New Region senator sworn-in on first day of Indiana legislative session

On Monday, state Sen. Dave Vinzant, D-Hobart, placed his hand on the Bible and swore his oath of office in front of Chief Justice Loretta Rush, a onetime Munster resident, and his 49 new colleagues in the Indiana Senate.

Vinzant, a former four-term Hobart city councilman, was chosen last week by Democratic Party leaders in Senate District 3 to complete the 11-months remaining in the Senate term of now-Gary Mayor Eddie Melton.

The new state lawmaker said after the chamber adjourned for the day that he was pleased to change his title from "senator-elect" to "senator," and proclaimed he's ready to get to work at the Statehouse for his constituents in Gary, Hobart, Lake Station, Merrillville and New Chicago.

"I've found my own cubicle and I'm all set," Vinzant said. "I'm going to be filing bills before the afternoon is over, or (Tuesday) morning at the latest."

"The staff down here is tremendous, the other senators are just phenomenally welcoming from both sides of the aisle, and it's very good."

Vinzant's swearing-in was the most significant action taken by the Republican-controlled Senate Monday.

Most of the day's brief session was focused on introducing proposals for new state laws and assigning them for committee review, followed by getting lawmakers organized to attend the governor's "State of the State" address set for 6 p.m. Region time Tuesday.

Across the rotunda, the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House, in between filling legislation, pulled reporters aside to reveal their policy goals for the 9-week session that must adjourn for the year no later than March 14.

House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, delivered on his pledge of a limited agenda for the short session. House Republicans only are prioritizing four major proposals, instead of the 10 or more that usually comprise the caucus' main legislative package.

They are: Permitting state college funding grants to be used for job training programs (House Bill 1001), opposing anti-semitism on college campuses (House Bill 1002), reorganizing administrative law proceedings (House Bill 1003), and providing a one-time extra monthly check to retired public employees after lawmakers last year omitted the customary "13th check" (House Bill 1004).

"We're expecting a fast and productive session ahead, and we'll keep our attention on supporting Hoosier taxpayers and students," Huston said.

House Democrats, on the other hand, are pushing a more robust agenda focused on freedom and opportunity for all Hoosiers, including a $15 minimum wage, tax reductions for homeowners and renters, tax credits for child care costs, universal pre-kindergarten, expanded Medicaid coverage for low-income Hoosiers and eligible senior citizens, and initiatives to create more trade union jobs.

Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, also urged the House to approve a constitutional amendment to permit Hoosiers, like citizens elsewhere, to revise the Indiana Constitution by voter initiative, so the Hoosier State isn't left behind when it comes to protecting abortion access or legalizing marijuana.

"From the steel mills of the Region to the rolling hills of southern Indiana, there is one thing I know to be true: Our Hoosiers have real problems that demand real solutions," GiaQuinta said.

"Let’s make it our mission in this session to free the hopes and dreams, the imagination and drive of all Hoosiers through thoughtful, sensible legislation. Let’s unleash the potential of the people we were elected to serve. Let’s embrace the true meaning of the word free by investing in our people — freeing them to succeed. The return on investment will strengthen Indiana for decades to come."

Legislators in both parties only have a few weeks to garner support for their proposals since measures filed in the House must advance to the Senate, and vice versa, by the beginning of February, or they're likely dead for the year.