Although this year’s session of the Indiana General Assembly has been less controversial than many past sessions, several important pieces of legislation are up for consideration.
Among other issues, state lawmakers are reviewing bills that, if passed, could lower property taxes, streamline local government and expand voting centers, among other numerous changes.
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, a coalition of minority state senators and representatives, is urging citizens to take some time to examine the proposals that could impact their lives.
“The most prominent issue, which is of great concern to everyone in our state, is definitely property taxes,” said Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, chairman of the IBLC. “They have devastated homeowners across the state, especially those living in urban areas.”
Lawmakers are currently reviewing a proposal presented by Gov. Mitch Daniels that would use a 1 percent increase in the state sales tax to create lower property taxes for homeowners, landlords and businesses. The House is also reviewing a Senate resolution that would place a limit on how much officials can raise property taxes.
Also currently under debate in the House is a Senate bill that would eliminate the duties of township assessors and place them under county assessors, which supporters say would save taxpayers money.
“We need to be watchful of that legislation,” said Smith. “Our communities need township officers such as township assessors because they are the closest to the people.”
Smith also encourages citizens to support House Bills 1184 and 1107, two pieces of legislation sponsored by the IBLC and authored by Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis.
House Bill 1184, which passed the House and is being considered by the Senate would create a teacher recruitment program and fund for qualified African-American and Hispanic male teachers to rectify a shortage of these teachers in Indiana schools.
“This would help improve the values that these young men have and provide them with positive role models as they go through the changes of adolescence,” Smith said.
House Bill 1107, which is also now in the Senate, requires that the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) develop “cultural competency” standards to help teachers address the needs of students who come from varying backgrounds. Cultural training programs would be designed to specifically focus on students who are members of a racial or ethnic minority, who do not speak English as a primary language, who come from a lower economic background or who are exceptional learners.
“For teachers to effectively connect with their students, they need to understand the culture in which they come from and how that culture affects their learning style and cognitive ability,” Porter said. “We have a gap between teachers and students. This legislation will help the state to close that gap.”
Smith noted that citizens don’t have to sit on the sidelines as their lawmakers vote on key legislation. Citizens have several options that can be used to help them communicate with legislators and keep abreast of critical proposals.
“The Internet is a great tool that they can use to find out who represents them and actually view our meetings in session,” said Smith. “They can also keep up with issues by simply reading newspapers and attending open forums for citizens at the Statehouse.”
Many legislators also mail surveys to constituents in their districts, enabling citizens to have a voice before legislators decide which way to vote on a bill up for consideration.
Rep. John Bartlett, D-Indianapolis, noted that citizens can also play a role in the early stage of the legislative process by keeping track of bills that are being discussed in House and Senate committees. It is there where bills are fine tuned, approved or eliminated before reaching the full House and Senate floor.
“There are a wide range of issues that lawmakers need to tackle this session and committee meetings are essential in crafting the public policy that will work to solve these issues,” said Bartlett, who is in his first session as a representative. “Committee work is of equal importance to anything that happens on the House floor, and I am excited to be involved in the process.”
