STATEHOUSE (Aug. 13, 2010) – Best Buddies of Indiana recently presented State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) with the Champion of Friendship award in recognition of his efforts to improve the independence and social integration of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

“I strongly believe in giving a voice to those who run the risk of being mistreated just because they may be seen by some as being different,” Alting said. “While I appreciate this recognition, the real reward comes from helping people. I want to take this opportunity to encourage all Hoosiers to befriend, employ and support individuals with IDD.”

Best Buddies of Indiana is the local chapter of Best Buddies International, Inc. Founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, Best Buddies International, Inc. is a non-profit organization aiming to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for socialization and employment. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 states, with accredited international programs on six continents and additional country programs under active development.

Shriver presented the award to Alting at the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference at Indiana University.

“It was an honor to present Senator Alting with the 2010 Champion of Friendship award on behalf of Best Buddies Indiana,” Shriver said. “Senator Alting has been a tremendous supporter of Best Buddies in Indiana and he has worked diligently to ensure our programs continue to thrive.  He is a terrific asset to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities around the state.”

According to Sarah Baldini, the state director for Best Buddies of Indiana, the Champion of Friendship award is presented to those who have championed the Best Buddies cause and were instrumental in helping secure state funding to support inclusion programs for Hoosiers with IDD in Indiana.

Alting said funding from the state helps support six important Best Buddies programs:

• Best Buddies Citizens matches people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with individuals in the corporate and civic communities;
• Best Buddies Jobs continues the integration of people with intellectual disabilities into the community through supported employment;
• Best Buddies Colleges pairs people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with college students;
• Best Buddies High Schools pairs students with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with high school students;
• Best Buddies Middle Schools pairs students with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships; and
• E-Buddies is an e-mail pen pal program partnering people with an intellectual disability ages 10 and up with peer volunteers from across the United States and around the globe.

For more information about Best Buddies of Indiana, Alting suggested a visit to www.bestbuddiesindiana.org.

Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.

STATEHOUSE (July 27, 2010) – Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) today appointed State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) as a member of the Interim Study Committee on Gaming.

Long also tapped Alting to serve as a member of the Commission on Childhood Poverty, ISTEP Program Citizens’ Review Committee, Commission on Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, Rail Corridor Safety Committee, Tourism Council, Indiana Veterans’ Home Advisory Committee and the Committee on Educational Attitudes, Motivation and Involvement.

During summer and fall months when the legislature is not in session full time, lawmakers utilize bipartisan study committees and commissions to conduct in-depth research into complicated, complex issues facing Hoosiers. Often their work results in solutions and legislation that might otherwise go unaccomplished during the fast pace of the winter- and springtime legislative session, Long said. 

Long said the Interim Study Committee on Gaming will study the new requirements for Hoosier-owned, sired and bred horses participating in Indiana races. Committee members will also review the distribution of money between horse owners and race tracks.

“Senator Alting has worked diligently on these and similar issues in the past and undoubtedly he will continue with that same commitment on these study committees and commissions,” Long said. “Hoosiers from all of our districts will benefit from Senator Alting’s work.”

Alting said he will also closely watch developments of other key study committees, review their recommendations and seek public input before the Indiana General Assembly reconvenes in January of 2011:

• Interim Study Committee on Economic Development: Will study economic development tools and evaluate how Indiana’s tax laws can encourage business investment and job creation. Members will also review best practices in state and local economic development policies and study the use and effectiveness of tax credits and deductions.
• Interim Study Committee on the School Funding Formula: Will conduct a comprehensive review of how the state distributes education dollars to rural, suburban and urban school corporations. Members will examine funding to address students living in poverty, needing special education and lacking English-speaking skills.
• Health Finance Commission: Will evaluate impacts of Obamacare on Indiana. Members will also study the prevalence of brain injuries and the availability and costs of brain injury treatment.
• Unemployment Insurance Oversight Committee: Will study the costs of linking unemployment benefits to average weekly pay and cost of living increases, as well as adjusting the wage base on which employers must pay unemployment insurance premiums.
• Census Data Advisory Committee: Will research ways to ensure the state’s redistricting process is fair and accurate for the 2011 redistricting process and explore the best practices of other states, including the option of establishing an independent commission to draw district boundaries in the future.
• Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee: Will examine if methamphetamine ingredients ephedrine and pseudoephedrine should be classified as controlled substances, the effectiveness of tracking the sales of these substances and the cost of cleaning contaminated properties where methamphetamines were manufactured. Lawmakers will review policies regarding “sexting” – sending sexually suggestive material over the Internet, cellular phones and other devices by minors – and study ways to reduce prison costs, stop repeat offenders and improve public safety.
• Interim Study Committee on Driver Education: Will review instructional standards of Internet-based and classroom programs and compare moving-violation and crash statistics among teen drivers from both learning models.

More information about committee topics, schedules and agendas will be available online at www.in.gov/legislative/interim.

Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.

STATEHOUSE (June 21, 2010) – Soon, Hoosiers can expect to hear a steady barrage of crackles, pops and booms as Fourth of July celebrations near.

State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) said while the nation’s birthday is a time to enjoy family, friends and fireworks, safety and responsibility shouldn’t be left out.

