E Newsletter

Dear Friend,

The single most important form for helping students receive money to go to college is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All students, regardless of income level, who plan to attend college must complete the FAFSA. In order to determine eligibility for financial aid, college students need to file this form every year.

The application period is now open, and the deadline to submit forms is March 10.

Completing the form can seem difficult. To help college-bound students and families better navigate the application process, multiple financial aid experts will be providing assistance across Indiana during College Goal Sunday on Nov. 13.

Visit www.CollegeGoalSunday.org for more information on how to get free help filing the form. Click here for the location nearest you.

[Share the message about free FAFSA help by clicking here.]

Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton

Indiana is struggling with addiction. For the past three years, we have led the nation in methamphetamine lab incidents. Heroin overdoses have nearly tripled since 2010.

These statistics are heartbreaking. Many Hoosier families have been touched by addiction, which is why the legislature has taken steps to curb illegal drug use.

We passed legislation that limits meth cooks’ access to pseudoephedrine – an ingredient in certain cold, flu and allergy medications and an essential precursor to make meth – while not hindering medication access for law-abiding Hoosiers.

Another new law requires Medicaid to cover inpatient detoxification for the treatment of opioid or alcohol dependence.

Locally, the Tara Treatment Center provides resources for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and serves as a residential treatment facility. This center has been a part of our community for over 30 years and has helped over 30,000 individuals.

Recently, Theresa Matthews, the CEO of Tara Treatment Center, was honored with a Sagamore of the Wabash for her work treating victims of alcoholism and drug addiction.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, I encourage you to contact the Tara Treatment Center at 1-800-397-9978.

Sincerely,

 
State Rep. Woody Burton

Dear Friend,
Indiana is getting a new license plate, and you can help pick the new design.

The BMV unveiled three designs to choose from for the state’s next standard plate, which will start to appear on vehicles next year. To vote for your favorite design, click here.

Let your friends know you voted by clicking here to tweet.

The new design will replace the bicentennial plate. All specialty plates and the “In God We Trust” plate will remain available. In 2006, I authored legislation to ensure that the “In God We Trust” plate was available to all Hoosiers at the same cost as other standard plates.

State lawmakers expanded the length of time a license plate is valid in order to curb costs, so the new design chosen by popular vote will be used on vehicles for seven years, as opposed to five.

The deadline to cast your vote is midnight on Monday, Sept. 5, so vote today!
Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton

Dear Friend,

As a member of the House Committee on Education, I am proud to support a Career Pathways and Mentorship Program that schools can begin using to facilitate career development for their teaching faculty. Under House Bill 1005, schools would begin tailoring new teacher mentorship programs best suited for their needs. This proposal would also lay the foundation to recognize and reward educators who take on extra roles and
leadership positions.

To ensure Indiana is effectively measuring whether students are mastering the lessons and skills taught in classrooms, we are also working on a comprehensive review of the ISTEP+ testing program. If passed into law, House Bill 1395 would establish a panel of education experts and stakeholders to study testing alternatives and make recommendations for a replacement test as we phase out ISTEP+ before July 1, 2017. Their findings would be submitted to the State Board of Education for review.

After being amended and approved by the Senate, these proposals will now return to the House to be reexamined.

If you have questions or input as we continue moving Indiana forward, please contact me at (317) 232­-9648 orh58@iga.in.gov.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton

This week, the House Committee on Education met to discuss legislation that ensures teacher bonuses and evaluations are not negatively impacted by spring 2015 ISTEP scores. I am proud to say that House Bill (HB) 1003 passed out of committee unanimously with bipartisan support on Wednesday, January 6, 2015.

As a member of this committee, I believe this legislation benefits not only our local schools but the entire state. This bill now goes before the entire House to be considered. It is my hope that HB 1003 will move through the legislative process quickly, so that teachers can be reassured that they will be fairly evaluated during this transition to higher standards.

As session continues, I encourage you to voice your input or concerns on any legislation that may come before the House this session. I look forward to hearing from you, please click here to contact me.
Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton