Senator reappointed to six interim study committees including review of state budget
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) upon recommendation by Senate Democrat Leader Vi Simpson (D-Ellettsville), has reappointed State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage) as a member of the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Committee and as a member of several other interim committees and commissions. The committee was established in 2009 under comprehensive legislation cosponsored by Tallian to repair the state's bankrupt Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The committee is charged with studying the makeup of the trust fund and will continue to review methods to provide benefits to unemployed Hoosiers.
Tallian will also serve as an alternate member of the State Budget Committee and will be involved in drafting the state’s next two-year budget. Work on the budget will begin in the fall with a Budget Committee review of agency budget requests. The Budget Committee also meets throughout the year to approve the release of state funding for projects and to review various related issues.
Tallian’s other reappointments include the Environmental Quality Service Council, Census Data Advisory Committee, Illiana Expressway Proposal Review Committee, and Pensions Management Oversight Commission.
Other topics assigned for review this year by the General Assembly include the following:
Legislative redistricting: The Census Data Advisory Committee will study the 2011 redistricting process. The federal census data obtained in 2010 will be used to make a variety of decisions at the state and local levels, including where state legislative and congressional district lines are drawn for the next 10 years.
Economic development: The newly formed Committee on Economic Development will study available economic development tools and how Indiana’s tax laws can encourage business development and job growth.
Statewide smoking ban: A statewide smoking ban and its economic impact on the state and local businesses will be studied by the Health Finance Commission.
Health care: A report on the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will be presented to the Health Finance Commission by the non-partisan state Legislative Services Agency. The impact of federal health care reform on the Healthy Indiana Plan and other state programs will also be reviewed by the Health Finance Commission.
The General Assembly annually convenes interim study committees and permanent commissions to conduct in-depth research and analysis of issues affecting the state. Recommendations from these committees are often the basis for future legislation. More information about committee topics, schedules and agendas is available online at www.in.gov/legislative/interim.
For more information on Senator Tallian, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.