| |
 Policy Update, January 16, 2015
|
|
Thank you for your interest and support. The Indiana Association of United Ways usually 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).
|
 
Coalition calls for 2-1-1 Funding
A coalition and bi-partisan team of legislative leaders call on the General Assembly to provide state funding for Indiana's 2-1-1 system. A network of 8 regional centers, Indiana 211 Partnership, helped about 1 in 10 Hoosiers with nearly 1 million referrals in 2014. See year end summary or reports.
2-1-1 callers include veterans, victims of domestic abuse, seniors and job seekers, among many others. Currently, 2-1-1 receives the vast majority of its funding from the philanthropic sector, even though government agencies such as the State Dept. of Health, FSSA and 9-1-1 regularly refer Hoosiers to 2-1-1. Without government funding, this service is unsustainable.
House Bill 1010, introduced by Rep. Jud McMillin (at right with Attorney General Greg Zoeller, Sen. Jim Merritt, Rep. Greg Porter and Sen. Karen Tallian), would provide $2 million a year to support Indiana 211 Partnership. See media release or news story on WISH-TV in Indy.
|
|
 Be informed about the Indiana General Assembly
In the last 10 days, members of the Indiana General Assembly have posted 486 bills in the House and 567 in the Senate, though more may be posted and only a fraction will make it to law by April 30. The most important bill during a long session is the budget bill, HB1001.
- Calendar is at right. Committee meetings are usually held Monday - Thursday. Session days are usually held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Find Your Legislator.
- Review the bills and the committees.
|
Register for legislative update webinars
Register now for the first Legislative Update Webinar scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 3pmET, which will give an overview of the hot topics related to human services, new committee makeup and how to connect. The "mid-session" and "wrap-up" dates will be announced soon.
|
 The State of the State and Governor's proposed budget
Governor Pence outlined his priorities in the State of the State address on Tuesday night and called for a balanced budget amendment. The Governor outlined his budget priorities:
- Education - $200M more for K-12; $1,500/pupil more for charters; $10M/yr for pre-k pilot; $20M more for career and technical education through Indiana Works Councils; $7M/yr for adult high schools; and 10% more for Teacher Performance Grants
- Jobs and Economic Development - $84M for the Regional Cities initiative; $100M in FY16 and $200M in FY17 for Major Moves 2020 fund; $25M for new State Archives building; and $25M for Bicentennial Inn at Potato Creek State Park.
- Critical services - $11M/yr for State Adoption Subsidy program; full funding for the Medicaid forecast; and $8M for awareness and prenatal care services to at-risk mothers in effort to reduce infant mortality.
|
  175,447 Hoosiers signed up; twice as many still waiting for HIP 2.0 decision During the first six weeks of Open Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace, more than 6.8 million Americans, including 175,447 Hoosiers, enrolled or re-enrolled in coverage for 2015. About 88% of Hoosiers who selected plans were eligible for financial assistance. See Weekly Enrollment Snapshot. Navigators and assisters across the state are busy with Outreach and Enrollment events before the February 15 deadline. Or call 2-1-1 for a Navigator near you.
Navigators also report frustration with the number of people who fall in the coverage gap--those who earn too much for Medicaid and too little for the Marketplace. This group, estimated at around 350,000-400,000 Hoosiers, would qualify for HIP 2.0 if it were available. Consumers and advocates alike are eager for approval by the federal government.
|
Jennings County Youth Leadership at the Statehouse
Seventeen high schoolers met with their elected representatives as a part of the Jennings County Youth Leadership, a United Way-funded program. After a tour of the Statehouse, they met with Rep. Jim Lucas, Rep. Randy Frye and Sen. Chip Perfect (photo below). The students are studying electronic privacy issues and communications with parents, using SB266 as an example for discussion.
Statehouse visits are a great opportunity for all.
|
  Free Tax Preparation kicks off around the state!Many United Ways and partners support free tax preparation services around the state as a way to help working Hoosiers. Volunteers complete a training and certification from the IRS to volunteer a few hours a week through the tax filing season. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) helped over 2% of households prepare their tax returns and helped return millions to local communities.
IaUW has kicked off a statewide awareness campaign of free tax preparation through VITA and My Free Taxes. Have you heard any of our radio spots? Call 2-1-1 to find a site near you. Or contact us for more info.
|
Indiana named a part of the "Terrible Ten" on tax fairness
Indiana is named as one of the "terrible ten," ranking 10th worst in the country for unfairness. Indiana is not alone, as nearly every state takes a much greater share of income from low- and middle income families than from wealthy families. Indiana ranks among the most unfair because our tax system is over-reliant on sales tax. The lowest 20% of earners pay 12% of their family income, while the highest 1% of earners pay 5.2% of their family income, in state and local taxes. See Indiana's profile.
The report includes detailed state-by-state profiles that provide baseline data to help lawmakers understand the effect tax reform proposals will have on constituents at all income levels.
IaUW is a strong supporter of State Earned Income Tax Credit to help lower-wage working Hoosiers.
|
 IaUW Public PolicyIaUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. We focus on policies that are aligned with the impact work in local communities conducted by our 61 United Ways and United Funds.
- Education, so that children are prepared for and succeed in school;
- Income/Financial Stability, so that individuals and families may achieve and sustain financial stability;
- Health, so that individuals may access quality healthcare; and
- Strong Communities, where a statewide 2-1-1 network and a strong charitable sector help communities thrive.
|
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.
|
|
Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
