State Senator Karen Tallian led several Senate Democratic initiatives to improve the 2013 biennial budget for Hoosiers in House Bill 1001. Senate Democrats sought funding for a pilot pre-kindergarten education program, oversight of school voucher expansion through a summer study committee and additional funding to improve local infrastructure. The Senate Democratic Caucus will continue to push for these initiatives as the proposal moves through conference committee.
This session, State Senator Tim Skinner opposed a bill that would greatly expand Indiana’s private school voucher program. Under House Bill (HB) 1003, the voucher program would be extended to any student who lives in an attendance zone with a failing school or has a sibling already participating in the program. In addition, the legislation permanently lifts the cap on the number of vouchers and increases eligibility to those earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Senate Democrats have opposed this measure due to the more than $100 million in funding it will take away from public education between fiscal years 2014-15, as well as the unknown future costs of a fully expanded program. In an effort to slow this expansion, Senate Democrats proposed a summer study committee to research the effect voucher expansion will have on public education and its potential costs, but they were rejected along party-line votes. HB 1003 is likely to undergo additional changes during conference committees, where Sen. Skinner will shape final negotiations.
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.
To make an Indiana college degree accessible to more Hoosiers, State Senator Earline Rogers has pushed Senate Bill (SB) 207 through the legislative process. The proposal seeks to restore in-state tuition eligibility to a group of students who lost their eligibility as a result of a 2011 law requiring proof of citizenship. Students will now have the chance resume their education who were forced to withdraw after their tuition rates more than tripled. After changes made by the House, honorably discharged veterans will also benefit from SB 207 by becoming eligible for resident tuition rates as long as they enroll at a public university within 12 months of leaving the service. The measure aims to increase access to higher education for individuals who wish to reside in Indiana. SB 207 currently awaits Senate approval of House changes.
State Senator Lindel Hume authored a bill that was approved and signed by the governor expanding job opportunities for Emergency Medical Technician veterans. As a top priority for the Indiana Senate Democrats, Senate Bill 290 will allow medically-trained veterans to become certified through the Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission if they have prior experience in medical services fields. Upon passing testing requirements, applicants will be issued licenses without undergoing supplementary education while temporary licenses will be applied to veterans who need to complete additional training.
This session, State Senator Lonnie Randolph authored a bill expanding economic development opportunities for Lake Michigan industries. In an effort to draw more business and tourism, Senate Bill 173 would allow waterfront restaurants receiving local, state or federal funding to sell alcoholic beverages if they participate in lakefront development projects. This legislation would have a large impact on increasing competition for Northwest Indiana towns, such as Whiting, seeking to revitalize their waterfronts in order to attract in more business. This proposal was developed from previous legislation promoting riverside development.
Legislation to increase safety for Hoosier school children is being considered under Senate Bill 1. Co-authored by State Senator Jim Arnold, this proposal would assist schools in hiring more police officers and specify how to implement school resource officer programs. Officers would need to complete training requirements, as well as receive an additional 40 hours of certified school officer training. The bill also helps schools hire police officers by providing $10 million in state funding and various grant opportunities. The House of Representatives recently removed controversial language requiring at least one armed school employee in every Indiana public school, sending the proposal instead to a summer study committee to research further safety measures.
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.
State Senator Greg Taylor has been involved in numerous proposals aiming to raise standards of child care for Indiana. Senate Bill 305 seeks to streamline and strengthen standards for child care providers across Indiana by establishing safety and sanitation guidelines in areas such as bathroom hygiene and transportation safety for facilities that are licensed and accept Child Care Development Fund vouchers as payment. The legislation also equalizes standards and investigative procedures across private care providers and child care services offered through religious establishments.
A proposal to promote transparency and accountability for businesses receiving taxpayer-funded incentives is moving forward. Co-authored by State Senator Jean D. Breaux, Senate Bill 162 requires incentive-receiving corporations to submit an annual progress report to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The report would include a list of performance goals, an expected amount of financial investment and the projected number of employees hired compared to the amount of jobs actually created. The IEDC would also be required to file an annual compliance report to include active incentive recipients. Incentives would be revoked if a company did not meet requirements specified in the initial contract.
Indiana Senate Democrats: The Briefing Room 
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