LANANE: Governor’s surplus politics don’t add up for every day Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS— Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) issued the following statement in response to the fiscal year close-out numbers released today by the state auditor’s office.

“This budget statement is about misplaced priorities.

“The governor continues to hold resources back and the effects are being felt in communities across the state.

“Good government spends tax dollars prudently with an eye toward the future and improving quality of life in communities across our state.

“The governor’s budget is devised solely to generate the largest surplus possible at the expense of other vital services.

“The goalposts on an acceptable reserve level move further and further back. The governor and his team targeted 12 percent of operating appropriations initially. That number has grown to 14 percent. The fact is, by socking away more than necessary and forcing agencies to preemptively revert, we’re shorting taxpayers and cutting corners on vital services.

“A nominally larger balance statement may look good in a press release, but it’s not filling potholes or rebuilding local roads and bridges or protecting children.

“Reversions like the $1.4 million the Indiana Department of Health was forced to make in the midst of an HIV crisis in southern Indiana and as communities continue to grapple with drug addiction have a consequential impact.

“Instead of prioritizing bipartisan issues like rebuilding local infrastructure and expanding the progress we’ve made on quality early education, the governor continues to beat the drum for more tax cuts for big business like those enacted by Republican legislative supermajorities.

“Decisions like turning down $80 million in seed money to grow the state’s early education program and penny-pinching at the Department of Child Services calls into question whether the governor’s priorities align with every day Hoosiers’.

“Governor Pence continues to embrace the surplus politics of the past. That vision prioritizes special interests ahead of Indiana communities and every day Hoosiers.”

Sen. Lanane represents Indiana Senate District 25 includes the portions of Madison and Delaware counties, including the City of Muncie and portions of the City of Anderson. For more information on Sen. Lanane, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/S25 .

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A photo of Sen. Tim Lanane can be downloaded at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/images/headshots/Lanane.JPG

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…”

[audio http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/files/audio/Lanane.DCSbudgetFunding.042413.mp3]

(Length – 02:18)

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: Broden legislation strengthens Dept. of Child Services oversight

State Senator John Broden has crafted legislation this session to strengthen the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). The Commission on Improving the Status of Children created in Senate Bill (SB) 125 will take on numerous responsibilities to better assist vulnerable Hoosier children. In addition to studying these issues, the commission will also create a committee to specifically oversee the Department of Child Services and a child fatality review committee to designate local teams charged with investigating cases of child death. Both chambers have approved SB 125, and it now awaits the governor’s approval.