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.

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.

Lanane calls for restoration of Dept. of Child Services funding in state budget

On Wednesday, Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane called for the restoration of funds to the Department of Child Services (DCS) in the closing days of the budget process. Citing a recent DCS annual report on child fatalities showing an influx of child deaths in 2011, Sen. Lanane said the General Assembly should fully implement the recommendations of the Department of  Child Services Interim Study Committee that met last summer.

The bipartisan committee endorsed a number of recommendations, including the use of a “hybrid” abuse and neglect hotline system that would allow mandatory reporters – like teachers, police officers and medical personnel – to report instances of abuse directly to local DCS offices. Sen. Lanane said this “hybrid” system of reporting, along with the funding needed to support it, needs to be restored in the closing days of the legislative session to ensure the protection of Hoosier children. He indicated this “hybrid” system  would assist the agency in responding in a timely and thorough manner to cases of child abuse or neglect around the state. Lanane noted that the House-approved budget allocated $40 million to DCS, while the Senate version reduces DCS funding by $10 million to $30 million.

SEN. LANANE: “Well the concern that I raised on the floor of the Indiana Senate today, as we’re entering the last couple of days here of the budget process, is the removal of some very important funding for the Department of Child Services…”

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Over a four month period, the Department of Child Service Interim Study Committee took hours of public testimony from stakeholders including child advocates, caseworkers and concerned Hoosiers. The committee held hearings in communities across the state and released a litany of recommendations to be considered during the 2013 legislative session.

Read more on the work of the Department of Child Services Interim Study Committee>>

Some of the committee’s recommendations have been adopted in the form of separate legislation.

Sen. Broden on 2013 DCS reform legislation:

 

VIDEO: Lanane on proposal to create local jobs

In an effort to increase job opportunities and economic growth, State Senator Tim Lanane co-authored Senate Bill 528, which will allow Indiana’s gaming facilities to better compete with those in neighboring states. After passing out of the Senate, the bill underwent several changes in the House, such as removing provisions permitting live table games at racinos and allowing riverboat casinos to expand inland. The bill is likely to undergo additional changes during conference committees.

Open for Questions: Your top three questions answered

In February, the Indiana Senate Democrats launched an interactive campaign to learn what you wanted to know about state government. Over 300 constituents weighed in, recording 90 questions and logging more than 5,000 votes.

The three most popular questions and answers straight from Senate Democratic Caucus members are featured below. Thank you to those citizens who participated in this online conversation.

Government Transparency

“Citizens United turned corporations into people. One state is even considering a law to allow corporations to vote in elections. It’s time for Indiana to ban corporations from buying our politicians and running (ruining) the Great State of Indiana.” – Brett from Shelbyville, IN

Education Funding

“With all the money that was cut from education, and the new tax credit we are getting, why can’t we try to fight back now to invest in education and get some or most of those funds back? I don’t know any other country that doesn’t recognize that they must invest in the education of their country’s children to survive and to strive forward. Every time there are cuts, it is in education.” – Community member

Benefits for Elected Officials

“Seeing how the rest of the country is struggling, and our debt just keeps increasing with no end in sight, and no help from our politicians, don’t you think that politicians should be the first in line to help cut the deficit by eliminating their endless perks and lifetime benefits?” – Anthony from Munster, IN

VIDEO: Sen. Lanane provides update on proposal studying penalties for harming police K-9s

State Senator Tim Lanane gives an update on legislation that would increase accountability for individuals who harm law enforcement dogs. Sen. Lanane introduced an amendment to House Bill (HB) 1093 that would assign an interim study committee to determine a suitable criminal penalty for injuring or killing a police animal after two police dogs were killed in Madison County in the past year.

VIDEO: Lanane outlines mid-session deadlines

As the 2013 legislative session nears its halfway point, Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) explains how legislation moves across the rotunda for consideration by the Indiana House.

Call for public study of Marion County overhaul denied

Sen. Breaux debates an amendment to SB 621 that would create a committee to study the impact of eliminating Marion-County Council’s at-large seats. The amendment was rejected by a vote of 13-37.

On a party-line vote, members of the Indiana Senate rejected an amendment to study a major overhaul of Marion County government. The amendment to Senate Bill (SB) 621, proposed by Assistant Democratic Leader Jean D. Breaux, would have created a summer study committee to examine the impact of eliminating the City-County Council’s At-large councilor seats and reducing mayoral residency requirements, among other significant changes.

Sen. Breaux’s proposal to study the move aimed to lengthen the conversation on the issue; however, it was rejected, 13-37. Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, particularly those representing areas within Marion County, expressed their disappointment that more public discussion was not had before passing such a substantial shift of power.

SEN. BREAUX: “I was hoping, with the amendment I offered to 621, to do as I said on the floor and that is to slow this process down…”

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SEN. LANANE: “It seems very clear to me that the elimination of the…”

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SEN. LANANE: “I was disappointed our amendment was defeated because…”

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SEN. TAYLOR: “I think the amendment would have done something we always do in the legislature. We allow the public to have public input…”

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VIDEO: Lanane on status of health care reform in Indiana

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane lays out the benefits of the federal health care law and why expanding coverage impacts all Hoosiers.

VIDEO: Lanane on economic development opportunities for Madison County

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) updates constituents on legislation being considered by the Indiana General Assembly to expand gaming as well as legislation he authored streamlining the process to petition for a name change.