Find the fixes

We need problems to be fixed.
That was a message from local residents Saturday to their state legislators.
Fix the conflict that arose after last session’s passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Fix the system so there is enough funding for roads.
And take steps to fix the state’s drug problem, specifically in regard to methamphetamine and heroin.
Those were the main concerns addressed by residents during a Third House Session with Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle) and Rep. Greg Beumer (R-Modoc), who represent Jay County, hosted by Jay County Chamber of Commerce at Community Resource Center in Portland.
After a lengthy opening update during which Holdman discussed two bills — Senate Bill 100 and Senate Bill 344 — he authored regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, more than half of the time remaining for public comment and questions was spent on that issue.
His goal is to give the LGBT community civil rights protections while at the same time providing exemptions to religious organizations and small businesses (those with fewer than six employees).
Mark Goldman, owner of Pennville Custom Cabinetry, pleaded with the legislators to fix the issue once and for all, saying it almost killed his business.
Fran Austin questioned the idea of allowing exemptions, asking who makes the decision about what businesses are allowed to deny service.
Bob Moore asked why other states aren’t having problems Indiana is having in regard to LGBT rights.
And Ken Bantz quoted the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
“And I think that’s one reason that Indiana’s made to look so bad here,” said Bantz, who was one of about 35 in attendance. “That whole legislation runs against the whole premise that this country is built upon. ...
“We need to put this behind us. We have more important issues to deal with.”
Holdman emphasized that he is not against giving the LGBT community protected status against discrimination, but that if it is granted exemptions like the ones in his bill should also be included. He added that he has had opposition from both sides — those who disagree with protecting LGBT civil rights and those who say any exemptions qualify as discrimination.
“We’ve got to find some middle ground,” he said in offering a response to both of those viewpoints. “We’re not legalizing discrimination. We’re providing an exemption for people who have a faith-based objection for what they’re being asked to do. So it’s not legalized discrimination, it’s legalized exemption for those folks who find it morally repugnant to do some of the things that folks ask them to do.”
Drugs topped the list of other issues local residents asked their legislators to do something about. Statistics have shown Indiana to be the national leader in methamphetamine use and East Central Indiana as the leading area in the state.
Moore questioned the legislators about their plans to combat the drug problem.
“Clearly we have to, as a state, if the problem here is as bad as statistically they tell us it is … we really have to declare war on drugs,” said Beumer. “Indiana needs to become the state that is by far the most stringent in the country, if you deal, if you manufacture …
“Let’s make Indiana known as the place that you don’t bring this stuff here. You don’t do this kind of business in Indiana.”
Austin expressed concern about the fate of drug-offenders following their prison terms, with Holdman responding that treatment must be a key component.
John Bye pressed the legislators about road funding, asking why local street and highway departments aren’t more involved in decisions about what roads are in most dire need of repair.
Holdman and Beumer noted that the legislature is working on short- and long-term solutions. A Senate bill proposes a one-time release of income tax funds to be used for road repairs, and Beumer said the House will unveil a plan this week that includes an increase to the gas tax as well as a grant program for local road funding.
In discussing a variety of options, Holdman said it is unclear if the legislature will take on the issue fully during its short session this year.
“Is a long-term fix as is being proposed in the House an appropriate fix in a non-budget year? This is a short session,” he said. “We don’t know if there’s time for a long-term fix in the short session or if we just float the ideas out there and come back next year and try to tackle it.”
Holdman also addressed ISTEP testing, saying a bill that would eliminate 2015 test scores from hurting school A through F grades is being fast-tracked and should be on Gov. Mike Pence’s desk next week. He added that there is an effort to provide some property tax relief for farmers by eliminating the “soil productivity” portion of the assessment process.
Bantz questioned the wisdom of a bill that would allow guns on college campuses, saying that while he is a gun owner he doesn’t believe such a measure would make schools safer. He instead suggested better training for staff and better logistics, such as outward opening doors that would allow professors to bar them if necessary.