has served as Assistant Democratic Caucus Chair since 2008. She represents Senate District 34 which encompasses the near east side of Indianapolis including portions of Center, Washington, Lawrence, and Warren Townships.

Sen. Arnold has served in the State Senate since 2007 and was first elected to serve as the Democratic Caucus Chair in 2008. He represents Senate District 8, which encompasses a majority of LaPorte County including LaPorte and Michigan City, and the western portions of St. Joseph County.

For more information on the Senate Democratic Caucus visit www.SenateDemocrats.IN.gov.

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Early Voting in Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph Counties

Early voting  began on Oct. 9th and closes on Nov. 5 at noon. Registered voters can cast ballots in person during this time at the county election or clerk’s office or at satellite locations in each county. Special weekend voting times are available on Saturday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 3.

PORTER COUNTY

Valparaiso
Porter County Government Center
155 Indiana Ave Ste. 105, Valparaiso In. 46383
Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM –4:30 PM
Sat. Oct 27 and Sat. Nov. 3 8:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Portage
North County Government Complex
3560 Willow Creek Rd. Portage, In. 46368
Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM –3:30 PM
Saturdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 8:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Chesterton
Chesterton Town Hall
790 Broadway – Rm. 107 Chesterton, In. 46304
Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM –3:30 PM
Saturdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 8:30 PM – 4:30 PM

For more information, contact the Porter County Office of Voter Registration.

LAPORTE COUNTY

LaPorte
Circuit Courthouse
813 Lincolnway, LaPorte, 46350
Monday thru Friday 8 AM – 4 PM (closed for lunch from 11:30-noon)
Fridays, Oct. 26 & Nov. 2: 8AM – 6PM
Saturdays, Oct. 27 & Nov. 3: 8AM – 4PM

Michigan City
Superior Courthouse
300 Washington St., Michigan City, 46360
Monday thru Friday 8 AM -4 PM (closed for lunch from 11:30-noon)
Fridays, Oct. 26 & Nov. 2: 8AM – 6PM
Saturdays, Oct. 27 & Nov. 3: 8AM – 4PM

For more information, contact the LaPorte County Office of Voter Registration.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

South Bend
County-City Building Lobby
227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601
Monday thru Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sunday, Nov. 4: 12 noon – 4 PM
Monday, Nov. 5: 8 AM – 12 noon

Mishawaka
County Services Building
219 Lincoln Way West, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Monday thru Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20, 27 and Nov. 3: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sunday, Nov. 4: 12 noon – 4 PM
Monday, Nov. 5: 8 AM – 12 noon

For more information, contact the St. Joseph County Office of Voter Registration.

Improving local government transparency

Indiana lawmakers took steps to curb nepotism and deter conflicts of interest in local government during the 2012 legislative session.  House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1005 targeted the employment of relatives by elected officials in the same unit of government, awarding contracts to relatives of local officials, and conflicts of interest for public employees. The law exempts individuals employed by cities, counties, towns or townships before July 1, 2012, when the legislation officially becomes effective.

Employment of relatives

Under the enacted legislation, cities, counties, towns and townships must adopt policies that prevent an individual from directly overseeing his or her relative.

Carve-outs have been made to nepotism restrictions for limited exceptions, including the hiring of relatives by coroners, sheriffs and township trustee offices that operate out of an individual’s place of residence.  However, local governments may enact relative employment regulations stricter than the state law.

Elected officials now must certify each year that they have complied with newly enacted anti-nepotism legislation.

Contracting with relatives

Requirements will also increase transparency on contracts between cities, counties, towns and townships. If an elected official, on behalf of the public office, enters into or renews a procurement or public works contract with a company in which a relative has an interest the following must be disclosed in writing:

• The nature of the purchase made by the local government
• The nature of the relationship between the elected official and the individual or entity involved in the contract

The disclosure must be affirmed under penalty of perjury and submitted to a local government’s legislative body in a public meeting before the contract is signed off on. The State Board of Accounts and the local government’s circuit court must both receive the disclosure within 15 days of final action on the contract. Finally, the appropriate agency of the local government must also certify that the agreed-upon contract was the lowest bid submitted and make a statement of why the individual or business was selected to fulfill the contract.

