Campbell’s Catch Up: Monthly Update for August
Welcome to Campbell’s Catch Up, my new monthly newsletter, where I will provide legislative and community updates for you as your state representative for West Lafayette. Please reach out to my office at h26@iga.in.gov if you have any questions or concerns or thoughts on what you’d like to see in this newsletter.
Dear neighbor,
Each interim, lawmakers return to the Statehouse for interim study committees. These committees provide us an opportunity to learn more about issues facing Hoosiers and work to recommend solutions. Oftentimes, these recommendations go on to be pieces of legislation during the next legislative session.
I’m very excited to announce that I have been appointed to the following interim study committees:
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Government
Native American Indian Affairs Commission
Medicaid Advisory
Local Government and Public Notice task force
Throughout the interim, these committees will focus on ways to improve Indiana’s financial institutions and insurance, the logistics of government, support of our local governments, Medicaid, support of Native American affairs, and more
I look forward to working with my colleagues to prepare for the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly and continue advocating for Hoosiers throughout the state.
More broadband grants coming to Hoosiers
Gov. Eric Holcomb recently announced the fourth and final round of Indiana’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program is now accepting applications.
Access to reliable, high-speed internet is crucial for success in the professional and academic world. These grants will help ensure internet access is equitable throughout the state; including in rural, low-income and minority communities.
To apply for a Next Level Connections Broadband Grant and to get more information, click here.
International students from Purdue visit the Statehouse
On July 6, a group of International students from Purdue visited the Indiana Statehouse. From a wide range of countries across the globe, high school students learned more about state governments, citizen legislators and issues that are affecting the lives of Midwest Americans. As the representative for Purdue University’s campus, I had the pleasure of speaking with the group of students.
Seated in the House chamber, I gave the students a brief overview of how bills are passed and the branches of government. After we discussed the basics of government, we talked about my role as a legislator and the 2023 general session. The group was engaged and asked multiple questions about housing, abortion, the state budget, education, and more. It was enlightening to hear the perspectives of young people, especially those who live outside the United States.
It was an honor to speak with a group of students from Purdue, both as a Purdue graduate and state representative. We’ll continue to advocate for students, public education and higher education in the upcoming 2024 session. I look forward to more opportunities to connect with individuals outside of my constituency.
Maternal health outcomes in Indiana declining
Despite House Democrats calling on Indiana Republicans and the state to get serious about our dire maternal health outcomes for years, Indiana women today face more risks during pregnancy and childbirth than they did almost 30 years ago.
A recent study from the University of Washington found maternal mortality has more than doubled for both white and Hispanic women in Indiana since 1999. African American women are still the most vulnerable population during pregnancy, childbirth and the one-year postpartum.
It is imperative that we do all we can to ensure Hoosier women are safe and healthy throughout their pregnancies and afterward. While Indiana Republicans have stripped Hoosier women of their right to bodily autonomy, they have done little to protect their health outcomes during pregnancy.
Work from our caucus, including efforts to create the Doula Advisory Board and to provide grants to community programs working to enhance maternal health, are all possible solutions to the problem Indiana currently faces. We’ll continue to advocate for policies and programs that improve health outcomes for pregnant Hoosiers.
Plans for public safety center in West Lafayette
During their July 19 meeting, the West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission announced plans to build a new public safety center. The facility will be a shared space between the nearby police police department and the projected location of a new Fire Station. Due to the rapid growth of West Lafayette, the city hopes that this new facility will expand the presence of public safety personnel. The goal of the facility is to help police, firefighters, paramedics and more better serve the community.
Located on Navajo Street, the new center will be constructed at the previous site of the West Lafayette City Hall. The old hall flooded in 2014 and was finally demolished in 2016 due to a mold infestation. While the plans for the center are still in their early stages, city leadership hopes to begin construction in the spring of 2024.
With the city of West Lafayette rapidly growing, it’s important that people feel safe and supported. This potential new center will expand the outreach of safety personnel and ensure the public receives the care, support and protection they need. I’m thankful that the city is developing its support systems as the population in my district continues to expand.
Indianapolis Hosting National conference for legislators
From August 14- 16, the city of Indianapolis is hosting the National Conference of State Legislators. The NCSL is the largest bipartisan gathering of legislators and legislative staff in the United States. This is a unique opportunity for Indiana legislators to meet with like-minded individuals and exchange ideas with elected officials from across the nation.
With more than 80 programming sessions available, legislators will be able to vastly expand their policy expertise. There will be in-depth policy discussions, keynote speakers and meetings with hundreds of industry partners. Most importantly, legislators will hear perspectives from national thought leaders and explore tangible solutions to states’ most pressing issues.
As a legislator, I am excited to attend so I can continue to develop my policy skills to serve my community. It’s an honor for Indianapolis to host this conference which will have such a large impact on our city, state and our country.
Applications for Statehouse Internship now open
The Indiana Statehouse is now accepting applications for internship opportunities through Oct. 31. Throughout the legislative session, college students have an opportunity to work with elected officials and their staff. The partisan internship has opportunities for legislative and constituent services, policy analysis, communications, fiscal analysis and graphic design. For more information on the internship and to apply, click here.
On My Way to Pre-K
Applications for the On My Way Pre-K program for the 2023-24 school year are now open. This is an excellent opportunity for 4-year-olds in low-income households to receive a prekindergarten education through Indiana's only state-sponsored pre-k program.
Children who attend pre-k are more likely to have academic success throughout their lives and are more likely to go to college. Last year, over 6,200 children enrolled in the program, opening doors that will lead them to a lifetime of achievement.
Children are eligible for this program if they:
will be 4 years old by Aug. 1, 2023
will begin kindergarten in the 2024-25 school year
live in a household with an income below 127% of the federal poverty level
have parents/guardians who are working, attending job training or educational programs or looking for employment, or
meet other specified requirements
To learn more about the program and to apply, click here. Individual families, schools and Indiana as a whole benefits when more children have access to a pre-k education, and I highly recommend eligible families to apply for this important and transformative program.
Thank you for your updates. I appreciate the straight-forward information without (or minimal) rhetoric and sensationalism that is far too common these days in politics.