State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) and John Young (R-Franklin) joined fellow legislators at the Statehouse on Tuesday for the Indiana General Assembly’s Organization Day.
Organization Day marks the ceremonial start to the 2019 legislative session. It occurs annually in November, providing state lawmakers time to gather together, meet new members and prepare for the upcoming legislative session. Following the general election this month, all re-elected members and member-elects were sworn into office.
“With the legislative session officially underway, lawmakers can focus on drafting legislation to keep Indiana on the right track,” Young said. “In 2019, we will be crafting an honestly balanced state budget and keeping schools safe, while still living within our means.”
Members of the House of Representatives are partnering with the Indiana Division of The Salvation Army to increase awareness about childhood hunger. Advocacy groups report nearly half of all food-insecure households in Indiana have children living there, and 33 percent of those being served at Hoosier food banks are under the age of 18. House legislators are collecting non-perishable food items for school children who face a period of hunger between the free lunch they receive in school on Friday and the free breakfast they receive in school on Monday.
“For 1 in 5 kids, not having a nutritious meal on the weekend is a heartbreaking reality,” Burton said. “While schools work diligently to fill the need during the week, there is still more to be done outside the cafeteria. Throughout the next several months, lawmakers, staff and visitors will be able to donate non-perishable food to help keep young Hoosiers healthy so they can focus on being a kid.”
The 2019 legislative session begins Jan. 3 and by law must conclude by April 29.
Constituents who want to stay informed about the General Assembly and members of the House of Representatives can sign up to receive legislative email updates at www.indianahouserepublicans.com.
State Rep. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland) represents House District 58,
which includes a portion of Johnson County.
State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin) represents House District 47,
which includes portions of Johnson and Morgan counties.
