Press Release

State Rep. Woody Burton  recently attended the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) 2013 States & Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.

“ALEC provides a forum in which policy ideas are exchanged from a variety of perspectives,” said Rep. Burton. “I appreciated the variety of topics that were discussed at ALEC – topics that ranged from education to healthcare to states’ rights.”

ALEC works at the state level to advance the fundamental principles of free-market enterprise, limited government and federalism. This is done through a nonpartisan, public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public.

“One of the great things about our country is that our federal government has certain duties that it carries out, but those responsibilities not designated to the federal government are left up to the states,” said Rep. Burton. “I believe the government that is closest to the people is most responsive.”

In addition to hearing a keynote address by Gov. Pence, there was also discussion about Article V of the U.S. Constitution calling for a Constitutional Convention. Last session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 224 that describes the duties of convention delegates and restricts their ability to make decisions outside the instruction of the General Assembly.

“What I like about this idea is that if we call a constitutional convention, this law strictly limits the issues that can be discussed,” said Rep. Burton. “I support this idea in an effort to help clarify the relationship between the states and the federal government.”

“I plan to use the information I gathered at ALEC to better serve my constituents and continue to develop legislation that is in their best interest,” said Rep. Burton.

Below is a photo of Rep. Burton with Gov. Pence and fellow Indiana legislators at ALEC.

State Rep. Woody Burton  joined House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis), legislators, staff and other state office holders in donating sporting equipment and other items to the Special Olympics of Indiana today at the Statehouse.

“Special Olympics Indiana is honored to be chosen by Speaker Bosma for Organization Day. Research has found that individuals with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics become more involved in their communities. Our over 11,000 athletes throughout Indiana live, work and vote in almost every county throughout the state,” said Special Olympics Indiana CEO/President Michael Furnish.

The Special Olympics of Indiana is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These athletes represent 74 county and local programs each run by volunteer management teams who recruit participants, conduct sports training, raise money, build awareness and compete at local and state events.

“I am proud to support the Special Olympics of Indiana,” said Rep. Burton. “The lessons these athletes learn are relevant to us all. I appreciate the values of teamwork and unity that Special Olympics Indiana promotes. These are values I strive to implement in my role as a legislator.”

Legislators and staff brought in sporting equipment, food, drinks, office supplies, and other items for the Special Olympics of Indiana. Five athletes were present to accept the donations and thank those who participated in the collection efforts.

For more information on the Special Olympics of Indiana, visit www.soindiana.org.

Above is a photo of Rep. Burton with athletes from Special Olympics Indiana.

State Representative Woody Burton  has been awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). This award is presented annually to American citizens who exemplify the values of the American way of life. “I am humbled to be recognized with such an honor,” said Rep. Burton.

According to the NECO website, nominations for the award satisfy one or more of the following criteria: (1) lives a life dedicated to helping others, (2) preserves and celebrates the history, traditions and values of their ancestry group, (3) strives for tolerance and acceptance between ethnic and, racial and religious groups in the U.S. and abroad and (4) shares their personal and/or professional gifts for the benefit of humanity.

“This award is a very special achievement for me,” said Rep. Burton. “To me, this award is about the American Dream and the unique opportunities for success that we have here in America. My family started out at the bottom, but I worked my way up from mechanic, to teacher, to real estate sales, to the Indiana House of Representatives. My life is a testament to the fact that your success is determined by your hard work, not by your birth.”

To date, more than 1,800 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Past medalists include six U.S. Presidents and several Nobel Prize Winners.

State Representative Woody Burton  has been appointed to serve on the Commission on Education, Interim Study Committee on Driver Education, Military Base Planning Council and Pension Management Oversight Commission.

“I am humbled to be appointed to these summer study committees,” said Rep. Burton. “These committees will take a closer look at critical issues facing Hoosiers across the state.”

Every year after the legislative session is completed, the Legislative Council meets to assign topics for study during the interim as well as establish any new interim committee that is needed to examine a particular issue. Most interim committees begin meeting in July with their work wrapping up toward the end of October.

Interim committees are an integral part of the legislative process. Even though session is adjourned for 2013, representatives continue their legislative duties by conducting in-depth studies of various topics assigned to their committees. Interim committees with specific expertise receive public testimony and work out the details of proposed legislation before it is introduced in the 2014 session.

“The interim committees work to help us lay the foundation for the upcoming session,” said Rep. Burton. “I look forward to the thoughtful discussion that will take place as we seek to address any necessary legislative solutions.”

To see a complete list of the assigned committees, member appointments and what the committees are charged with studying, please visit: www.in.gov/house_republicans.

The Indiana Manufacturers Association (IMA) released its scorecard for the 2013 legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly. The scorecard measures how often individual members of the Indiana House and Senate vote in support of positions advocated by the IMA on select bills.

State Representative Woody Burton  is one of 26 House members who received a perfect 100 percent score.

“I was pleased to see that the IMA gave me a perfect score for my support of business-friendly and pro-jobs legislation,” said Rep. Burton. “By focusing on cultivating a climate for job creation we are propelling our state forward.”

Twenty-four House votes were identified this session by the IMA as “priority” legislation. The priority votes of the IMA included those in support of the state budget, establishing the Indiana Career Council to better align the various participants in the state’s career training and job skills development system, and limiting the financial liability of worker’s compensation payments to hospitals.

According to the IMA president and CEO, Patrick J. Kiely; Indiana has the highest share of manufacturing as a percentage of private industry Gross State Product in the U.S. (29.7 percent) and the highest percentage of the workforce employed in manufacturing (16.4 percent).

“Indiana has added 13,000 manufacturing jobs over the past year, which is second in the nation, and has more than quadrupled the national rate of growth,” said Rep. Burton. “I will continue to support pro-jobs legislation in an effort to keep our Hoosier economy growing.”