January 13, 2018 at 7:20 p.m.
Legislators discuss range of issues
Legislators discuss range of issues
Copyright 2018, The Commercial Review
All Rights Reserved
Rep. Greg Beumer and Sen. Travis Holdman entered this year’s legislative session under the impression that there would be no one overriding issue.
That theory held true Saturday at a gathering in Jay County.
Issues discussed included school funding, taxes, the opioid epidemic, township governance, redistricting, workforce development, medical marijuana and the Department of Child Services during the Third House Session with the lawmakers sponsored by Jay County Chamber of Commerce at Community Resource Center.
Paul Lagemann, district director for U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, was also in attendance at the event.
Both Holdman (R-Markle) and Beumer (R-Modoc) emphasized the need for changing approaches on two issues that go hand-in-hand — the state’s drug epidemic and workforce development.
Beumer, who has announced that he will not seek re-election this year, noted that opioid deaths in the state have increased more than 50 percent in the last two years, with an average of 100 residents dying every month. In terms of dealing with that problem, he pointed to a House Republican measure that would add nine drug treatment centers in Indiana, with a goal of making sure all Hoosiers live within a one-hour drive of such a facility.
“The opioid problem is on everyone’s radar,” he said. “We’ve got to work on solving this problem.”
In illustrating the connection between opioids and workforce development, Holdman noted a metal stamping business in his district — it covers all or part of Jay, Adams, Blackford, Wells, Grant and Huntington counties — at which 400 hires were made from Jan. 1 through Nov. 30 last year. Only 50 of those remain, in large part, he said, because of inability to pass a drug test.
“They have resorted to working with a company out of Fort Wayne that will actually transport workers … to the factory to do the work,” said Holdman, who is facing a primary challenge this year from Eric Orr of Berne. “And I know there’s a business here in Portland that is doing the same thing.”
One measure that is attempting to address workforce issues is House Bill 1002, which would repeal current workforce training programs in favor of a new State Workforce Innovative Council. That group would be in charge of distributing workforce grants statewide.
The issue of funding, both for battling the opioid epidemic and improving workforce development, was a key concern raised by those in attendance Saturday.
“(The drug problem) pervasive across every sector of the community. Everyone is trying to do something about it,” said Nick Miller, chairman of Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, noting programs such as treatment centers, opioid tracking and other initiatives. “Money has to come along with a lot of these proposals.”
Jim Byrd and Jack Houck both asked about funding for workforce development, with the former noting that money needs to make its way to outlying counties and not only be focused on the Indianapolis area.
The legislators agreed that getting help to rural communities is a key issue.
“It’s always based on the flow of projects,” said Beumer, “and that’s part of our problem in rural areas is that we don’t have as many projects. You always read about how in Fishers and Carmel and everywhere around Indianapolis, lots of projects are happening there. We’ve got to get our workforce where we can make some of those projects happen here.”
Those in attendance also asked questions about school funding, with the legislators responding that there are no plans to change the current system in which the money follows the student. However, the legislature is expected to increase funding overall to account for an overall increase in enrollment in the state.
Medical marijuana got some significant discussion, but only after the legislators asked those in attendance for their opinions on the issue that is being addressed this year with Senate Bills 307 and 310 and House Bill 1106. Comments were evenly divided, with some raising concerns about regulation and the impact on traffic safety and others supporting its use to help patients get relief from pain.
While not advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana, Beumer noted that veterans groups are among the most vocal supporters on the issue. Marijuana can be used to ease the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems that are common in those who have spent time in military service.
Holdman said he understands the medical benefits but added that his concern lies in medical marijuana becoming a farce for recreational use.
All Rights Reserved
Rep. Greg Beumer and Sen. Travis Holdman entered this year’s legislative session under the impression that there would be no one overriding issue.
That theory held true Saturday at a gathering in Jay County.
Issues discussed included school funding, taxes, the opioid epidemic, township governance, redistricting, workforce development, medical marijuana and the Department of Child Services during the Third House Session with the lawmakers sponsored by Jay County Chamber of Commerce at Community Resource Center.
Paul Lagemann, district director for U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, was also in attendance at the event.
Both Holdman (R-Markle) and Beumer (R-Modoc) emphasized the need for changing approaches on two issues that go hand-in-hand — the state’s drug epidemic and workforce development.
Beumer, who has announced that he will not seek re-election this year, noted that opioid deaths in the state have increased more than 50 percent in the last two years, with an average of 100 residents dying every month. In terms of dealing with that problem, he pointed to a House Republican measure that would add nine drug treatment centers in Indiana, with a goal of making sure all Hoosiers live within a one-hour drive of such a facility.
“The opioid problem is on everyone’s radar,” he said. “We’ve got to work on solving this problem.”
In illustrating the connection between opioids and workforce development, Holdman noted a metal stamping business in his district — it covers all or part of Jay, Adams, Blackford, Wells, Grant and Huntington counties — at which 400 hires were made from Jan. 1 through Nov. 30 last year. Only 50 of those remain, in large part, he said, because of inability to pass a drug test.
“They have resorted to working with a company out of Fort Wayne that will actually transport workers … to the factory to do the work,” said Holdman, who is facing a primary challenge this year from Eric Orr of Berne. “And I know there’s a business here in Portland that is doing the same thing.”
One measure that is attempting to address workforce issues is House Bill 1002, which would repeal current workforce training programs in favor of a new State Workforce Innovative Council. That group would be in charge of distributing workforce grants statewide.
The issue of funding, both for battling the opioid epidemic and improving workforce development, was a key concern raised by those in attendance Saturday.
“(The drug problem) pervasive across every sector of the community. Everyone is trying to do something about it,” said Nick Miller, chairman of Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, noting programs such as treatment centers, opioid tracking and other initiatives. “Money has to come along with a lot of these proposals.”
Jim Byrd and Jack Houck both asked about funding for workforce development, with the former noting that money needs to make its way to outlying counties and not only be focused on the Indianapolis area.
The legislators agreed that getting help to rural communities is a key issue.
“It’s always based on the flow of projects,” said Beumer, “and that’s part of our problem in rural areas is that we don’t have as many projects. You always read about how in Fishers and Carmel and everywhere around Indianapolis, lots of projects are happening there. We’ve got to get our workforce where we can make some of those projects happen here.”
Those in attendance also asked questions about school funding, with the legislators responding that there are no plans to change the current system in which the money follows the student. However, the legislature is expected to increase funding overall to account for an overall increase in enrollment in the state.
Medical marijuana got some significant discussion, but only after the legislators asked those in attendance for their opinions on the issue that is being addressed this year with Senate Bills 307 and 310 and House Bill 1106. Comments were evenly divided, with some raising concerns about regulation and the impact on traffic safety and others supporting its use to help patients get relief from pain.
While not advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana, Beumer noted that veterans groups are among the most vocal supporters on the issue. Marijuana can be used to ease the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and other problems that are common in those who have spent time in military service.
Holdman said he understands the medical benefits but added that his concern lies in medical marijuana becoming a farce for recreational use.
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