Again, elected officials must certify that they complied with these requirements annually.

For more information, visit the Department of Local Government Finance>>

Conflicts of interest

HEA 1005 also prohibits local government employees from serving in elected positions that conflict with their employment. An employee of a city, county, town or township is considered to have resigned from their employment with the local government upon assuming an elected office within the unit or as a member of the local government’s legislative or fiscal body. Volunteer firefighters are also prohibited from holding a position on the executive, fiscal or legislative branch of a local government that receives fire protection from that volunteer’s department. Volunteer firefighters holding an elected office before January 1, 2013, that conflicts with the new provision may serve out their term.

Local election transparency

Senate Enrolled Act 193, authored by Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte), requires every local candidate to submit a financial disclosure statement when they file to run for office. The legislation aimed to bring an added level of transparency to local government races and bring local disclosure laws in line with state requirements. More on this legislation>>

Arnold discusses the end of 2012 legislative session

State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) discusses the end of the 2012 legislative session and the passage of Indiana’s first statewide smoking ban.

Senate honors 2012 Senate Democratic Intern Class

The 2012 Senate Democratic Intern Class is honored by a resolution.

Senators of the 117th General Assembly honored the 2012 Senate Democratic intern class on Monday by unanimously approving a resolution authored by the Senate Democratic Caucus. State Senator Jim Arnold introduced Senate Resolution 78 highlighting each intern’s accomplishments while parents, friends and family members watched from the gallery.

Kaylan Huber, accepting the 2012 Verizon Wireless Intern of the Year Scholarship

Legislative intern Kaylan Huber, from Covington, was awarded the 2012 Verizon Wireless Intern of the Year Scholarship for her strong performance record, academic achievement and participation in the internship program. Huber was the intern for Sen. Arnold and State Senator Lonnie Randolph during session. She is a recent graduate from Indiana University where she completed a double major in Criminal Justice and Biological Anthropology.

Kristen Knuth, accepting the 2012 Rick Gudal Memorial Scholarship.

Additionally, Senate Democratic Leader Vi Simpson presented the 2012 Rick Gudal Memorial Scholarship award to Kristen Knuth who will graduate from Indiana University in May. The Gudal Scholarship is given each year to honor one Senate intern from each caucus who has shown exceptional dedication in assisting and informing constituents. The scholarship is presented in honor of Rick Gudal, a former senate staffer who never turned down a challenge or an opportunity to improve the life of a constituent or coworker.

For more information on the Senate Democratic Internship Program visit http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/internship.htm or visit the program’s Facebook page.

Arnold expects more changes to smoking ban bill

State Senator Jim Arnold notes the addition of more than a dozen amendments to the statewide smoking ban bill, effectively weakening the legislation.

Arnold outlines what’s next for smoking ban bill

State Senator Jim Arnold discusses House Bill 1149, the statewide smoking ban bill. He predicts the bill to move quickly through the Senate before session concludes. The bill is eligible for second reading next week and can be amended by any member of the Senate at that time.

Week in Photos: February 12-17th

Sen. Lanane speaks on an amendment to increase voter access.

Sen. Simpson introducing a resolution to honor the Indiana University Crimson All-Girl Cheerleading team.

Sen. Arnold (left) and Sen. Skinner (right).

Sen. Young explaining his bill to help local food production.

Sen. Breaux introducing a resolution to honor the 2012 Super Bowl Committee and the city of Indianapolis.

Sen. Rogers, Sen. Taylor, Judge Vi Taliaferro, George Taliaferro, Sen. Breaux, Sen. Simpson, and Sen. Randolph.

Sen. Taylor speaking on the resolution to honor the Indiana University Crimson All-Girl Cheerleading team.

Sen. Simpson with George and Judge Vi Taliaferro.

Sen. Simpson.

Sen. Taylor introducing an amendment to increase voter access.

Sen. Simpson and Head Coach of the Indiana University Crimson All-Girl Cheerleading team.

Sen. Simpson and Sen. Hume.

Sen. Lanane.

Sen. Randolph honoring George and Judge Vi Taliaferro.

Sen. Rogers.

Sen. Simpson introducing a resolution to honor George and Judge Vi Taliaferro.