Church Blog

The Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matter.
 
The Indiana General Assembly will be convening later this month. The 2012 session begins with Organization Day on November 22. This day is primarily ceremonial and sets in motion the structure and organization for the session. Bills will be drafted and caucuses will begin strategy in order to hit the ground running in January. 2012 is the short session, which means it has to end by March 15; this year also the session will be interrupted by the Super Bowl.  With a hiatus in the middle of the session, it will impact the number and scope of bills each chamber considers.
 
Because of the shortened nature of the session, we are not expecting as much substantive legislation as was passed last year. However, it will be important to protect what was accomplished, particularly the landmark voucher bill. It is important that legislators hear from constituents that the efforts to pass this law are appreciated. And Thanksgiving time, when the General Assembly convenes is an appropriate moment to tell them. Please take a minute to contact your legislator and let them know that the Choice Scholarship and the Scholarship Tax Credit Scholarship programs are valued and appreciated.
 
This link:  Contact your legislator will allow you to contact both your State Representative and State Senator to thank them and to let them know that these programs make a difference in the lives of many and benefit all Hoosiers.
 
While substantive education legislation is not expected, we do expect a controversial issue to be a focal point this session – Right to Work. This issue caused the walkout by Democrats last session and is likely to make sparks fly again this time. It was eventually removed last session but an interim committee recommended that it return for consideration in 2012. It will dominate the session and control the fate of many other bills.
 
We do expect legislation surrounding other social and pro-life topics. ICC will again be involved and providing an opportunity for you to be involved as well. I-CAN Updates will be published each week beginning in January until the session’s conclusion. And we invite you to take part though the Legislative Action Center on our webpage. The Church speaks through its teaching and officials and even more effectively when faithful Catholics engage in the process. Thanks for taking an interest and doing your part.