I want to start out this week in a slightly different tone than usual. I plan to brief you on all the legislation – and it was a lot – that passed through the House this week, but, first, I want to talk about my brother, Congressman Dan Burton.
He began his career as an elected official in the Indiana House of Representatives in 1967, where I am today. He went on to serve in the Indiana State Senate before being elected into the United States House of Representatives in 1983. On Tuesday, he announced on the Indiana House Floor – where his political career began – that he will not seek re-election.
I want to commend my brother on more than 40 years of public service to the State of Indiana and its Hoosiers. Throughout his time as an elected official, he never lost sight of the people he served. He leads by example and has always been a role model to me.
My brother is a consistent reminder of why I am working in a position of public service, to serve the people who elected me. For that reason, we have been busy as ever, and I would like to share with you some of what we accomplished.
As I mentioned last week, our first bill to go through the entire legislative process and be signed into law enforces stricter punishment on those involved in human trafficking. Senate Enrolled Act 4 makes it a Class A felony to force a minor into sexual conduct – an important law to have in place for this weekend’s Super Bowl.
The second bill to reach the governor’s desk was Right to Work. House Enrolled Act 1001 does not require employees to financially support a union as a condition or continuation of employment.
I am glad that – despite a slow start to session – we were able to move so many important pieces of legislation through the House and Senate.
In addition to those bills signed into law, the House passed 72 pieces of legislation onto the Senate for further discussion this past week.
My own pieces of legislation with Johnson County roots also passed through the House this week. HB 1092 would allow for Johnson County to add a fourth Superior Court judge – an issue that has been of concern for years now. My colleagues agreed with me that a fourth judge is needed to enhance the efficiency of the court system.
Additionally, HB 1238 would allow foreclosure and abandonment action to occur simultaneously in an effort to reduce some of the hurdles local communities typically battle during this process. This is an effort to reduce crime and deterioration that may occur with abandoned and vacant homes persisting in local communities.
Finally, I authored legislation that would provide a 13th check to retired teachers, state police officers, conservation officers and other public employees to help them cope with cost of living inflation and unforeseen financial stress. HB 1123 will now join my other legislation being heard in the Senate.
Just as we have forwarded legislation to them, the Senate has sent over a full load of bills that we will now review in committee and on the House Floor starting next week. We have no intention of slowing down the momentum we gained last week. Stay tuned.
