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Local, state, and federal highlights in this week's memo include:
- Indiana Senator Aaron Freeman as New Chair of Courts Committee
- Indiana Hospitals Warn of Increased Healthcare Costs
- Indiana Department of Workforce Receives $10.8M Grant
- County Judge Hears Oral Arguments on Indiana’s Abortion Ban
- Indiana State Auditor’s Office Releases New Guidance on Taxpayer Refunds
- No Inflation Relief in Sight
- Social Security Administration Announces Increase in Benefits
- Important Dates
Indiana Senator Aaron Freeman as New Chair of Courts Committee
What’s new: In a press release last week, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) announced he has appointed State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) to serve as the next chair of the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law.
Why it matters: The Senate's corrections committee deals primarily with issues pertaining to the criminal justice system, criminal penalties and rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
What they’re saying:
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“Sen. Freeman is well qualified to serve as the next chair of the Senate corrections committee given his broad and practical experience working in a variety of roles throughout Indiana's criminal justice system," Bray said. "Aaron is passionate about making sure our laws are fair for both victims of crimes and those accused, and I'm confident he will serve Hoosiers well as he takes on this important role."
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"Issues that come before the corrections committee can be complex and wide-reaching, so it's important our committee has robust discussions as we sift through issues pertaining to criminal behaviors, deterrence and rehabilitation," Freeman said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to chair this committee and pledge that we will always endeavor to put Hoosiers first as we continue to improve our justice system so it works well for all those affected by it." (Indiana Senate Republicans)
Indiana Hospitals Warn of Increased Healthcare Costs
What’s new: Indiana hospitals released a statement last week warning of increasing healthcare costs for providers.
By the numbers: A new study released by the Hospital Association show costs are up for hospital systems across the board but especially in their staff. In the survey, 70% of hospitals said travel nurse expenses had increased more than 20% since the first quarter of 2021 and more than half of hospitals have increased their salaries and benefits by 15% or more. An additional third of hospitals said labor costs had increased nearly 30%.
What they’re saying: “There are very important Medicare funding programs that expire at the end of this year. (In) some of our rural hospitals, some of our urban safety net hospitals, these programs are kind of make-or-break,” Brian Tabor, the president of the Indiana Hospital Association, said. “I really do fear for the future of some of those hospitals and communities; I don’t want to see more facilities closed.”
Why it matters: Indiana’s healthcare industry, including hospitals and insurers, have been under fire from leaders of the Indiana General Assembly for quite some time. Members from the House and Senate leadership team published a letter earlier this year calling on stakeholders to figure out a way to lower prices or there may be legislation that compels them to do so during the 2023 session. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana Department of Workforce Receives $10.8M Grant
What’s new: Last week, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced that they have received a $10.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor aimed to connect employers with dislocated Hoosier workers.
The details: The money comes from the Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy, and Training Disaster Recovery (QUEST) grant program. The program targets high-quality jobs in infrastructure, environment and climate, the care economy, and other growing sectors.
What they’re saying: "The demand for a skilled and talented workforce continues to be high, and we have an opportunity to work with Indiana employers, understand their workforce needs and connect them with the employees they desire," said DWD Commissioner David J. Adams in a news release.
What’s next: DWD will utilize the funding to strategically partner with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and others to develop a comprehensive outreach strategy with employers to target populations disproportionately impacted by the economic inequities exacerbated by the pandemic. (WRTV)
County Judge Hears Oral Arguments on Indiana's Abortion Ban
What’s new: Last Friday, oral arguments were heard by a Marion County judge about whether Indiana’s new abortion restrictions violate the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
The details: The ACLU of Indiana argued in court on Friday that the standing injunction shouldn’t stop the judge from halting the law in the RFRA case. Lawyers for the state maintained that an injunction in this case is “unnecessary,” and that a judge’s order would only have “symbolic significance.”
Why it matters: The new abortion ban is on hold until at least January after a judge in Owen County last month issued a temporary injunction in a separate ACLU lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of the law based on liberty and privacy protections. Under that injunction, the state’s previous abortion law stands — allowing abortions up to 20 weeks — while the matter continues to play out in court.
What’s next: Judge Heather Welch, who is presiding over the case, said she expects to issue an order by the end of November, if not sooner. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana State Auditor's Office Releases New Guidance on Taxpayer Refunds
What’s new: Indiana has released updated guidance regarding the Indiana Automatic Taxpayer Refund due to the Auditor of the State’s Office receiving a high volume of inquiries about refund checks that were made out people who have since died.
- The Indiana Department of Revenue said it’s possible those individuals may have been eligible for a $125 or $200 payment before they died, with the payments being issued by check or direct deposit.
What they’re saying: The Auditor’s office released a statement saying “Widows and/or executors of the estate may be able to cash or deposit the check without taking additional steps, depending on your financial institution. If your institution does not allow you to cash or deposit the check, refer to the Distributee’s Affidavit for Disposition of Estates SF #49377 from the Auditor of State’s office for additional guidance. If using this form, please note that it must be notarized and you will need to include a copy of the death certificate (original death certificates will not be returned). The form can take up to six weeks to process before the Auditor of State will reissue a new check.”
What’s next: The state is asking people who haven’t yet received their money to wait until Nov. 1 to check on their payment status. (Fox59)
No Inflation Relief in Sight
What’s new: A new report shows that consumer prices continued to soar in September, while the measure that strips out food and energy raced ahead as price pressure remains hot throughout the economy, the Labor Department said on Thursday.
Details: Price increases for shelter, food and medical care were the biggest contributors to the increase in the overall inflation index.
- The continued drop in gasoline prices only partly offset that increase. Indexes for natural gas and electricity continued to rise.
- The indexes for used cars and trucks and apparel prices were among the few that declined last month.
Why it matters: The report puts pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep raising interest rates swiftly in an attempt to slow price increases. The move risks tipping the economy into a recession. (Axios)
Social Security Administration Announces Increase in Benefits
What’s new: Last week, the Social Security Administration announced an 8.7% increase in benefits starting in 2023 after the September inflation report showed consumer prices continued to rise at a rapid pace.
Why it matters: This is the biggest jump in benefits since 1981 and will come out to an average of an additional $140 per month starting in January, the SSA said Thursday.
The big picture: The Social Security Administration uses a formula involving the consumer price index to calculate the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The adjustments are meant to ensure that monthly social security checks aren’t consumed by inflation.
- September's consumer price index data showed that consumer prices rose 0.4% — twice as quickly as the 0.2% economists expected.
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The roughly 70 million Social Security recipients will receive COLA notices in December, the SSA said. (Axios)
Important Dates
- Tuesday, October 18th at 10am - Code Revision Commission
- Wednesday, October 19th at 10am - 21st Century Energy Policy Development Task Force
- Thursday, October 20th at 10am - Housing Task Force
- Thursday, October 20th at 12pm - Interim Study Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
- Thursday, October 20th at 12pm - Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services
- Monday, October 24th at 1pm - Interim Study Committee on Education
- Monday, October 24th - Bill pre-filing opens
- Thursday, October 27th at 10am - Housing Task Force
- Tuesday, November 22nd at 1:30pm - Organization Day
- Friday, December 9th - LSA bill request deadline
- Monday, January 9th - 2023 Legislative Session Reconvenes
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