Press Release

Rep. Woody Burton and fellow members of the Pension Management Oversight Commission summer study committee met last week to discuss ways of preserving the retirement plans for teachers, police officers, and firefighters.

In attendance were numerous teachers, firefighters and police officers from various areas of the state, one in particular was Officer Jason Fishburn.

Officer Fishburn was shot in July 2008 as he tried to serve a warrant to Brian Reese of Indianapolis, who shot the officer in the head and torso. Although critically wounded, Officer Fishburn fortunately survived the shooting, but speaks and walks with difficulty. Jason Fishburn attended the meeting along with his father, David Fishburn who is also an officer.

“Members of the Indiana General Assembly continue to have a great working relationship with all parties involved in regards to pensions of public employees,” said Rep. Burton.

“I believe this is due to the fact we all want to ensure the people that risk their lives every day, whether it be by running into a burning building or making our community better, are protected in the long run with their well-deserved pensions.”

Members of the Pension Management Oversight Commission summer study committee primarily discussed Public Employee Retirement Funds (PERF) and Teacher Retirement Funds (TRF) during their four hour committee meeting.

Members of the State Budget Agency and representatives of several state pension organizations were also present to discuss with members the issues and concerns with current pension plans and relevant legislation that had recently passed.

“In these tough economic times, when many states are unable to fund their pension accounts, I’m proud of Indiana’s pension management oversight team in assuring that we have a sound fiscal retirement program that is funding itself.”

The committee is set to reconvene within the next few weeks.

Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) attended the Hoosier Homestead Award ceremony yesterday afternoon at the Indiana State Fairgrounds as Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman presented more than 73 families with the award, recognizing some of Indiana’s oldest family farms.

The Hoosier Homestead Award program recognizes families that have owned the same family farm for 100 years or more. This award program was established to honor Indiana’s rich agricultural heritage.

Two of the families awarded in yesterday’s ceremony were from Johnson County. The George Wesley Beck Family Farm, from Bargersville, was created in 1882, and the Hurricane Creek Farm, from Franklin, was created in 1884.

“Both of these farms were recognized for their lasting impact on Johnson County,” said Rep. Burton. “With today’s focus on the continuously evolving world of technology, it shouldn’t be forgotten what our Hoosier farmers contribute to the state’s economy.

“The State of Indiana has some of the best family farms in the Midwest and in the country, so it was an honor to recognize some of those farms that are from our community.”

The Hoosier Homestead program was instituted in 1976 and recognizes the contributions these family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana.

Indiana family farms may qualify for one of three awards:

• Centennial Award – 100 years of ownership
• Sesquicentennial Award – 150 years of ownership
• Bicentennial Award – 200 years of ownership

Almost 4,500 farms have received the honor in the past 30 years.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce released their annual Legislative Vote Analysis earlier this week, ranking Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) as a pro-job and pro-economy legislator.

Rep. Burton was scored with a 94 percent pro-job and 90 percent pro-economy this past session, showing proof of the large number of job-friendly bills that were introduced and passed by the House Republicans.

“Although many issues come to light during session, the economy and creating jobs are what is most important,” said Rep. Burton. “I worked diligently with my Republican colleagues this session to ensure Indiana stays on the right track and continues to lead the Midwest through this recession—jobs and a thriving economy are the keys to making that happen.”

The Chamber’s Vote Analysis is produced after every legislative session. The legislator’s scores are determined by bills and select amendments’ that impact on the state’s economy.

Legislation included in the analysis that the Indiana Chamber highlights are: House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1004 to increases access to start-up capital for Indiana businesses in addition to lowering the corporate income tax rate; HEA 1006 to promote economic development locally and regionally; and HEA 1007 to allow enhanced abatement schedules and hiring incentives to encourage local job growth.

“This session was unprecedented, but I am pleased that we were able to move forward and were able to pass legislation that will benefit all Hoosiers.”

All scores and a full report can be viewed on the Indiana Chamber’s web site at: www.indianachamber.com/lva

The Indiana Department of Education has released the results for the spring 2011 ISTEP+ tests in third through eighth grades. Westwood Elementary School from Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) district was recognized for its exceptional high score of 91.8 percent.

The spring 2011 ISTEP+ test is based on Indiana’s Academic Standards and includes the following grade levels and content areas:

• English/language arts in grades 3-8;
• Mathematics in grades 3-8;
• Science in grades 4 and 6; and
• Social studies in grades 5 and 7.

“The students at Westwood Elementary School should be very proud of themselves,” said Rep. Burton. “Their scores show their profound effort, although they probably weren’t thrilled to take the tests.

“The teachers, principals and parents should also be proud because through their hard work and determination, their students were able to achieve a goal only a few schools were able to achieve—a score above 90 percent.”

According to the Indiana Department of Education, 70.2 percent of students passed both the English/language arts and mathematics portions of the exam.

In individual subjects, the assessment resulted in statewide pass rates of 78 percent in English/language arts, 79 percent in mathematics, 69 percent in science, and 67 percent in social studies.

In total, 963 Indiana schools showed improvement on their test scores.

The Applied Skills Assessment portion, consisting of an essay and open-ended questions, of the ISTEP+ was administered between February 28, 2011 and March 9, 2011. The Multiple-Choice Assessment was administered between April 25, 2011 and May 4, 2011.

Rep. Woody Burton (R-Greenwood) was assigned today to several interim study committees in order to better address issues facing Hoosiers statewide. The committees include the Pension Management Oversight Commission, Military Base Planning Council and the Interim Study Committee on Redistricting.

“Session may be out, but our work serving the people doesn’t stop on sine die,” said Rep. Burton. “Interim study committees are vital to the legislative process because they help us further study issues that were addressed since session has concluded, in order to be more prepared for the 2012 legislative session.”

The following information includes a brief description of each interim study committee Rep. Burton will be working with over the next few months.

Pension Management Oversight Commission:

• Study the investment and management practices of the boards of public retirement funds;
• Determine what constitutes “adequate wage replacement levels” at retirement for public employees;
• Study the impact of federal law and proposals concerning pensions, annuities and retirement benefits;
• Study the public safety officers retirement funds and the funding for other public retirement plans; and
• Study and make recommendations concerning the structure of the Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund.

Military Base Planning Council:

• Identify the public infrastructure and other community support necessary to develop and expand military bases in Indiana;
• Identify the existing and potential impacts of encroachment on military bases in Indiana; and
• Identify the opportunities for collaboration among the state to enhance the economic potential of military bases.

Interim Study Committee on Redistricting:

• Make recommendations on ways to improve the redistricting process;
• Discuss proposals to amend the Constitution of the State of Indiana to establish an independent commission to draw legislative and congressional district boundaries, beginning with the 2021 redistricting;
• Discuss the successes and failures of redistricting commission in other states;
• Analyze the results of the 2010 election in Indiana and other states to make recommendations to the General Assembly; and
• Review certain standards for drawing legislative and congressional districts.