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 Policy Update, November 10, 2014
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Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways provides its Policy Update on "odd Fridays" (1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays). Contact us if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).
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 Indiana's United Way ALICE report Twenty-three percent (23%) of Hoosier households are "ALICE" households, who earn more than the federal poverty level but less than the cost of living. ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed
and is a new way to understand why so many of our friends and neighbors are working hard but falling behind. When combined with the 14% who have incomes below federal poverty, it means that more than one in three Hoosier households (37%) lives below the ALICE threshold.
Indiana Association of United Ways and members plan to use the research-based report, which includes state and county level data, to educate communities and leaders and shape practices in business, government and nonprofit organizations.
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A-F Grades released - What's your schools' grades?
The Indiana Board of Education released the A-F results for schools last week. More than half of Indiana's schools received "A" grades, and fewer schools received "F" grades. StateImpact Indiana offers a sortable table.
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 Election results  Voter turnout was low, but it didn't prevent some changes and a couple surprises.
Statehouse
- The Indiana General Assembly now has what some have termed "super-duper, super majorities" of Republicans, with 71-29 in the House and 40-10 in the Senate.
- In addition to new faces replacing those retiring, there were a handful of upsets. Democrats lost House seats previously held by Kreg Battles (Vincennes), Mara Candelaria Reardon (Munster), Shelli Vandenburgh (Crown Point), and the Senate seats of Lindel Hume (Princeton), Tim Skinner (Terre Haute) and Richard Young (Milltown). Republicans lost the House seat of Jack Lutz (Anderson). All other seats remained in the same party's control.
Statewide races
- Women are making history, holding five of the seven statewide elected races: Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and Superintendent Glenda Ritz who were elected in 2012; Secretary of State Connie Lawson and Auditor Suzanne Crouch, who were both appointed to the seats to which they were elected; and Treasurer Kelli Mitchell who was running for statewide office for the first time. Governor Mike Pence and Attorney General Greg Zoeller are the men holding elected statewide offices.
Local referenda failed
- Bartholomew County's pre-kindergarten referendum failed by 1,200 votes, which is lower than the 2,000 vote loss in 2012.
- Voters in Noble County rejected the construction referendum for East Noble schools.
- Read more about school referenda in Indiana.
Congress
- All nine incumbent members of Indiana's congressional delegation were re-elected.
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  Voter confessions
Estimates are that voter turnout in Indiana ranged from 28-34%. Even if 35%, voter turnout will be among the lowest. Why is it so low? Apathy? Anger? Hopelessness?
What do you think? If you didn't vote or know someone who didn't vote, help us understand why. What would it take to increase voter turnout?
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Countdown to Open Enrollment
Healthcare stakeholders are prepared for the launch of the Open Enrollment period in the Health Insurance Marketplace, which runs November 15 through February 15, 2015. Key messages to share with your employees and consumers, even if they are renewing plans purchased in the last year:
- Education is critical. There are new options with additional plans (up to 10 insurance companies with hundreds of plans), physicians, hospital networks and rates. If you are a nonprofit, materials are available to post in your waiting room.
- There are many ways to enroll. You can visit healthcare.gov, contact the national call center (1-800-318-2596), attend an enrollment event (see calendar for outreach or enrollment events near you) or meet with a Navigator.
- Help is available. Trained and certified Navigators provide free, impartial assistance. Call 2-1-1 to find a Navigator near you.
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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.
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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.
NEW - Community Report Card - Check out key indicators in Education, Income and Health for your neighborhood, county or region. IN211.org - S earch 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.
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.
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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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