Press Release

State Rep. Woody Burton earned a perfect score on the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Vote Analysis for his support of pro-economy, pro-jobs legislation.

Burton’s score is based on his performance during the 2016 session of the Indiana General Assembly and his votes cast in agreement with the Indiana Chamber’s position on certain bills, including measures providing road funding, workforce education and scholarships to top-performing Hoosier students who enter the teaching field.

“The Legislative Vote Analysis is an important source of information for thousands of Indiana employers and citizens,” states Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “The purpose is to keep Hoosiers informed about what’s going on at the Indiana Statehouse and how their legislators are voting on issues vital to the state’s economic future and their own. This report makes it clear which legislators support pro-economy, pro-jobs bills and which legislators do not.”

Indiana is one of the most business-friendly states in the country, recently ranking first in the Midwest and among the top five in the nation for best business climate, according to Chief Executive’s annual “Best & Worst States for Business” ranking.

“Our state is the best in the Midwest to do business,” Burton said. “I will continue to support sound policies that encourage employers to come to Indiana bringing jobs to Hoosiers and growing our economy.”

Burton, chair of the House Committee on Financial Institutions, received a four-year aggregate score of 97 percent.

-30-

The Indiana Chamber partners with 24,000 members and investors – representing over four million Hoosiers – to achieve the mission of “cultivating a world-class environment which provides economic opportunity and prosperity.”

State Rep. Woody Burton sheds light on child abuse in Indiana during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

According to the Department of Child Services (DCS), over 202,000 child abuse or neglect cases were reported in 2015. This session, Burton supported legislation setting up a child abuse offender registry containing information on individuals previously convicted of child abuse or neglect.

Better known as “Kirk’s Law,” Burton said that this proposal was inspired by Kirk Coleman, a 19-month-old child who passed away while under the care of a babysitter who had pled guilty to child neglect eight years prior to Kirk’s passing.

Burton, a victim of child abuse, has shared his story with others to draw attention to this growing problem. Last year, Burton testified in favor of legislation that provided funding for victims of domestic violence.

“I know firsthand the devastating effects child abuse can have on a victim. When I was younger, my father was very abusive. It is something that will always be a part of me,” Burton said. “This month is a reminder to always be on the lookout for warning signs to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

Throughout April, there will be several events held across the state to raise awareness for child abuse prevention. On Monday, April 11, Gov. Mike Pence will recognize Child Abuse Awareness Month with a presentation at the Indiana Statehouse. For more information visit www.in.gov/dcs/preventchildabuse.

If you know of or suspect child abuse or neglect, call the 24-hour DCS hotline at 1-800-800-5556.

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

• Enrico Amadore, from Franklin, attends Whiteland Community High School;
• Joshua Clemens, from Greenwood, attends Lutheran High School;
• Milica Djuricic, from Franklin, attends Franklin Community High School;
• Ashleigh Powell, from Fishers, attends Fishers High School;
• Garatt Stafford, from Nineveh, attends Southside Christian Homeschool Academy;
• Virinia Stafford, from Nineveh, attends Southside Christian Homeschool Academy; and
• Lauren Teike, from Greenwood, attends Center Grove High School.

As a House page, these participants toured government offices, helped staff with daily duties and joined Burton on the House floor as he conducted the people’s business.

Burton said students aged 13-18 should consider participating next session.

For more information, visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com/page-program.

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

• Ammon Brownlee, from Greenwood, is a home-schooled student;
• Jaren Brownlee, from Greenwood, is a home-schooled student;
• Elizabeth Hamner, from Indianapolis, attends Plainfield High School;
• Emily Hamner, from Indianapolis, is a home-schooled student;
• Rachel Hamner, from Indianapolis, attends Plainfield High School;
• Leah Jackson, from Franklin, is a home-schooled student;
• David Ketchum, from Nineveh, is a home-schooled student;
• Will Ketchum, from Nineveh, is a home-schooled student;
• Analia Tapia, from Greenwood, is a home-schooled student;
• Garrett Tapia, from Greenwood, is a home-schooled student;
• Noessel Todd, from Franklin, is a home-schooled student; and
• Merrick York, from Franklin, is a home-schooled student.

As a House page, these participants toured government offices, helped staff with daily duties and joined Burton on the House floor as he conducted the people’s business.

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.

-30-

State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) represents a portion of Johnson County.

High-resolution photos can be accessed by clicking on the page’s name above or by visiting the

INHouseGOP Flickr account.

State Rep. Woody Burton presented a resolution on the House floor today to raise awareness for dyslexia by recognizing the Scottish Rite Cathedral, which conducts the free-of-charge Children’s Dyslexia Center of Indianapolis and Decoding Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that may affect an individual’s ability to read, write, spell and pronounce words. Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and is unrelated to intelligence—it does not inhibit a student’s ability to think critically or be creative.

State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) on the House floor with Cheryl Clemens, Nanci Perri, Mary Binnion and Julie Bohannon.

“When I first met Cheryl Clemens and her son and learned of Indiana’s Decoding Dyslexia, a grassroots movement driven by Indiana families, I was impressed with the knowledge and research they had to share,” Burton said. “Dyslexia presents challenges to the typical learning process, but with the right resources and support, there is no limit to student success.”

Last session, Burton authored legislation that was signed into law that requires aspiring teachers to be instructed on how to recognize dyslexia and other reading disorders in their students. By identifying these disorders earlier, teachers are now better able to teach their students according to their individual needs.

“One in five people in the U.S. are dyslexic to some degree,” Burton said. “Since learning about dyslexia, I discovered that many famous and successful people have dealt with dyslexia, including Steve Jobs, Charles Schwab and Steven Spielberg.”