2-1-1 in demand – and in need

Lucinda Nord, Vice President of Indiana Association of United Ways, and Attorney General Greg Zoeller testified before the Regulatory Flexibility Committee on September 28 to explain the need for additional funding for 2-1-1 services in Indiana.

Currently, most IN211 Centers are privately funded though local United Ways, community foundations, or other private donors. A state fund was established for 2-1-1 in 2004 by the General Assembly. But since that time, the demand for 2-1-1 services has doubled, but no state dollars have been deposited into the account.

Nord testified that as the recession and high unemployment rates have increased the need for social service referrals, Indiana’s 211 call centers have not been able to keep pace with demands.

Full implementation of the 2-1-1 program would cost an estimated $1.00-1.50 per capita, or $6.3-6.9 million per year. Currently, 2-1-1 is operating with approximately $3.8 million in private donations.

What is 2-1-1?

2-1-1 is like 9-1-1 for social service referrals. It is a toll-free, 24-7 hotline that people can call to get information about or immediate referrals for emergency shelter, food pantries, soup kitchens, assistance with their utility bills, etc.

Who is served by 2-1-1?

• In 2009, 2-1-1 centers answered over 440,000 calls and addressed 453,000 needs by making 636,000 referrals to 22,000 human service organizations across the state.
• Indiana’s 211 line is only accessible in 79 out of 92 counties.
• Due to technical routing issues, many individuals do not have access to Indiana’s 211 line.
• Click here for a map of areas served by 211 and a pie chart of caller needs.

Recommendations to the committee:

• Allow state agencies to use their discretionary funds to support the referrals that 2-1-1 makes on their behalf.
• Require all communication providers doing business in Indiana to enable access to Indiana’s 2-1-1 phone lines.
• Complete the “public” side of the public-private partnership to maximize federal, state and local resources.

Watch the video below for additional comments from Sen.  Jean Breaux of Indianapolis, a member of the Regulatory Flexibility Committee.

Economic Development Committee update

The Study Committee on Economic Development met for the second time today at the Statehouse. Sen. Sue Errington of Muncie said the testimony during this meeting focused on Indiana’s advantages and disadvantages in promoting job creation. The committee is scheduled to meet again on October 5 at the Purdue Technology Center.

Watch Sen. Errington’s brief update on today’s meeting:

Aging in Place: Creating Communities for a Lifetime in Indiana

On September 8 the Indiana Health Finance Commission heard testimony on the Hoosier Communities for a Lifetime initiative, a proposal designed to help local communities better address the needs of aging residents. The initiative has been proposed by several leading advocacy groups in the state, including AARP Indiana, IU Center on Aging and Community, and Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

State adoption of a statewide community model could help local communities better address basic needs such as housing and mobility, optimize physical and mental health through accessible services, maximize independence for those with frailty or disability, and promote social and civic engagement.

No news is… no news. A report from the State Budget Committee meeting

No news on state program cuts

The State Budget Committee met on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Statehouse. Despite “Fiscal Year 2010 Close-Out” on the agenda, no new information on state program cuts was presented by the State Budget Agency. Instead, committee members were presented with a series of graphs illustrating the overall status of Indiana’s state finances.

No further details on program cuts were available to legislators or the public. The State Budget Agency rests on information provided by agencies in response to Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson’s June 1 request. Read more from the June 1 announcement>>.

Only 10 of 62 responses answered all five of Simpson’s requested items. Some agency letters left all of the questions unanswered, including the primary information sought by legislators and the public -  “A list of your agency’s implemented and proposed cuts and withheld distributions for FY 2010 and 2011 by program.” Read the agency responses>>

The call for transparency in state spending continues. Read more about the Indiana Open Government Initiative>>

Timing just right: Move forward on capital projects, create jobs

Also on the agenda were state projects awaiting final funding approval, including a small number of university capital projects. Democrats on the committee pushed to get more capital projects at state universities underway as soon as possible, saying the projects would create as many as 2,000 jobs and push as much as $100 million in personal earnings into local economies.

The problem of teen “sexting”

On August 25 the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee took up the issue of teens and “sexting.” Sexting by teens generally refers to the sending of sexually suggestive or explicit text messages between peers, but the issue also includes the same material shared via emails, social media postings, and other venues for online communication. The committee was assigned with a review of the topic by the 2010 General Assembly under SEA 224, which also allowed school corporations to begin offering classes or instruction regarding the risks and consequences of sexting.

