Tim Lanane

Don Peslis Honored as Distinguished Hoosier

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:32:45 -0700

Don Peslis was honored as Distinguished Hoosier at Edgewater Park in Anderson, Indiana Saturday October 11, 2008.

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Don Peslis Named Distinguished Hoosier

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:32:45 -0700

Don Peslis Honored as Distinguished Hoosier.

More information...

Don Peslis: Distinguished Hoosier

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:32:45 -0700

Don Peslis Honored as Distinguished Hoosier.

More information...

Character Counts Celebrates 10 Years in Madison County with Parade, Block Party

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:24:16 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - As part of 'Character Counts Week' in Anderson, Crime Watch put together a large block party for after the annual Character Counts parade. At the festivities, Don Peslis, director of the Center for Character Development at Anderson University, was named a Distinguished Hoosier.

The honor, bestowed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, was presented to Peslis by Senator Tim Lanane and Representative Terri Austin.

"We live in a community that is built on a foundation of strong values and will continue to build on that foundation well into the future," Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said in a press release. "Anderson has been a Character Counts! community for 10 years and awareness of the six pillars of character has spread throughout schools, government, and private businesses."

For more information about the Center for Character Development at Anderson University, call (765) 641-3861, or go to www.character-development.org .

Week in Review at the Indiana General Assembly from Senate Democrats

kpaul.mallasch — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:44:17 -0800

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Legislators spent long hours this week working through major deadlines debating legislation which had already gained the approval of one chamber. Bills which have advanced without amendments proceed to the governor for final consideration and possible enactment. Legislation which has been amended, must return to its house of origin for approval of all changes. If amendments are not agreed to, the legislation advances to a joint House-Senate conference committee and members representing both chambers and both political parties work together to negotiate compromises. Final conference committee reports must then be approved by both chambers. Lawmakers must conclude business by the session's deadline of March 14th. The following brief summary highlights some of this week's activities in the Senate.

Senate Democrats offer alternative tax relief plan

This week Senate Democrats proposed an alternative property tax relief plan providing greater relief to low-and middle-income taxpayers and those on fixed incomes. The proposed plan would shift the focus from a home’s value to a homeowner’s ability to pay. Calling attention to unfunded losses projected under Governor Daniels’ property tax relief plan, including an unfair burden on low-and middle-income taxpayers, school funding shortfalls and the threat of a state general fund deficit, Senate Democrats maintain that his plan is based upon a regressive tax policy which will hurt too many Hoosiers.

Under the “EZ Homestead Credit” plan, a homeowner’s net tax payment would be based on the assessed value of the property, the local tax rate and the owner’s adjusted gross income. The amount of homestead credits applied to a property tax bill would be determined by the owner’s income, providing a greater percentage of relief for lower income homeowners.

The proposal was offered as an amendment to House Bill 1001 earlier this week. Although it was defeated, the plan is eligible for consideration during conference committee negotiations. The Senate later approved House Bill 1001 by a vote of 34-14, and the legislation now heads to a bipartisan conference committee.

Bills gain Senate approval

Legislation which would limit total compensation paid to sheriffs to what county prosecutors earn beginning in 2011. House Bill 1108 would require that any additional compensation earned by sheriffs be redirected to counties to help pay for department pensions and other public safety costs.

Under House Bill 1153, pull tabs, punchboards and tip board gaming will be allowed in bars and taverns. The proposal would also allow a qualified organization holding an annual raffle license to conduct raffles at any time during a period of one year.

House Bill 1185 would expand the state's program providing for indoor air quality inspections in schools to also include state agencies.

A concurrent enrollment partnership to coordinate dual credit programs among Indiana high schools and state educational institutions would be established under the passage of House Bill 1246. In addition, the legislation would create an interim study committee to undertake a review K-12 online learning programs.

House Bill 1290 provides that children who received foster care when they were less than 18 years old may choose to receive older youth foster care until the age of 21 if they are working or attending a vocational or educational program.

HEA 1249 provides that Indiana residents serving in the armed forces or the Indiana National Guard since September 10, 2001 who have received a Purple Heart decoration and satisfies other criteria will be exempt from tuition and fees at state universities.

Governor signs several bills into law

The governor has begun his review of bills already approved by both chambers. A few that have been signed into law include:

Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 210 provides that a member of the state Teachers' Retirement Fund may change the member's beneficiary designation if the member and the member's designated beneficiary are getting a divorce, regardless of what state they reside. (Current law only pertains to members who are involved in an Indiana action for dissolution of marriage.) Effective July 1, 2007 (retroactive).

SEA 219 provides aid to working mothers who return to work following maternity leave. The act requires businesses with 25 or more employees to provide paid breaks, a private place for the employee to express breast milk and some form of refrigeration to store the milk. Effective July 1, 2008.

