The Third House Session, hosted by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, focused on various topics this morning including the state’s budget, common wage law, education and ethics reform. The meeting was held in Center Lake Pavilion, Warsaw.

Senator Ryan Mishler and Representative Curt Nisly were the only two area legislators able to attend and fielded questions and heard comments.

Mishler noted legislators will begin coming in on weekends to work on the budget. “We were (a month ago) $89 million behind the forecast,” he noted adding the April forecast will soon be released, a luxury the Senate has. He stated that over 50 percent of the budget is for kindergarten through 12 funding. Relating to that matter he spoke on school funding. He stated there are 116 schools in the negative, but 52 of those are due to loosing students. Legislators are looking at how to help the 64 schools in the negative due to other funding issues without hurting those school through proposals by the House. The deadline for the budget is April 9.

Mishler also spoke on the regional cities initiative. He stated he is supportive of the initiative which would put St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall counties in a region for economic development. The initiative would allow these regions to raise private funds, use local funds with a state match.

Nisly referred to the house budget which increased the budget by a half billion with over 50 percent going towards education. “Our goal is to have an honest, balanced budget and maintain our credit rating.” In passing, he stated he co-sponsored a bill relating to short barrel shotguns, which passed out of the house. This bill relates to the length of a short barrel shotgun.

During the question period, Dan Brown spoke of his concern on repealing the common construction wage law, noting if passed, the long-term consequences need to be considered.

Mishler stated the repeal will be heard Tuesday and he serves on the committee to hear the bill. “I’m learning through folks I’ve talked with,” he said noting he has spoken to paving and building construction businesses who each have different theories. “There’s ways to change the bill, but I don’t know what the caucus will decide.” It was noted Sen. Carlin Yoder had wanted the bill to go to a study committee, however, last year two minority leaders voted against it which killed the bill.

Nisly stated he voted against the repeal after talking with local contractors. He noted the process of awarding bids to the lowest bidder was a factor and that there are other factors that need to be looked at other than wages.

Mention was also made to the annexation bill, SB 330, which Mishler stated he voted against, adding there are issues that need to be addressed, without penalizing those towns and cities who do things in good faith. He noted there are times cities, such as Warsaw and Mishawaka, have their hands tied. Nisly stated the bill died in the House.

Brief conversations were also held regarding ethics reform. Mishler noted the Senate’s rules are more stringent than the House rules and neither legislators know if the reform will solve any problems or not.

Tax-Free Bullion, SB 500 and SB 566 were also noted briefly. Both bills are still in committees.

The next Third House Session will be Thursday, May 7.