Press Release

State Rep. Woody Burton recently welcomed the following student pages to the Statehouse:

• Austin Corn, from Franklin, attends Whiteland Community High School;
• Andrew Cruse, from Greenwood, attends Greenwood Christian Academy;
• Isabell Hunt, from Greenwood, attends Greenwood High School;
• Ally Hussung, from Greenwood, attends Greenwood High School;
• Michael Klingshirn, from Greenwood, attends Center Grove High School;
• Taylor Nett, from Greenwood, attends Whiteland Community High School; and
• Elaina Robards, from Indianapolis, attends Whiteland Community High School.

As a House page, these participants toured government offices, helped staff with daily duties and joined Burton on the House floor during the legislative session.

Burton said although openings for this year’s page program have been filled, students aged 13-18 should consider participating next session.

For more information, visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com/page-program or call 1-800-382-9841.

Applications are now open for students interested in participating in the Indiana House Page Program, according to State Rep. Woody Burton.

While at the Statehouse, House pages spend the day touring the House and Senate chambers, the Indiana Supreme Court and governor’s office. They also observe the legislative session directly from the floor of the House, listening to debates on important policy issues.

“I encourage any eligible student to apply,” Burton said. “As a page, students gain firsthand knowledge about the legislative process. Visiting the Statehouse and experiencing a day on the House floor while legislation is being debated is a unique opportunity.”

Pages are also assigned age-appropriate tasks like delivering important messages and sorting files. To be a page, applicants should be between the ages of 13 and 18, which is typically grades 6-12. Burton said student pages receive an excused absence from school.

Burton also said the 2017 session begins on Jan. 4, and page positions fill quickly. To apply, visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com/pageprogram or call 800-382-9841.

Those students who wish to page together should note that on their individual applications. House pages are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Large groups like Boys and Girls Scout Clubs may be scheduled to page on Wednesdays.

State Rep. Woody Burton was recently reappointed to serve as chair of the House Committee on Financial Institutions.

He was also named to the House Committee on Education, the House Committee on Judiciary and the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures.

“As a vital part of the legislative process, committee hearings allow legislators to receive direct testimony from experts and members of the public,” Burton said. “My experience working with various financial institutions through my realtor business gives me a unique perspective when hearing policies in my committee. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues as we consider legislation that will continue to move Indiana forward.”

Standing committee assignments are made biennially after each election. On Jan. 4, House lawmakers will convene at 1:30 p.m. in the House Chamber for the first day of the 2017 legislative session.

Standing committee hearings, which typically occur at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, can be viewed live online at iga.in.gov. This site also provides committee calendars and meeting agendas.

Click here to download the complete list of committee appointments.

State Auditor Suzanne Crouch presented a Sagamore of the Wabash to Theresa L. Matthews today for her work treating victims of alcoholism and drug addiction, according to State Rep. Woody Burton.

Matthews is the current CEO of the Tara Treatment Center, an alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility. She has been a part of the Tara Treatment Center since its founding in 1985.

“Theresa’s hard work and dedication has helped countless individuals in our community get their lives back,” Burton said. “There are few people who have devoted their life to helping those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. Theresa’s commitment to the residents of this center is tremendous, and she is truly deserving of this high honor.”

Last year, the Tara Treatment Center celebrated 30 years of providing care to over 30,000 individuals.

A Sagamore of the Wabash award is one of the highest honors the governor of Indiana can bestow upon a Hoosier. Recipients of this award have demonstrated distinguished service to the state.

This was covered in the Daily Journal. The link to the story is below:

Woman earns Sagamore for work with drug, alcohol treatment

Johnson County and eight local communities received more than $3.9 million in state matching grants this week to improve roads and bridges, according to State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland).

This year, Burton supported legislation establishing the state’s Community Crossings matching grant fund, which will provide about $160 million to Indiana cities, towns and counties on a 50/50 matching basis.

As part of the program, Johnson County received $968,676 for road and bridge improvements. In addition, eight local communities were awarded grants, including Bargersville ($506,000), Edinburgh ($174,850), Franklin ($1 million), Greenwood ($957,996), New Whiteland ($130,946), Prince’s Lake ($40,835), Trafalgar ($143,900) and Whiteland ($55,990).

“Investing in our infrastructure is vital to the economic success of our community and state,” Burton said. “As the Crossroads of America, we have a reputation to uphold. This grant program is a great first step in maintaining our roads and bridges. In the upcoming legislative session, our goal will be to find a data-driven, sustainable funding plan for Hoosier roadways for years to come.”

On Tuesday, INDOT announced 99 Southern Indiana cities, towns and counties were awarded $49 million through the fund. Projects that are eligible for funding through Community Crossings include road resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction, resurfacing, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in connection with road projects. Material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations were also eligible for funds.

A complete list of Southern Indiana cities, towns, and counties receiving matching funds through Community Crossings for the calendar year 2016 call for projects is online at www.in.gov/indot/3571.htm. More information about Community Crossings is online at www.in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.