Press Release

Law will help retired public employees and teachers

State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland)was present today as the governor signed into law legislation to provide retired public employees and retired teachers get their 13^th check in order to help with their current cost of living adjustments.

Language included in House Enrolled Act 1048 was something Rep. Burton worked on throughout the duration of the 2011 legislation session.

“The law will have a profound impact on the retired public employees and teachers who are currently struggling to make ends meet,” said Rep. Burton today. “They deserve to have the opportunity for further assistance if they are in need of it and today we made that happen, and more importantly, at no expense to the Hoosier taxpayer.”

The following includes details of House Enrolled Act 1048:

■ Thirteenth Check: Provides a thirteenth check to participants for the State Excise Police, Gaming Agent, Gaming Control Officer, and Conservation Officers’ Retirement Fund.

■ Pre-1990 Line-of-Duty Disability Determinations: Allows a member of the 1977 Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension and Disability Fund (or survivor of a member) who applied for disability prior to 1990 and is receiving a disability benefit to apply to a local board for a recommendation as to whether the member’s disability occurred in the line of duty.

■ Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) and the Partial Lump Sum Distribution: Provides that an active member of the 1977 Fund who has entered the DROP before July 1, 2011, may elect to exit the DROP and receive a partial lump sum distribution.

State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) walked away this session with a 100 percent voting attendance record, something only a few legislators attained.  Rep. Burton was present and voted for each one of the 647 votes recorded this past legislative session.

“As a state representative, you do more than just cast a vote,” said Rep. Burton, “you are meeting or taking phone calls from constituents, meeting with your staff, reading over legislation and preparing for floor debates all while session is occurring on the House floor.   So by not missing a vote, I consider it be a big accomplishment.

“I don’t take serving my district lightly. I understand how every vote I cast can and will affect at least one person in our community, so it’s vital that I be present for every vote.”

Committee hearings, constituent and legislative meetings are sometimes scheduled during the time the House chamber is scheduled to be in session, making it difficult for members to be present. In addition, members will often step off the House floor to have the opportunity to meet with constituents or community leaders to further discuss important issues facing their local area.

When voting on the House floor, members will vote to adopt committee reports, amendments and other various motions. Legislation addressed this session included economic development, education reform, illegal immigration and the state budget.

The 2011 legislative session one of historic challenges and accomplishments. Despite the many road bumps, House Republicans have delivered on the promises they made in 2010.

State Representative Woody Burton (R-Greenwood) along with other House Republican members presented the ‘Strengthen Indiana Plan’ in September of 2010. Unlike many political pledges, everything that was promised in the plan was successfully delivered through legislative action this year.

“It has been an unconventional legislative session, but I am pleased to say that we have delivered on what we promised we would do this session,” Rep. Burton said. “With the help of strong, conservative leadership, we passed a fiscally sound budget that pushes Indiana to spend within its means, without raising taxes on Hoosier taxpayers.”

“We provided additional educational opportunities to Hoosier students and their families, and created more ways for local communities to foster economic development to bring jobs. It has been a historic session and I believe,in more than one way, our work at the Statehouse has truly strengthened Indiana.”

Protecting Hoosier Taxpayers

House Republicans have repeatedly pledged to enact a responsible state budget, which meets the state’s critical needs without tax increases. The fiscally sound budget will bring consistency for both Hoosier taxpayers and businesses.

In addition, House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis), Senator David Long (R-Fort Wayne), and Governor Daniels announced this legislative session that an additional $150 million will be directed to K-12 education. This announcement came after an updated revenue forecast showed Indiana receiving more than what was projected under prior forecasts.

The increased revenues, in addition to prudent reserve balances, prove that the disciplined financial efforts by House Republicans along with Governor Daniels are paying off for the State of Indiana.

Promoting Hoosier Job Creation

The “Strengthen Indiana Plan” focused on key elements that promote job creation and incentivize employers to grow and relocate to Indiana. Start-up capital for budding businesses has now become more accessible by enhancing the Venture Capital Investment tax credit.

