Policy Update, January 31, 2014

Dear Reader:

In case you missed our last two issues in the crazy, snowy, bitter cold January...one more reminder why we changed the format of the IaUW Policy Update. New features include:

categorizing articles into our Policy Priority areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health, Charitable Sector and our regular Statehouse/Capitol Hill updates;
highlighting when to "Take Action" -- now in RED; and
making it easier to read on mobile devices.

The Policy Update will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our advocacy partners. Thank you for caring about sound public policy in Indiana. Contact us anytime with your feedback or questions.

Lucinda Nord, 317-921-1394 or cell 317-502-8504

Indiana's 2-1-1 Network Responds to Propane Gas Crisis

Indiana is currently experiencing a propane gas shortage, which means that many (mostly rural) homeowners may be unable to purchase fuel to heat their homes. Approximately 10% of Indiana households rely on propane as their primary heat source. In those cases where propane is available, the shortage is causing a price increase which may make it too expensive for homeowners to purchase.

On January 29, Governor Pence and Lt. Governor Ellspermann announced the following measures taken by the State:

temporarily relaxing of trucking rules for propane transport and delivery;
special attention by the Attorney General for instances of possible price gouging;
release of $5 million to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to provide new or additional support for eligible Hoosiers who are out, or nearly out, of propane; and
encouragement of Hoosiers to check in on their neighbors, and those in need to call 2-1-1.

2-1-1 Specialist at Connect2Help, the largest 2-1-1 in Indiana

A 2-1-1 Specialist talks with a caller

Earlier this month, Indiana's 2-1-1 network had observed an uptick in calls from people unable to pay their heating bills, worried about propane supply and those without heat entirely. See map of propane calls in early January. IN211's top referrals for these needs include community action programs, township trustees, cold weather shelters and community and faith-based organizations, where available. See Propane Tips.

Call 2-1-1 for more information.

Child care and pre-k bills move to Senate

Important child care and pre-k bills each passed out of the Indiana House and are now before the Senate. IaUW is working with many early education advocates, including business leaders, to standardize common sense health and safety rules for child care, to ensure taxpayer funds are being used to provide safe, research based, quality early education programs, and to increase pre-k options Teacher and two children play with blocks.

Teacher and two children play with blocks.

HB1004 Early Education Vouchers - The "pre-k pilot" bill aims to provide low-income children with vouchers to attend high-quality school-based or community-based pre-kindergarten programs. A priority of Governor Pence and Speaker Bosma, this bill passed in the House on 1/16 with a 87-9 vote.
HB1036 Child Care & Development Fund Eligibility - This bill ensures that taxpayer funds are being utilized at quality child care providers that meet health and safety requirements. See HB1036 Summary and Grid. The House passed this important legislation on 1/28 with a 71-24 vote. The bill moves to the Senate Health Committee.
See our fact sheet on Child Care in Indiana.

For more early education legislation see our full bill tracking list.

Indiana General Assembly is in Session

The "short session" of the Indiana General Assembly has begun and will conclude by March 14. Check out the new Indiana General Assembly website and the links most used by our readers:

See our IaUW bill list. Note this list will change throughout the session.

United Way Day at the Indiana Statehouse

Volunteers and staff of United Ways and key partners will meet with legislators on Tuesday, February 18, 2014.

Register for the Statehouse Day.
Check out the flyer or see photos and video from last year.

59 Days Left of Open Enrollment in Marketplace

Hoosiers have 59 days remaining to enroll in the health insurance Marketplace. Navigators are available to residents of all 92 counties to help Hoosiers learn about and enroll in a Marketplace insurance plan. Many Americans are unaware of the requirement to carry insurance or the options to help make insurance more affordable. Ways you or your organization can help:

If an organization,

* place flyers in your waiting room

* host an educational and enrollment event at your facility

If an individual,

* talk with family, friends and neighbors and

* visit the IN211 Outreach and Enrollment Event Calendar to learn about the events near you.

Attend a "Third House" session with your legislator(s)

State legislators hold "Third House" or "Meet Your Legislator" sessions throughout the legislative session. Legislators share the latest updates from the Statehouse and usually take questions and feedback from constituents. IaUW updates the Third House calendar in two formats: a clickable calendar with map links and a downloadable document. Are you aware of other sessions? Email us.

Today is EITC Awareness Day

January 31 marks EITC Awareness Day. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that only 4 out of 5 eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Community organizations, elected officials, state and local governments, schools, employers, and others join together to remind taxpayers to claim their credit. On average, the EITC and Child Tax Credit (CTC) tax credits lifted 9.4 million Americans out of poverty between 2009 and 2011. Many workers do not file a tax return or are not aware that they may claim this important credit. Free tax preparation sites around the state help Hoosiers file their taxes and claim their credits. Search the 211 Database with the term "tax preparation assistance."

Register for the Legislative Update Webinar or View January Session

IaUW partners with Indiana Coalition for Human Services (ICHS) and Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network (NRN) to provide three webinars throughout the legislative session. Sessions require pre-registration and will be held on Thursdays, 3pmET/2pmCT. Participants receive related documents. All staff and volunteers in human service organizations are invited to register through the links below:

February 20 - Mid-session update provides an overview of bills that "crossed over" to the second chamber.
March 20 - Post-session wrap-up explaining newly enacted laws.

View the January 23 session starter recording or view the slides. The first webinar provided an overview of introduced bills and ways to advocate.

Federal budget: human services funding and early education

Congress passed a $1.012 trillion omnibus spending package that would fund government operations through Sept. 30, 2014. It included stable and even slight increases for human service funding. Early education was a big winner with restoration of prior cuts and NEW funding. Education funding was returned to near pre-sequester levels, community schools were reinstated, and Section 8 housing will see a slight increase. Read an abbreviated summary.

IaUW Public Policy

IaUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. We focus on programs and policies that help:

children prepare for and succeed in school;
individuals achieve and sustain financial stability;
individuals access quality healthcare; and
communities thrive, including a strong 2-1-1 network and charitable sector.

Our policy priorities are developed and guided by our Public Policy Committee and our IaUW members, based on their work in Hoosier communities.

Frequently Requested Links / Documents

iauw.org - Learn about the Indiana Association of United Ways, current trainings and conferences and the ways we support local United Ways/Funds, partners and communities.

IaUW Policy / Advocacy info - Review and download IaUW Policy Priorities, Third House calendar, bill lists, fact sheets, talking points and testimony.

Advocacy Action Center - Contact your member of Congress or State Legislator, provided through our partnership with United Way Worldwide.

IaUW Policy Update Archive - Read prior issues, special articles and key documents produced by IaUW related to public policy and advocacy.

IN211.org - Search for human service information available through the referral database or by calling 2-1-1. Download reports about resources, needs, gaps and trends from Indiana 211 Partnership.

NRN Calendar - Register for high-quality and affordable training for nonprofit staff and volunteers by the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network.

Funding and Other Opportunities - Explore current requests for proposals, funding and recognition opportunities.

Indiana General Assembly - Check the hearing or floor schedule, watch a live or recorded hearing or floor session and look up your legislators.

Library of Congress - Look up bills introduced in Congress. Note that the THOMAS site will be maintained through 2014 and fully replaced by Congress.gov.