Simpson calls for transparency; cites executive branch culture of secrecy

Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson announced in a media availability today that Senate Democrats plan to introduce legislation to enhance transparency in state government budgeting and spending.

Citing a culture of secrecy within the executive branch, Simpson said there is a critical need for transparency. Specifically, Simpson says she is shocked by the lack of public information available on program cuts and on the use of taxpayer money for economic development incentives.

The governor refers to Indiana as the island of prosperity. We’re the island of secrets. - Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson

LISTEN: Simpson says, “It is really a matter of trust…”

In her statements to the press, Simpson outlined previous requests dating back to January asking for a comprehensive list of cuts made to state services and programs. The State Budget Agency has indicated that a comprehensive list of cuts does not exist.

Today Simpson sent letters to the head of each state agency asking for a list of the agency’s implemented and proposed cuts by program, the methodology used to determine how the cuts are made, implementation dates of all budget cuts and personnel layoffs, expected reversions by program, and the estimated impact of cuts on people served by each program. State agencies were ordered to cut 10% in FY2010 and were notified in April that the governor wants 15% budget reversions from each agency’s budget in FY2011.

Video: 2010 Session in Review

Video: Simpson’s 2010 Session Closing Remarks

The 2010 legislative session of the 116th General Assembly ended in the early morning on March 13, with 115 enrolled acts sent to the governor’s desk for final action.

Click the play button below to listen to Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson’s closing remarks on the 2010 legislative session:

Audio: Senate Democrats push for jobs bills in Senate

Today members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, including Senator Tim Lanane, Senator Bob Deig, Senator Sue Errington, and Senator Vi Simpson, held a press conference introducing a series of legislative amendments today aimed at protecting Hoosier jobs and encouraging businesses to rehire laid off workers.

Listen to the full press conference below:

Democrats’ clean energy amendments blocked in Senate

Indiana Senate Democrats were blocked by Republicans in a series of amendments on Senate Bill 313 to improve Indiana’s net metering policy.

Net metering regulations allow homeowners and businesses to generate their own electricity and roll their meters backward when they send any excess power back onto the electric grid.  Net metering allows anyone to participate in the energy economy while helping ensure a more reliable electric distribution system.

State Senator Jean Breaux of Indianapolis proposed an amendment to limit the size of net metering systems for utility customers who generate some of their own power through solar, wind or other means.

“Net metering is intended to promote small renewable energy systems for homeowners, farmers, office buildings, schools, and city and county governments,” said Breaux. “This amendment would make sure that customers are constructing their renewable energy systems for their own estimated annual use and not for profit.”

Listen to Senator Breaux’s comments from the Senate floor:

State Sentator Sue Errington of Muncie proposed an amendment to allow for monthly rollover of credit for excess generation on a rolling annual basis rather than on a monthly basis as the original bill language dictates. Monthly rollover allows the customer to receive year-round benefit from their generation system providing a better return on investment and quicker pay-back to consumers.

“We must make net metering work for consumers by enabling them to get a fair return on the energy they produce,” said Errington. “This amendment encourages the installation of renewable energy equipment and saves consumers money by crediting them for the energy they create.”

Listen to Senator Errington’s comments from the Senate floor:

State Senator John Broden of South Bend proposed an amendment that provides that a single customer whose energy consumption is recorded on more than one meter may be credited the full amount on one electric bill. This would benefit businesses, farmers and local government units that have multiple buildings or facilities, each with their own meter.

The amendments would encourage clean energy production by schools, businesses and homeowners. All three amendments failed.

What is net metering?

Net metering allows for the measurement of both the usage and production of electricity. Small-scale renewable energy production has grown in popularity through the use of modern wind mills, high efficiency solar panels, and other mechanisms. The practice can reduce the demand from power plants and increase the amount of alternative energy available on the utility grid.

Where does Indiana stand?

42 other states have adopted a net metering policy. Indiana, however, has one of the lowest individual system capacity limits (see map). Indiana’s current net metering policy received an F from The Network for New Energy Choices, a national energy policy organization.

Tax credits for homegrown energy:

Indiana offers state property tax exemptions for the installation of geothermal technologies. For more information please contact Donna Palmer with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at 317-233-0478.

Property tax exemption information for the installation of solar and wind technologies can be found by contacting your local county auditor or county assessor.