Press Release

State Rep. Woody Burton is encouraging local students to apply for the Indiana House Page Program. The program offers students 13 to 18 years old the chance to visit the Statehouse and see a full day of legislative activity.

“The House Page Program is a wonderful opportunity for young Hoosiers to get a glimpse of how our state legislature works,” said Rep. Burton. “I enjoy showing students the ins and outs of the General Assembly and seeing them involved in state government.”

Along with visiting the capitol building and touring such locations as the governor’s office, the chambers of the Indiana House and Senate and the Indiana Supreme Court, pages get the chance to witness floor sessions and committee meetings and help staff members.

Students who serve as pages are excused from school for the day. Pages are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Statehouse.

Interested students are encouraged to schedule their visit quickly, as spots fill up fast. Pages are asked to include two different dates when they can come to the Statehouse between the first week in January through April. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the best days to serve. There are no pages on Fridays. To sign up, visit www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/off_cms/page or call 1-800-382-9841.

State Rep. Woody Burton joined fourth graders and their teachers from across the state for the Statehood Day Celebration at the Statehouse today. The celebration was to commemorate Indiana’s 196^th birthday as the 19^th state to join the Union on December 11, 1816.

In honor of the festivities, the Indiana Statehouse Tour Office and Indiana Center for the Book sponsored the Statehood Day Essay Contest. The contest takes place annually in the fall and is open to all Indiana fourth graders. The students were asked to reflect on what it means to live in Indiana and why they are happy to be a Hoosier. The essays were judged by a panel of Indiana State Library staff and volunteer educators. The winner and finalists, along with their class, were invited to attend today’s ceremony.

Nearly 1,000 essay entries from all over the state were received. The winner was Jamie Poynter from Greenwood Bible Baptist School. Jamie received a certificate from the Governor, a flag flown over the Capitol and a $300 scholarship from the Treasurer. In addition, she was recognized by Rep. Burton as an honorary legislator for the day.

“I would like to congratulate Jamie on this prestigious honor,” said Rep. Burton. “She offered a unique recollection about how Indiana remains the same even during seasonal changes. The “can do” attitude of Hoosiers that she mentions in her essay is the reason why we are the state that we are today. It was heartwarming to read Jamie’s essay, and I know that there are many more accolades to be coming her way throughout her academic career and beyond.”

In her essay, Jamie depicted the changing of seasons in Indiana. She enjoys watching downtown Indianapolis “light up with the magic of Christmas” this time of year. In the summer, Jamie and her family enjoy attending the State Fair and the Freedom Parade. She compared the changing of seasons to the experiences each Hoosier family goes through.

“Some will face illness, poverty and setbacks,” she said. “Yet although seasons in life of people change, my state bands together as families and practice the great ‘can do’ attitude that makes me proud to be called a Hoosier. They lend a hand to those in need and care for the hurting in times of losses. Although the seasons change, Indiana remains the same.”

House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis) announced committee assignments and leadership appointments for the Indiana House Republican Caucus. Committee chairmen and caucus leaders are selected biennially by the majority party after each election year.

State Rep. Woody Burton has been appointed Chairman of the Financial Institutions Committee. He will also serve on the Education, Elections and Apportionment, Insurance, and Rules and Legislative Procedures Committees.

“I am confident in the abilities of each of these leaders, and I know that they are each eager to begin their committee work and their leadership roles,” said Speaker Bosma.

Standing committees are an integral part of the legislative process.  Committees with specific expertise receive public testimony and work out the details of proposed legislation before it is heard on the House floor.

Speaker Bosma stated on Organization Day that, “we are here, together, in a time of change, a time of transition, a time of unique challenges, a time of unique opportunities. We will no doubt disagree on the details, but it is my hope – my challenge to you – that we can do so with a renewed spirit of cooperation and work together.”

“I am honored to be appointed to these committees,” said Rep. Burton. “It is essential that we pass a balanced budget this year to secure a strong financial future for coming generations. By living within our means, we can cultivate an economy that will thrive for years to come.”

Indiana Legislators were sworn in today, Organization Day, which marks the first meeting for the 118th General Assembly. All 100 members of the House, including 19 new Republicans, were sworn in by Chief Justice Brent Dickson.

“Just like a responsible family, we will sit together at our desks on the House floor and in the committee rooms of this building – and work through the monumental issues facing our state,” said newly reelected Speaker of the House, Brian C. Bosma (R-Indianapolis).

State Representative Woody Burton was reelected to represent House District 58, which includes the northeast portion of Johnson County.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Johnson County by representing them in the state legislature,” said Rep. Burton. “Many issues will come before the House floor this session as we craft our state’s next two-year budget. Indiana is in great financial shape as we look to enact a balanced budget that benefits all Hoosiers.”

In October, the House Republican Caucus released their legislative agenda, making it clear that their focus will be on financial integrity, jobs and education. That focus was echoed today as the 69 House Republicans prepared for the upcoming session with a resolve to accomplish those priorities and continue to propel Indiana to be a state where Hoosiers have the ability to own their American Dream.

“Focusing on jobs and education is what will make a stronger Indiana for generations to come,” said Rep. Burton. “Indiana’s business environment continues to be recognized as the best in the Midwest. Through high-quality education and job creation incentives, we will continue on this path of success.”

The Pension Management Oversight Commission (PMOC), led by State Rep. Woody Burton, held its third and final meeting earlier this week to finalize its recommendations for the upcoming legislative session. The committee is charged with studying topics related to pensions, annuities and retirement benefits for public employees, teachers and public safety officers.

The Commission studied various methods by which post-retirement adjustments to benefits of members of the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (PERF) and the Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund (TRF) might be made. They considered preliminary drafts regarding cost of living adjustments (COLA), 13^th checks and minimum monthly benefits. The Commission found all three of the methods positive and viable. It also recommended that the decision, as to how to adjust PERF and TRF retiree benefits, be left to the discretion of the General Assembly.

The Commission reviewed adjustments to the Public Employee Pension Benefit as well. They established a formula for annual post-retirement benefit adjustments for members, survivors and beneficiaries of PERF and TRF.

“The adjustments recommended by the committee will factor in both years of experience and a percentage increase for PERF and TRF,” said Rep. Burton. “We are fortunate to be one of the few states that has a retirement plan that is financially sound.”

PMOC also reviewed the process of pension plan reporting and recommended that various local retirement plans report annually to the State Board of Accounts. They suggested requiring the State Examiner to submit an annual report to the General Assembly that summarizes the information received by the State Board of Accounts concerning various local retirement plans.

“I fully support the recommendations made by the committee,” said Rep. Burton. “The proposed adjustments to PERF and TRF are a win-win for the teachers, public employees and the state of Indiana. I look forward to discussing these issues further before the General Assembly this session.”