THE RAATZ ROUNDUP
Submitted for use on June 28, 2023
Word Count: 393
The Indiana General Assembly passed a total of 252 laws this year, and many of them go into effect on July 1. I supported the following policies and look forward to seeing their positive impact on our communities.
Reinventing the High School Experience
Hoosier students must be prepared for current and future jobs even before graduation, which is why I worked on House Enrolled Act 1002 to expand Indiana's work-based learning opportunities. HEA 1002 creates Career Scholarship Accounts for students and incentivizes local partnerships between schools and career centers.
In recognition of minimal career counseling in the K-12 education space, HEA 1002 also makes career coaching grants available to various providers helping students consider prospective occupations and navigate future educational requirements.
Providing Tax Relief
Many Hoosiers are experiencing financial pressure due to rising inflation. The new state budget speeds up planned income-tax cuts, dropping Indiana's tax rate to 2.9% by 2027 and potentially saving residents over $100 million next year and over $1 billion in the next five years. Senate Enrolled Act 3 also establishes a State and Local Tax Review Task Force to study all aspects of Indiana's tax system, including property taxes, starting this summer.
Teaching the Science of Reading
Nearly one in five Hoosier third graders were not reading at their grade level during the 2021-22 school year. I sponsored House Enrolled Act 1558 to accelerate initiatives to define and implement Science of Reading standards in Indiana classrooms. At least 54 Indiana schools already practice Science of Reading instruction, which is a research-based strategy focused on phonetic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
Flood Plain Management
Many Senate District 27 residents have expressed mounting frustration with current floodplain mapping laws. These frustrations stem from their struggle to develop or sell their land since state mapping data identifies it as a floodplain, even if federal mapping data does not. I authored Senate Enrolled Act 242 to help landowners choose whether they want a local floodplain administrator to use state floodplain mapping or an engineering study when making permit determinations.
I'm hopeful these new laws will benefit Hoosiers and continue to make Indiana a greater place to live, work and raise a family.
To view other legislation going into effect, visit iga.in.gov.
If you have any questions or concerns on these or other topics, feel free to contact me at Senator.Raatz@iga.in.gov or 317-233-0930.
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State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27, which includes
Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