“Fireworks can be captivating, but parents and children need to be knowledgeable of firework safety, what types of fireworks are legal and when it is appropriate to set them off,” Alting said. “It’s also important to understand state laws and your community’s ordinances that regulate the use of fireworks.”

Last year, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reported 116 firework-related injuries and more than half of those involved children and adolescents. Firecrackers, rockets and sparklers caused more than half of the injuries.

Alting said to help Hoosiers use fireworks and avoid injury, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the ISDH offer answers to frequently asked questions:

How can I use fireworks more safely?

• Never let young children handle, play with or light any fireworks – use glow sticks as a safer alternative;
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children;
• Use a clear, open area and keep your audience a safe distance from the shooting site;
• Do not alter any fireworks device or attempt to make your own fireworks;
• Only light one firework item at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework; and
• Have a fire extinguisher, water hose or bucket of water nearby.

What firework laws should I be aware of?

• During the five days before and five days after July 4, fireworks can be set off between 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset and between 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4;
• Check with local officials or monitor local media about when you can discharge fireworks, as local ordinances may further restrict usage;
• Only individuals 18 years of age or older may legally purchase fireworks;
• An adult must be present with those under 18 years of age who possess or use fireworks;
• Legal fireworks will be clearly marked with a 1.4G consumer firework label; and
• Fireworks may be discharged only on your property, the property of someone who has granted permission or at designated discharge locations.

Alting said constituents can visit www.in.gov/dhs/3375.htm for more information on firework safety and regulations.

Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.

STATEHOUSE (May 19, 2010) - State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) is ranked among the state’s most pro-job lawmakers, according to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber rankings listed Alting with the fourth highest percentage in the 50-member Senate for his employer-friendly voting record. The statewide organization credited the senator for supporting job growth and economic development in the state.

Votes on at least 40 key bills ranging from unemployment insurance and education to local government, transportation and the environment determined the scores. Alting supported in committee and on the Senate floor several new laws advocated by the Indiana Chamber.

Alting was among legislators who pushed for the delay of $400 million in new unemployment insurance premiums in 2010. He said avoiding these increases could help Hoosier employers retain or add workers.

Alting and other lawmakers also passed initiatives to help Hoosiers recover from the national recession:

• New Employer Tax Credits will be offered to businesses relocating or incorporating in Indiana. Qualified businesses must hire 10 or more full-time employees, not including owners;
• Small Business Tax Credits will be expanded to make small employers with fewer than 35 workers eligible for Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) credits;
• Small Business Ombudsman will be an advocate for small employers with state agencies, helping navigate regulations, streamline paperwork and coordinate due dates. Also, the ombudsman will monitor outdated, ineffective and overly burdensome reporting requests and red tape; and
• H.I.R.E. (Helping Indiana Re-start Employment) initiative will offer tax incentives to employers who hire and train unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers.

Another pro-business law Alting helped craft and was cited by the organization allows schools to claim up to 5 percent of funding normally dedicated to capital projects and use it for instructional purposes. Schools agreeing to pay freezes for staff, excluding those for years of experience and new degrees, can use up to 10 percent.

Alting said by allowing access to these already existing resources, money will be available to help schools prevent teacher layoffs and preserve instructional programs without raising new taxes to do so.

Although lawmakers made progress in 2010 toward moving the state forward, Alting said much work remains to help maintain jobs and attract new investments.

“Job creation, economic development and funding education continue to be top priorities for the Indiana Senate and me,” Alting said. “Next session, I will continue to help protect, maintain and attract high-paying jobs in Indiana in order to make our state a better place to live and raise a family.”

Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.

STATEHOUSE (May 17, 2010) - State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) says by completing and mailing back one simple form included in local property tax statements, eligible property owners will receive valuable tax credits while helping county governments better monitor homestead filings and prevent fraud.

“Currently, pink forms are included in property tax statements being mailed to Hoosiers,” Alting said.  “I encourage those who haven’t already done so to take the time to complete the form and mail it back to their local auditor’s office. This will help provide a cost savings to eligible property taxpayers while preventing fraud and ensuring fairness in the system.”

Alting said by completing and returning the pink forms, most Hoosier property taxpayers will be granted deductions reducing their taxable assessed value of homesteads by up to 60 percent or $45,000, whichever is less.

“Those who do not return the form could lose their homestead deductions,” Alting said.
He said information included on the completed forms will be used to help prevent fraud, which ultimately costs law-abiding property owners.

“Unfortunately, in previous years some people have claimed homestead deductions they were not entitled to receive,” Alting said. “This new process will help update the database and weed out those who may try to take unfair advantage of the system.”

As part of the new form, property owners provide the last five digits of their Social Security and drivers’ license numbers.

“This information will only be used within a secure homestead database,” Alting said.

Although taxpayers may see this form again throughout the next few years, Alting said they only need to fill it out once.

“State law requires all homestead verification forms to be filed no later than Jan. 1, 2013, but I hope property owners will complete this form before then,” Alting said.

For more information on the homestead verification form, please visit www.in.gov/dlgf.

Sen. Alting represents Senate District 22, which includes a portion of Tippecanoe County.