Beep Beep. Make Way for Real News
Knock on wood, but it appears we are going to get out of the first month of 2020 without a Snowmaggedon or Polar Vortex; potholes are at a minimum. So, what are the trending conversations of local citizens on social media? Coyotes. So, a PSA from us to you: Don’t leave your small animal unattended in the yard. Don’t leave food scraps out. And don’t call local authorities if you see a coyote … as long as it’s not chasing a roadrunner in an Acme van, you’re good. On to things that will actually impact your life and business with “3 for Thursday.”
“Short Session” is like “Jumbo Shrimp.” Despite the current session of the Indiana General Assembly being an abbreviated, non-budget year, more than 900 bills have been filed. Among them, Rep. Donna Schaibley’s HB 1005 . The Carmel representative’s proposal to (among a lengthy list of items – check the link for additional details) create a patient portal for healthcare cost estimates in advance of treatment passed the House Public Health Committee by a vote of 8-0 Wednesday and heads to the House for consideration. While a truck load of tobacco legislation sits in committee –  despite a new federal mandate that raised the purchase age from 18 to 21 -- HB 1006 actually passed through the house and went to the Senate yesterday … and it may be one of the first bills the Governor signs in the 2020 session. Meanwhile SB 246 is an impressive bipartisan effort that has moved through the Senate and now sits with the House. The bill requires a formal memo of understanding between school corporations (including charter and accredited non-public schools) and a certified/licensed community mental health center or provider to provide mental and behavioral health services to students before applying for a grant from the Indiana secured school fund. 
More History-Makin’ Women … and a Procedural Change. In the never-ending (albeit good-natured) saga of “anything you can do, I can do better,” Fishers joins the “all-women leadership team” for its City Council for the first time in history. Cecilia Coble was unanimously elected as city council president for 2020 while Selina Stoller was elected council vice president. Also, from the most recent Fishers City Council meeting, a change in procedure that will impact developers and the like. After two years of the Fishers Plan Commission getting a first review of proposals, Fishers City Council voted to return to previous practice of their members getting a first reading prior to sending to plan commission or public hearing.
It’s a Story, of a Lovely County. Who was busy growing lots of lovely things … (To the tune of the “Brady Bunch” theme … or not.) Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger delivered the State of the County address yesterday to a packed house in Noblesville, framing it as a story with a beginning, middle and end. In his words, “Hamilton County is constantly evolving.” Infrastructure investment led the way in 2019, with a number of projects coming to fruition and completion including west 146 th street, the Lowes Way Phase 1 Connection and numerous bridge improvements. ( Click here to see the county’s recently completed projects.) In addition, the long-time commissioner (elected in 1989, he is actually the longest-serving commissioner in the state) reports that the recent solar energy project at the Hamilton County Jail has saved $810,000 in 2019 and expected to save $25.6 million over the next 25 years.