ANDERSON, Ind. —
Democratic lawmakers from Madison County on Wednesday laid out education proposals they say would raise money for schools, put more students on track for college and reduce bullying.
State Sen. Tim Lanane of Anderson and Reps. Terri Austin of Anderson and Scott Reske of Pendleton outlined the proposals they will push in the 2011 session of the Indiana General Assembly. They were at Anderson High School on Wednesday, the second day of campaign stops around the county to discuss the proposals.
Atop the list is a proposal to give tax breaks to people and corporations that make donations to public school systems and the foundations that support them. Lanane said such a law would benefit school systems such as Anderson, Elwood and South Madison that have been operating with deficits due to shortfalls in state funding.
“Funding for this initiative can come from the state’s unclaimed property funds that currently go to the state’s general fund for operations,” Lanane said. He said the credit is now available for donations to colleges, though the credit is lower. “We think it ought to be amended to include public schools and foundations.”
Austin said the lawmakers also are proposing “Project Jump Start,” which would expand dual-credit courses offered to high school juniors and seniors through state colleges and reduce their costs, which average about $300 to $400 plus books and materials.
“It helps kids still in high school find out what level of college work they need to be ready for,” Austin said. The proposal also would make requirements for academic honors diplomas accessible.
“It’s unfair to working families and students to deny them the opportunity to earn this distinguished recognition simply because they are unable to afford the cost,” according to the legislators’ statement.
Reske said one in three junior high and high school students report being a victim of bullying, prompting a proposal to increase reporting of such incidents to the Department of Education. “It sends a message that we all need to be serious about it,” Reske said.
The lawmakers face election challenges in the fall.
Lanane is opposed by Republican Brian S. Jacobs. Austin faces a challenge from Republican Kim Builta and Libertarian Greg Noland. Reske will run against Republican Kyle J. Hupfer and Libertarian Robert Jozwiak.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
State News
Democratic lawmakers pitch education initiatives
- State News
-
-
State takeover of failing schools meets resistance
A decade after Indiana legislators gave the state the power to take over chronically failing schools, the first implementation of the law is meeting with resistance, skepticism, and questions about its costs.
-
Howard County hospital acquisition clears another hurdle
The planned acquisition of Howard County Regional Health System by the Indianapolis-based Community Health Network cleared another hurdle Tuesday, when the Indiana Finance Authority OK’d the transfer of the Howard County hospital’s debt obligations to Community Health.
-
Mall-based schools offer second chance for at-risk students
Jayne Carter spends her mornings at a shopping mall earning her high school degree. It may sound like a teenager’s dream, but for Carter, 18, and her classmates, it’s a second chance.
-
Maureen Hayden: Why did 3 million Hoosiers choose not to vote?
If you voted in last Tuesday’s primary, raise your hand. Congratulations. You’re part of the small minority of Hoosiers who exercised a right that citizens around the world covet deeply and for which many still risk their lives. For those of you with your hands down, here’s a question: Where were you?
-
Early intervention efforts try to prevent future dropouts
West Goshen Elementary has become a national model for a teaching-excellence program funded by public and private sources, the Teacher Advancement Program, or TAP.
-
Making lemonade out of Lemons
Press Pass
-
Lugar, Mourdock in final push for voters
Inside his campaign headquarters in Indianapolis, there’s a photo of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar shaking hands with former U.S. Secretary Condoleeza Rice, one of the many Republican Party heavyweights who’ve endorsed his re-election.
-
Maureen Hayden: Lugar running his toughest race Tuesday
You may think 80 is old, but U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, who hit that mile marker in April, has this message for people who think he needs to retire: I can still run.
-
Early voting, including absentee ballots, declines from 2008
Indiana’s hotly contested Republican Senate primary race has generated more than $12 million in campaign spending, including a record-topping $4 million in outside dollars.
-
Making Medora movie
Press Pass
- More State News Headlines
-
State takeover of failing schools meets resistance
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