House Republicans have also improved the Industrial Recovery Tax Credit  that creates incentives to help revitalize communities with empty factories and warehouses.

In addition to economic incentives, House Republicans also made it easier for new businesses to be created.  The new legislation will cut  the unnecessary red tape and expedite the business start up process.

Expanding Education Opportunities

House Republicans pledged to give families more choices for their students’ education, regardless of income or zip code.  They have fulfilled their promise by expanding educational opportunities for Hoosier families, especially those of limited means.

Charter Schools were first authorized in Indiana in 2001. During the 2011 session, House Republicans passed legislation to allow additional charter schools without further obstacles and provide innovative options to public school students.

In addition, legislation was passed to provide high school students who graduate early with a scholarship,as long as they attend an accredited university to further their education, to pay for tuition fees. House Republicans also passed legislation to reward high-performing teachers with merit pay.

In regards to the school funding formula, House Republicans demonstrated their commitment to education by focusing every additional dollar on the classroom.  The school funding formula will now have dollars following the child,not the institution.

“This session has been challenging, perhaps more so than any session in memory. Change is never easy,this is no less true for legislative bodies. We have made landmark legislative decisions that will positively affect issues our state has faced so our children and their children will have a better future here in Indiana. I can proudly say that House Republicans have fulfilled their promises and enacted legislation that will significantly strengthen Indiana,” said Speaker Bosma.

State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) will be holding three town hall meetings in May to discuss the  issues important to the 2011 legislative session and surrounding communities. Topics will include the state budget, redistricting, education reform and other legislative issues. Questions and comments regarding these issues are welcome.

The meetings will serve as a town hall for the Franklin, Greenwood, New Whiteland and Whiteland areas. All interested and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend.

Who: Rep. Burton and Sen. Greg Walker (R-Columbus)

Where: New Whiteland Town Hall Building, 401 Mooreland Drive in New Whiteland

When: Tuesday, May 10, from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Who: Rep. Burton and Sen. Walker

Where: Greenwood City Hall, 2 North Madison Avenue in Greenwood

When: Saturday, May 14, from 9– 11 a.m.

Who: Reps. Burton and Ralph Foley (R-Martinsville), and Sen. Walker

Where: Franklin City Hall, 70 East Monroe Street in Franklin

When: Saturday, May 14, from 12 – 2 p.m.

If you have any questions concerning these events or any legislative issues, please contact Rep. Burton’s office by phone at 1-800-382-9841 or by e-mail at h58@in.gov.

Rep. Burton sponsors bill to protect employee’s rights

State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation to help protect employees’ rights to carry a firearm to and from their place of employment was signed into law over the weekend.

Last session, the General Assembly passed legislation to enable employees to carry a firearm in order to protect themselves while traveling to and from work. As a condition of that law, the firearm had to be legally obtained, the employee had to have a permit and the firearm had to be locked in the employee’s vehicle.

The legislation did exempt some facilities, including certain schools and government buildings.

However, since its passage, lawmakers have been contacted by constituents, detailing complaints that public and private companies were requiring employees to disclose information about whether the employee owns, possesses, uses or transports a firearm to and from their place of business.

In addition, under a condition of employment, the employee must forgo his or her lawful ownership, possession, storage, transportation or use of the firearm.

As a result, Senate Bill 411 was filed to enable an employee the right to take civil action against a public or private employer.

“We passed legislation last year to help protect Hoosiers’ right to bear arms when traveling to and from their work,” said Rep. Burton, a sponsor of the legislation. “Now, we are hearing stories about employers trying to revoke that right, something I disagree with, so this bill fixed that.

“If the firearm is legally obtained by someone who has a legal permit, they should be able to carry that firearm in order to protect themselves. They shouldn’t have to leave it at home because their employment doesn’t agree with our gun laws, nor should they have to agree to leave it at home as an agreement upon employment.”

The bill will take effect July 1, 2011.