House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1017 requires the Indiana Arts Commission to establish an arts and cultural district certification program to determine where these districts are located throughout the state and use that information for promotion and tourism opportunities. Effective upon passage.

HEA 1077 removes the limit on the amount a township, city, town, or county may appropriate to certain veterans' organizations to aid in defraying Memorial Day celebration expenses. Effective July 1, 2008.

Upcoming deadlines

Monday, March 3rd - Conference committees begin
March 14th - Lawmakers have until midnight to conclude business

To stay informed about legislation moving through the Indiana General Assembly, log on to www.in.gov/legislative/. From this site, you can research bills, review committee calendars and legislative floor calendars, view full bill texts and watch Senate and House sessions as well as some committee hearings which are broadcast live.

In addition, citizens can stay informed on bills scheduled for action in the House and Senate chambers through a free on line program available at www.BillWatch.in.gov/. This program allows you to track up to ten bills. Email notifications are sent once per day if action is taken on tracked bills and/or resolutions. If no action is taken, e-mail notifications will not be sent.

Feel free to contact me with your comments and concerns regarding pending legislation or other matters pertaining to state government. To reach me:

send correspondence to: Statehouse, 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
call toll-free 1-800-382-9467.
send emails to www.S25@iga.in.gov or visit my web site at www.in.gov/S25

Source: Senate Democrats Press Release

Senator Tim Lanane Votes to Allow Property Tax Payments by Bank Deduction

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:43:32 -0800

Legislation would allow counties to offer automatic bank deductions for property tax payments

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Indiana Senate approved today that would take advantage of electronic bill payments and allow homeowners the option of paying their property taxes through an automatic deduction from a checking account. Senate Bill 208, co-authored by State Senator Tim Lanane (D-Anderson), was approved by a vote of 47 to 1.

"This would allow homeowners to budget property tax payments through a consistent and automatic monthly deduction," Lanane said. "The constant flow of revenue could also help counties avoid the necessity of year-end borrowing, saving taxpayer money that would be paid out in interest for those loans."

Any delay in anticipated revenue, including property taxes, can force local government units to cover operating expenses through short-term loans, typically through the Indiana Bond Bank.

Senate Bill 208 would allow homeowners to participate in a voluntary program to pay property taxes by automatic deduction from a checking account, a system increasingly used by many individuals to pay other monthly bills. It would also allow the taxpayer to pay in regular installments by check.

The program would be voluntary for taxpayers and available based on county-by-county approval. County treasurers would manage program applications and would determine the monthly payments for each parcel.

The bill now goes to the Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration.

For more information on Sen. Lanane, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.IN.gov.

Source: Senate Democrats Press Release

Chesterfield Eliminates Sewer Overflows, Saves $2 Million Through SRF

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:47:08 -0800

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Town of Chesterfield closed a $7.1 million loan Friday, December 21, 2007, through the Wastewater State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program to construct a new sewer system. By using the SRF Program instead of a traditional loan, the town will save customers more than $2 million in interest over the 20-year life of the loan.

"The project should, in the long run, limit our flow into Anderson's sewage plant," said Town Council President Jack Taylor. "We were treating rainwater with the sewage water, and we are eager to get the overflows eliminated. We tried our best to limit the increase to our customers' bills."

The project will construct an entirely new sanitary sewer west of Water Street and disconnect residences from the current combined sewer system. The existing combined sewers will be converted to storm sewers, which will change the two Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) outfalls to storm water outfalls.

CSOs occur when aging systems that combine storm water and wastewater overflow to a local waterway during rain events.

"This project is important to the infrastructure and public health in Chesterfield," Senator Tim Lanane said. "By taking advantage the state's funding program, the town has done a tremendous job of saving taxpayer money."

"The SRF Programs provide Indiana communities with a unique opportunity to save money while addressing much-needed wastewater and drinking water improvements," said Jennifer Alvey, Public Finance Director of the State of Indiana . "Governor Daniels is very focused on the health of Hoosiers. We are pleased to provide an economical way for communities to offer a cleaner environment and excellent quality of life for current and future residents of our State."

"We are very fortunate to have programs like SRF so that communities like Chesterfield can embark on improvement projects that will benefit future economic and residential development without incurring heavy financial burdens," said Representative Scott Reske.

Governor Mitch Daniels created the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) in 2005 to more effectively manage State-related financial programs such as the Wastewater and Drinking Water SRF Programs under one entity. Since the inception of the IFA, the SRF Programs have loaned more than $492 million to local communities at below-market interest rates, saving utility customers more than $82 million in interest.

Communities can learn more information about obtaining a State Revolving Fund loan by contacting Bill Harkins at (317) 234-4862, wharkins@ifa.in.gov or by visiting http://www.srf.in.gov/.

Source: Indiana Finance Authority Press Release