Already Thinking About November …
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In the waning glow of the neighbors’ fireworks’ red glare (still going, night after night) and the MLB’s All-Star break, we tip our hats to the official halfway mark of summer. We didn’t get here without incident … the most recent social media blow out came at the expense of those who had the audacity to set up their chairs a few days prior to the July 4 CarmelFest parade. City Councilor Jeff Worrell is
considering a city ordinance
that limits “seat saving” to 48 hours prior to an event as well as prohibiting stakes and rope to mark off areas. No truth to the rumor ordinance language will also include, “This is why we can’t have nice things.” In other news…
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Coming to a Voting Booth Near You
. During last legislative session, school safety took a spotlight with a number of bills attempting to swim upstream to passage. What did not make it (which OneZone believed unfortunate) was funding for expanded mental health services for at-risk students. What did make it: the green flag for schools to offer up a referendum to fund school safety. Last night, Carmel Clay Schools became the first to approve putting a referendum on November’s ballot that would fund in-school mental health options, more school resource officers, and more social workers. The proposed price tag: $40 million over eight years. Meanwhile,
school safety grant applications
will be opened up soon by the state for those school systems seeking funding for safety measures. In other education news, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s “Next Level Teacher Compensation Commission” begins a series of input sessions as part of his effort to make teacher pay competitive with surrounding states. The commission will deliver the recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly prior to the 2021 legislative session. Members of the commission and advisory council will seek ideas and solutions, and listen to issues and concerns. On Monday, August 19 in Indianapolis (and as well as additional dates in Elkhart and Evansville) OR skip the drive and just share input
online
.
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A Tale of Three Races
. While the mayoral candidates in Noblesville, Fishers and Carmel will have zero competition in November, only Westfield’s Mayor Andy Cook will face competition in November from Libertarian Donald Rainwater. To quote the
Indianapolis Business Journal’s editorial
this week: “Hamilton County Republicans might look at the matchups, or lack thereof, in this fall’s mayoral contests as a dream come true. We see it as bad for democracy.” However, there’s going to be NO lack of competition in a couple of 2020 races. Candidates are already lining up for the 2020 Indiana Governor’s race, including former Indiana health commissioner Woody Myers throwing his hat into what will undoubtedly be a crowded ring as a Democratic contender. Governor Eric Holcomb is expected to announce his bid for re-election this weekend. And, it’s official: Democrat Christina Hale is running for Indiana’s 5
th
Congressional seat that is being vacated by Susan Brooks. So far, she is the only candidate to formally announce her intentions for the seat, but that won’t last long. Stay tuned.
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We’re Okay with THIS Foray into Home Rule Boundaries
. Despite support by numerous Hoosier health, business and chamber organizations (including OneZone), the state legislature has failed miserably in any Tobacco Reform legislation. Recently, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that key components of his
Tobacco to 21 Act
passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee as part of the Lower Health Care Costs Act. The
Tobacco to 21 Act
would prohibit the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21. According to Young, “More must be done at the federal level to prevent future smokers from starting, and experts consistently recommend raising the tobacco age as a top priority to protect our kids and reduce health care costs.” To hear more from Sen. Young, check out this
“walk and talk” video
from the halls of the U.S. Senate.
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