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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

County officials heard about an incident involving law enforcement at the Hardinsburg ballpark last week. The discussion was held during the Tuesday, May 7, meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

Kristy Pavey, a parent of a ballplayer, said the scheduled game was cancelled shortly before its start due to predicted inclement weather and the gate to the field was locked. The opposing team had already arrived when the decision was made to cancel the game. Since the players were present, they held a practice. Pavey said at some point, the gate was unlocked, but she didn’t know who unlocked it. The practice ended when deputies arrived to remove the players and parents from the ballpark.

Commissioner Todd Ewen told Pavey the locks are needed to prevent vandals on four-wheelers from accessing and damaging the field. Pavey said she understands the need to lock the gate used for vehicle access; however, she believes the ballpark’s pedestrian access should remain open.

Pavey said parents of the players have been “shut out” from interacting with the board responsible for the ballpark. When parents express interest in participating with the appointed board, they are ignored.

Commission President Phillip Marshall said the commissioners have been advised by their attorney to develop rules concerning access to the ballpark. He said the county is responsible for the park – as well as for paying to repair any damage from vandals. He assured Pavey that commissioners are working on a solution.

Other matters discussed during the meeting included:
*Anthony Green, of Livonia, complained that the town’s Council refused to allow him to establish a medical taxi business out of his house. He said the Council overlooks the business conducted at his neighbor’s house. Commissioners said they have no jurisdiction over the town and advised him to hire an attorney.
*County Highway Superintendent Jason Clodfelter said his department has started mowing and expects to begin paving in early June.
*Commissioners approved a payment of up to $5,100 to have a company update the county’s ordinance book.
*Commissioners approved amending the county’s budget to accept a $97,958 Community Development Block Grant.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana Bar Foundation have teamed up to bring the importance of civics for young Hoosiers to the forefront. The 40^th edition of the Here Is Your Indiana Government book – previously published exclusively by the Indiana Chamber – is now complimentary via an electronic guide and specifically designed to help teach to civics and government standards for grades four through 12.

The publication, which is still relevant for the general public and business community, is a resource to educate readers about the structure of Indiana government. This includes nearly 250 pages of content, including charts, photos, historical information and interesting Indiana facts.

“We’re excited to bring back this staple of our publications division. Increasing civic engagement for all Hoosiers is one of the goals of the Indiana Chamber’s new long-range visioning plan for the state called Indiana Prosperity 2035,” shares Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders. “For decades, Indiana students have been educated through this book and we’re pleased to make it even more impactful by meeting current educational standards regarding civics.”

The overhaul of the publication coincides with a new Indiana law now in effect that every middle school student must take one semester of civics education (in advance of the high school government requirement).

Indiana Bar Foundation President and CEO Charles Dunlap echoes Sinders’ enthusiasm about this collaboration.

“The Foundation is excited to be a part of the Here Is Your Indiana Government resource book,” he says. “This will be an outstanding tool for educators around the state to help learn and teach about state and local government. Hoosier students and educators are getting a top-notch resource to help better understand our government.”

The PDF of Here Is Your Indiana Government: 2024-2025 Edition can be downloaded at no cost at www.inbarfoundation.org/IndianaGovernmentBook. Hard copies of the publication will also be available for sale at www.indianachamber.com/here. (The book will be printed in March and pre-orders are currently being taken.)

The book is sponsored by Church Church Hittle and Antrim, Indiana Civics Coalition and the IU Center for Representative Government.

The timing of “Here Is…” also aligns with the deadline for young Hoosier students to take part in the first-ever Indiana Civics Bee. To do so, a student must submit a 500-word essay to a participating local chamber by February 19 with their ideas for improving their community and showing their enthusiasm for civics. The top three winners from each local event will advance to compete in the Indiana Civics Bee on August 23 at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. The program is hosted by the Indiana Chamber and Indiana Department of Education. The state finalist winner will have the opportunity to compete this fall in Washington D.C. at the National Civics Bee.

Congresswoman Erin Houchin has joined over 40 lawmakers in signing an Amicus brief in support of the state of Texas in its legal battle with the Biden Administration over immigration policies. The brief, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas —Austin Division, accuses the Federal Government of an "abdication of its duty" at the border.

Congresswoman Houchin stated, "I am proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting Texas' efforts to stop the chaos, secure the border, and protect our country. The Constitution is on our side, and so are the American people."

The legal battle stems from a law signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott that allows Texas law enforcement officers to arrest and charge illegal migrants. The Justice Department argues that this falls under Federal Authority, leading to a lawsuit filed against Texas.

