Indiana Legislative session to start Wednesday...HEA 1001 is the hot topic

The Indiana General Assembly convenes for the 2009 legislative session on Wednesday and much could be in store for the future of St Joseph County. This year is strictly a "budget year" and is scheduled to last approximately four months. There are many speculations on what (if any) amendments will be made to the provisions of HEA 1001.

The 1081 page House Enrolled Act 1001 (HEA 1001) was passed last legislative session as a potential streamliner for local governments. The bill included changes in tax structures, the ousting of township assessors, and allowed for referendum votes on large ticket spending items by local governments among other things. Benevolent in its premise, the passing of this bill resulted in millions of dollars of debt to many of the old industial communities in the northern part of the state.

St Joseph County, South Bend, and Mishawaka have all been hit very hard by HEA 1001 and have already layed-off many workers and cut some services. Despite this, the three municipalities are looking at the laying off of hundreds more workers, but also a Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) increase just to break even. While law enforcement and fire safety usually comprise about 80% or more of a city or counties budget, it is likely that these departments will see the most cuts. This will surely mean less fire fighters, drastically less police, less paying for criminals to be detained in jails, and a slew of other essential services that our community needs.

Groups such as the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT), Indiana Association of Counties (IAC), as well as many local leaders themselves have been lobbying the Governor and the legislature to make some much needed updates or amendments to HEA 1001 to ensure the future fiscal solvency of the municipalities in our county. Some believe that since Speaker of the House Pat Bauer (D) is from St Joseph County himself that he will be spearheading some of these changes immedeately. Others believe that the House Democrats are stuck in a political headlock between a Republican controlled Senate and Governor, and do not have the clout to deal with these problems.

Below I listed both the House and Senate committees with the members from our area that sit on them. It will be very important for the electorate to pay close attention this session to the legislature this year. With the many constitutionally protective layers of government, it is sometimes difficult for the average citizen to at which elected official "the buck stops".

Stay tuned to the Journal for legislative updates throughout the session.

...stay classy South Bend.

House Committees:
Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities:
Rep. Ryan Dvorak
Courts and Criminal Code:
Rep. Ryan Dvorak
Elections and Apportionment:
Rep. David Niezgodski, Vice Chair
Environmental Affairs:
Rep. Ryan Dvorak, Chair
Family, Children, and Human Affairs:
Rep. Jackie Walorski
Financial Institutions:
Rep. Craig Fry
Insurance:
Rep. Craig Fry, Chair
Judiciary:
Rep. Ryan Dvorak
Labor and Employment:
Rep. David Niezgodski, Chair
Public Health:
Rep. Craig Fry
Public Policy:
Rep. Jackie Walorski
Roads and Transportation:
Rep. David Niezgodski
Committee on Joint Rules:
Speaker B. Patrick Bauer (ex officio)


Senate Committees:
APPROPRIATIONS:
Senator John Broden, R.M.M.
Senator Ryan Mishler
COMMERCE, PUBLIC POLICY & INTERSTATE COOPERATION:
Senator Jim Arnold
Senator Joe Zakas
ELECTIONS:
Senator John Broden
ETHICS:
Senator Jim Arnold
HEALTH & PROVIDER SERVICES:
Senator Ryan Mishler, R.M.
Provider Services Subcommittee
Senator Ryan Mishler
HOMELAND SECURITY, TRANSPORTATION & VETERANS AFFAIRS:
Senator Jim Arnold, R.M.M.
Public Safety Subcommittee
Senator Jim Arnold
INSURANCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS:
Senator Joe Zakas
Insurance Subcommittee:
Senator Joe Zakas
JUDICIARY:
Senator Joe Zakas, R.M.
Senator John Broden
Probate Code & Trusts Subcommittee:
Senator Joe Zakas, Chair
Senator John Broden
NATURAL RESOURCES:
Senator Ryan Mishler, Chair
Senator Jim Arnold
PENSIONS & LABOR:
Senator Jim Arnold
TAX & FISCAL POLICY:
Senator Joe Zakas
Senator John Broden