Indiana legislators are considering bills that impact the quality of life for Johnson County residents. The prospect of becoming well-informed about legislation can be intimidating. Our goal is to research information so we can participate in developing effective laws.
Following legislation is an exciting journey that you can share with friends and reliable organizations. It’s important to look at the benefits and drawbacks of each bill. Listen to knowledgeable people who support or oppose the bill. Getting multiple perspectives helps us make informed decisions.
It’s fun, frustrating and empowering to be a partner in democracy. Please inform your legislators about your support or opposition to pending legislation. Remember that your legislator has a moral and legal obligation to work for the common good of all Indiana residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should we care?!
Our legislators create laws about issues that affect our lives – education, employment, healthcare, housing, transportation, how much we are taxed, how our tax money is spent. Effective bills are generally apolitical when both parties work for the common good of Indiana residents. We can make a difference by being an informed, active participant with others in the policymaking process.
What is the IGA?
Indiana government is divided into three branches – Legislative, Executive and Judicial. The Indiana General Assembly, of IGA, is the Legislative branch of government. The IGA is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate: – 100 State Representatives and 50 State Senators.
What do Legislators do?
Our legislators meet from January 3rd to April 30th. Representatives and Senators write bills, consider, amend and vote for or against the bills.
What steps does a bill go through to become a law?
A bill can go through many steps before it becomes a law.
Anyone can present their legislator with an idea for a bill. Legislators work with legal staff to write the bill. The bill gets a number and is assigned to a standing committee.
The committee holds hearings and decides to approve, amend or reject the bill. This is the most effective time to voice your opinion.
If the committee approves the bill, it goes to the originating chamber – House or Senate – for consideration. It is read, debated and can be amended. The House and the Senate must pass the bill before it goes to the Governor to veto or sign into law.
What can Indiana residents do about a bill before it becomes law?
As citizens, we have the right and obligation to tell our legislators what bills they should support or oppose before they become laws.
How do I find information about important bills?
First, decide what issues are important to you. Are you concerned about healthcare, housing, environmental matters or education? Here’s an example about finding information.
I web searched Does IGA 2023 have any childcare tax credit bills? That request led to Senate Bill 255 – Child and dependent care tax credit – IGA 2023 and a link to the IGA website and SB 255. A click on Bill Actions shows that SB 255 is in the Tax and Fiscal Policy committee. A click on Members shows who’s on the committee. Because of previous research, I know that a tax credit is better than a deduction because taxes are reduced dollar for dollar. My action plan would be to call the Committee Chair, Senator Holdman and the Ranking Member, Senator Baldwin. If I have time, I would call the other committee members to support SB 255 and pass it from committee to the Senate for further consideration.
When searching for information on a specific bill, be sure to type the bill’s name and number and Indiana 2023. For example: SB 255 Indiana 2023.
Some proposed legislation may be more controversial than SB 255. For example, House Bill 1036 – School board elections require candidates for school board offices to be nominated in the same manner as candidates for all other elected offices.
Many organizations and publications share information about pending legislation. Reliable sites include: IGA-2023 Session, Ballotpedia 2023 Indiana legislative session, LegiScan Indiana Legislature 2023, Hoosier Action 2023, Hoosier Environmental Council and Chalkbeat Indiana. Visit the League of Women Voters of Johnson County website to look at Indiana General Assembly 2023 Legislation. You’ll find links to the IGA committees and a list of Johnson County legislators.
What role does the LWV have?
The League of Women Voters’ mission is to Empower Voters and Defend Democracy. We educate ourselves and our community and we advocate for good government on all levels. All League-sponsored work is strictly nonpartisan. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all League activities. We provide facts and encourage people to be informed and actively participate in all levels of government.
The leadership team of the League of Women Voters of Johnson County share in writing this column for the Daily Journal. To learn more about LWVJC, visit lwvjcin.org.