"The Biden Administration's inability to contain the crisis at the border has made it necessary for border states like Texas to take action," Congresswoman Houchin added. "President Biden has willfully disregarded the laws of the land and has failed his constitutional duty to safeguard our national security."

The Amicus brief, led by Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas, accuses the Federal Government of facilitating "mass illegal entries" into the U.S. and interfering with states' efforts to secure their borders.

Congresswoman Houchin emphasized the importance of defending states' rights in the face of federal overreach. "Every state has the power to fend off the Biden Administration’s intentional illegal invasion," she stated. "I applaud Governor Abbott for holding the line against President Biden’s self-inflicted border crisis."

STATEHOUSE (Feb. 2, 2024) –On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch convened a special meeting of the Indiana Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force (IDD), which she chairs.

Lt. Gov. Crouch wanted IDD Task Force members and the public to hear directly from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) regarding its proposed cuts to the Attendant Care program, which provides funding to parents and legal guardians who care for their medically complex children.

The proposed cuts are an attempt by FSSA to address a $1 billion shortfall in its Medicaid budget, the agency announced in December 2023.

Lt. Gov. Crouch made the following statement today:

“I’m deeply disappointed with FSSA, but it is hard to be angry when your heart aches for the families and caregivers of the precious children they are attending to. It truly is heartbreaking. Since the meeting Monday, more and more families are contacting my office asking what can be done to reverse, or at least pause, these cuts. A group of families even came to the Statehouse Monday to meet with me and lobby their legislators. I tell all of them the same thing, ‘Contact your state legislators immediately!’ I am doing all I can to bring awareness to the severity and magnitude of the situation. So, I strongly encourage all Hoosiers to contact their legislators. Tell them these cuts need to be paused until we all get more answers, and we are confident these medically complex children continue getting the care they need. “

Concerned Hoosiers can visit https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators to find their legislators and contact information.

Lt. Gov. Crouch ended the special meeting Monday of the IDD Task Force with this quote:

"We’re going to be judged by how we care about the most vulnerable among us. Let’s be judged in a positive way and a positive manner."

Watch a recording of the IDD task force meeting here.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is defending Hoosiers’ Second Amendment rights in a legal opinionrequested by the Indiana State Police regarding the FBI’s misunderstanding of Indiana law.

“In Indiana, we believe expungement restores civil rights, including Hoosiers’ Second Amendment rights,” Attorney General Rokita said. “America values justice and liberty for all, and this includes reinstating the right to vote, hold public office, serve as a juror, and purchase a firearm.”

The FBI has denied the right of Hoosiers who have successfully had specific categories of felony convictions expunged in Indiana courts to purchase or possess firearms.

Each state has its own list of criminal records that can be expunged. What is eligible for expungement depends on the state – not the FBI.

The Legislature has spoken unequivocally as to what categories of felonies are eligible for expungement consideration, and Indiana’s expungement process does NOT apply to the following felonies:

· a sex or violent offender

· a person convicted of official misconduct

· a person convicted of any homicide offense

· a person convicted of any human and sex trafficking offense

· a person convicted of any sex crime offense

· a person convicted of two or more felony offenses that involved the unlawful use of a deadly weapon and were not committed as part of the same episode of criminal conduct

· a person convicted of a felony that resulted in the death of another person

These exceptions aim to keep people safe from violent felons obtaining weapons while also preserving the rights of those who have had more minor crimes erased or expunged from their criminal record.

“Our legislators are voted in by regular, everyday Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “They take on issues important to the public while ensuring they follow the U.S. and Indiana constitutions. Any limitations on owning or purchasing a firearm must be very narrow and clearly justified to avoid the violation to our Second Amendment rights.”

Guy Relford, an Indiana attorney, radio host, author, Certified Firearms Instructor, and founder of The2AProject.com also submitted feedback in support of Attorney General Rokita’s Opinion.

"Bureaucrats in Washington have repeatedly attempted to thwart the clear intention of the Indiana General Assembly to restore the right to possess a firearm of persons who have earned the opportunity to expunge their felony convictions,” Relford said. “In that process, I believe that the FBI and the federal Department of Justice have intentionally mischaracterized and misinterpreted our expungement statute so as to wrongfully deny the Second Amendment rights of Hoosiers. Official Opinion 2024-1, issued today by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, clarifies our expungement statute and demonstrates Indiana's continued fight to protect the Second Amendment rights of Indiana residents against the constant onslaught on those rights by the federal government.”

Attorney General Rokita's Office released the Gun Owners’ Bill of Rights in 2022 to ensure law-abiding Hoosiers fully understand their Second Amendment rights, including the right to purchase and own firearms in cases of expungement.

A copy of the Opinion is attached.

Opinion_Expungement and Firearm Rights_02 02 2024.pdf