By Zeke Torres
Jul 2, 2021 | 12:24 AM
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) As July 1 marks the beginning of Indiana’s new $37.4 billion budget, lawmakers hope to stay competitive with nearby states. Some key areas of spending include Medicaid, public safety and major investments in K-12 education.
“We have to be fiscal, conservative. We have to make sure there’s enough money in case of a recession and we have to stick to a household budget. Our goal remains to improve the quality of life in Indiana,” State State Rep. Bob Heaton said
However, many tax payer dollars will also be used in assisting businesses impacted by COVID-19, while still creating larger scale economic opportunity.
INDIANAPOLIS â Rep. Denny Zent of Angola was one of 19 who signed a letter penned by Seymour Rep. Jim Lucas, demanding Gov. Eric Holcomb intervene in Indiana Universityâs decision to require COVID-19 vaccinations this fall.
A letter dated Tuesday to Holcomb calls on him to prohibit any state university from mandating vaccines that donât have full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
The letter follows IUâs announcement on Friday that COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for the fall semester on all of its campuses, the Associated Press reported
âEnforcing a mandate that students and faculty accept a vaccine that does not have full FDA approval is unconscionable,â said the letter written by Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour and signed by 18 fellow Republican House members. No high-ranking Republican leaders, however, signed the letter, though some were committee chairs.
By Local News | MyWabashValley.com
INDIANAPOLIS – Vigo County lawmakers are in full support of a new state law prioritizing broadband access for students, schools and rural clinics.
State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) said rural communities throughout the state struggle to get quality access to broadband and high speed internet.
Currently, Indiana’s infrastructure plan includes the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, which is available to supply reliable and affordable broadband service to areas of the state without good internet connection through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Under the legislation signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb, OCRA must make it a priority to deploy these grants to unserved areas most in need first.
New state bill would help people in the Indiana National Guard get their Master s Degrees
An Indiana representative is working on a bill that would help National Guardsmen get their Master s Degrees.
Posted: Jan 22, 2021 3:39 PM
Updated: Jan 22, 2021 5:44 PM
Posted By: Staff Report
An Indiana representative is working on a bill that would help National Guardsmen get their Master s Degrees.
The bill was introduced by 46th District State Representative Bob Heaton of Terre Haute.
Currently, Indiana s National Guard tuition supplement grant helps people in the guard pay for undergraduate degrees.
The bill, House Bill 1085, has been assigned to the Indiana House Committee for Education for consideration.