Author Archives: Chase Downham

Who’s Representing You?

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As a part of the decennial census and as required by law, the Indiana General Assembly recently passed new legislative district maps for Indiana’s state house, state senate and congressional districts. If you haven’t already seen the new maps you can do so at these links: House, Senate, Congress.

While the timeline to drawing these maps were very similar, when they are actually implemented is a whole other issue. The Terre Haute Tribune-Star brought to light this fact in a recent article.

So who are your current legislators? The Indiana House and Congress are following the standard model. For example, even if your home has been drawn into a new legislative district your current representation in the Indiana House and Congress would remain the same prior to the redistricting until after the 2012 Election when you have had a chance to vote on your new representative.

The Indiana Senate is different. Here, your state senator might change based on the new Indiana Senate district map with the decision to go ahead and implement those changes prior to the next election. The reason for this is because only half of the Indiana Senate is elected at any given election. The Senate believes that enacting those changes now will avoid confusion later.

Got it? If not, use the new Indiana Senate district map and compare it to the list of Indiana senators here to see who’s representing you.

School Choice Voucher Bill in House

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Legislation to create the state’s first school choice "voucher" program for low and middle-income families is before the Indiana House.  Please share this message with your employees and colleagues.

House Bill 1003 would create the Choice Scholarship Program to allow lower-income families to take a portion of the per-pupil funding being spent on their child in their assigned public school and use it to pay tuition and fees at the public or private school of their choice.

The proposal is part of the K-12 education reform package being advocated by legislative leaders, Gov. Daniels and Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett. Thousands of Indiana students, for the first time, could choose their own schools and have per-pupil funding follow them.

The plan is under assault from teacher unions and much of the public school establishment because it would introduce real competition and empower parents to choose the best school setting, public or private, for their children.

If you support providing parents with more school choices, your state legislator needs to hear from you today!  Please contact your state legislator today to urge passage of HB 1003.  

Will Indiana Become the 23rd Right-to-Work State?

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Last week the Indiana Chamber of Commerce released both a study and poll detailing the benefits and popularity behind right-to-work. This important legislation is one of the biggest, most effective steps Indiana could take in 2011 to significantly improve our state’s competitiveness in attracting job-creating companies.

In addition to these efforts, the Indiana Chamber’s grassroots advocacy program has been urging our member companies and employees to send a letter or make a phone call to their legislators. Already the Chamber can account for over 800 letters and countless numbers of phone calls to both state senators and representatives demanding Indiana adopt a right-to-work law. 

If you haven’t already contacted your legislators on this critically important issue, be sure to do so. It’s quick and easy. Just visit the site and make your voice heard. Additional information is available.