email update

State Rep. Woody Burton

Throughout the legislative session, we worked to better serve and honor Hoosier veterans. House Republicans supported policies providing service members and their families the care and protections they have rightfully earned.

There is now a process to allow for the proper burial of deceased veterans who do not have living family members.

The Military Family Relief Fund, which provides emergency grants to military families in need, expands to include all Hoosier veterans.

More service members will be able to apply to become police officers and firefighters after they finish their careers in the military now that the maximum hiring age for these positions has been raised from 36 years old to 40 and a half years old.

Now there are also established penalties for stolen valor, making it a crime to profit financially by lying about military service.

Click here to learn about the various new laws to help Hoosier veterans. Please contact me at h58@iga.in.gov or 317­-232­-9648with input and ideas on how to better serve our heroes.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton

Dear Friend,

The single most important form for helping students receive money to go to college is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide.

March 10 is the deadline to file the form in order to be eligible for financial aid.

Completing the form, which is the gateway to financial aid, can seem difficult. To help college-bound students and families better navigate the application process, multiple financial aid experts will be providing assistance at 42 sites across Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 21, during College Goal Sunday. Visit www.CollegeGoalSunday.org for more information on how to get free help filing the form.

In conjunction with College Goal Sunday, the state is working to help the more than 750,000 Hoosiers who have completed some higher education but have yet to attain a degree. You Can. Go Back. connects Hoosiers with Indiana colleges that are committed to eliminating barriers for returning adults. Many colleges offer special programs and incentives like flexible class schedules, online courses, college credit for work and military experience, debt-forgiveness and scholarships to help students.

Visitwww.learnmoreindiana.org/adults to learn more about the program dedicated to helping Hoosiers earn a degree suited for their lifestyles and needs.

I understand the challenges families face when it comes to paying for college. Establishing a College Choice 529 Direct Savings Plan is a good place to start. This savings program offers tax benefits, flexible investment choices and control over the assets while allowing others to contribute to accounts. To find out more about opening an educational savings account, click here.

If you have questions or input as we continue moving Indiana forward, please contact me at (317) 232­-9648 or h58@iga.in.gov.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton

The 2016 legislative session reached the halfway point this week, with House Republicans moving forward on passing agenda items focusing on road funding, supporting public educators and curbing illegal drugs:

House Bill 1001 would establish a comprehensive plan to fund Indiana’s short- and long-term infrastructure needs at the state and local level.

House Bill 1002 would create the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship to attract high school students to the teaching field.

House Bill 1395 would eliminate ISTEP and establish a commission to create a framework for implementing a more streamlined test in 2017.

House Bill 1004 would enhance teacher licensing and career opportunities by allowing educators holding a valid out-of-state teaching license to teach in Indiana if they meet certain requirements.

House Bill 1005 would allow schools to devise and implement their own Career Pathways and Mentorship Program in order to support educators just entering the field as well as recognize and reward experienced teachers’ work beyond the classroom.

House Bill 1235 would provide that minimum sentences for the worst drug dealers cannot be suspended.

House Bill 1390 would allow consumers to purchase medications containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) without a prescription if they have a prior relationship with a pharmacy or purchase a smaller dose. A prescription would only be required in the small number of cases where a person does not have a pre-existing relationship with a pharmacy and refuses the smaller dosage or tamper-resistant options.

House Bill 1157 would prevent drug felons from obtaining PSE and includes penalties for illegal possession of the drug.

House Bill 1211 would create a new criminal charge and establish a reporting requirement for meth fires, and House Bill 1102 would enhance substance abuse and addiction treatment.

If you have questions or input as we continue moving Indiana forward, please contact me at (317) 232-9648 or h58@iga.in.gov.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton

A pair of bills responding to the 2015 ISTEP problems were signed into law this week.

House Enrolled Act 1003 ensures last year’s ISTEP scores do not unfairly penalize Hoosier teachers and school, since the state transitioned to a new, more rigorous test. The law prevents 2014-2015 ISTEP scores from being used in annual teacher performance evaluations unless those scores improve the teacher’s performance rating.

Senate Enrolled Act 200 provides that a school’s A-F performance rating for the 2014-2015 school year cannot be lower than the assigned performance grade for the 2013-2014 school year.

These efforts reflect a shared commitment to support our educators and schools. This session, we will also work on creating a framework for more streamlined testing and move to an accurate, timely and effective test. We are also focused on attracting top-performing high school students to teaching, encouraging college students to enter the profession and providing educators with more flexibility. Our children are our most precious resource and as a member of the education committee, I am dedicated to making sure they have the best possible education.

This week, I met with members of our community. We had a productive discussion about issues that may be considered by the House this session. I will be hosting two more meetings on Saturday. To see the town hall schedule for Saturday, Jan. 23, click here. I look forward to seeing all of you and gaining your perspective on important issues.

If you have any questions or input as we continue moving forward, please contact me at 317­-232­-9648 or h58@iga.in.gov.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Woody Burton