Blog
Sen. Deery Shares Updates
| The Indiana General Assembly has reached the halftime point in the legislative session, which means bills must have passed out of their original chamber to keep moving forward in the process unless language can be amended into another bill. Scroll down to the “Legislative Update” section to read about three of my bills that passed out of the Senate for consideration in the House. As a caucus, bills being prioritized by Senate Republicans include: Enacting meaningful property tax reform; Containing Medicaid costs and preventing fraud; Lowering health care costs; Managing our state’s water resources responsibly; and Increasing fiscal integrity and contract accountability in state government. These bills now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration. In the second half of session, the Senate will present our version of the state’s two-year budget proposal. Money the state takes in was first earned by hardworking Hoosiers, so I believe it is important to ensure it is invested wisely. That’s why, as your state senator, I will work hard to ensure our state government lives within its means, runs efficiently and funds necessary services for taxpayers. | |
| Legislative Update Among the bills that I authored that passed the Senate, these three are my top priority: Senate Bill 505 would allow emergency responders to transport individuals to more options than an emergency room. An ambulance could also take someone to mental health facility or urgent care facility that can provide the patient appropriate and necessary treatment. The bipartisan bill passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday. Senate Bill 255 would help our schools recruit more qualified STEM teachers and require schools to change their policies on bullying investigations to prioritize parental rights. The bipartisan bill unanimously passed the Senate. Senate Bill 249 would make it easier for school corporations to give their top teachers and the teachers working in shortage areas a meaningful salary raise. The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday and now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. | |
| Senate District 23 INDOT Update The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced a public hearing to invite residents of Vermillion County to discuss two proposed bridge removals on State Road 63 near Cayuga, south of S.R. 234. The hearing will take place on Feb. 25 at North Vermillion High School, 5555 N. Falcon Drive in Cayuga. This event is a great opportunity for community feedback on the project and its impact. I urge residents to attend to make their voices heard on behalf of their community. Also undergoing changes is State Road 63, which will experience temporary lane closures beginning on or after Friday, Feb. 21 northbound and southbound in Vermillion County. During construction, motorists can expect alternating, single-lane closures on S.R. 63 bridges over U.S. 36 and crews waterproofing structures. Construction in the area is expected to last through July depending on weather. Your safety is important, and I ask motorists to use caution and mind speed limit changes when traveling in these work zones. | |
| Celebrating FFA Week Feb. 15-22 was FFA Week in Indiana, when more than 14,000 Hoosier FFA members participated in activities that promote the importance of agricultural education. Recently, Hoosier FFA members were invited to the Statehouse to participate in Indiana FFA Page Day, where they worked alongside legislators and learned about the legislative process. State Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) represents Senate District 23, which includes Fountain, Parke, Vermillion and Warren counties, and portions of Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties. | |
