NORTH VERNON — More than 50 residents attended the first Third House session conducted locally in about two years, and used the public forum to pose questions and express opinions to two state legislators who represent portions of Jennings County.
State Reps. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, and Randy Frye, R-Greensburg attended the Feb. 2 event at the Jennings County Public Library. State Sen. Chip Perfect, R-Lawrenceburg, was slated to participate but had to cancel.
Questions were asked about a variety of bills being considered by the Indiana General Assembly.
Julie Webster asked about the progress of House Bill 1211, which would ban dismemberment abortions in Indiana.
Both Frye and Lucas stated they were pro-life and determined to protect life of the newborn.
Frye explained the way the House of Representatives works and stated there were constitutional issues that must be considered in the process of passing a bill.
With a tone of determination, Lucas affirmed his belief that Indiana would never permit late-term and dismemberment abortions as other states have done.
In response to questions pertaining to environmental issues, Frye took the opportunity to compliment the City of North Vernon for converting to solar energy.
“I believe North Vernon is the only place to have converted to solar, and, frankly, I wish the whole state would consider it,” said Frye who is a member of the House’s Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee.
Frye also complimented North Vernon Mayor Mike Ochs for his efforts to convert the city to solar energy. Ochs was present in the crowd during the Third House session.
A member of the House’s Education Committee, Lucas presented several facts and statistics pertaining to the conditions of Indiana’s educational system.
Lucas said he was not satisfied with how government has dealt with education in Indiana.
“We can’t just keep throwing money at this. It’s been a case of the tail wagging the dog for the past 40 years,” he said.
While several people in the audience said they thought the problems in Indiana schools were the fault of parents or undisciplined children, Lucas said government needs to take a better look at what is wrong in the schools.
Other topics discussed included the legalization of marijuana, condition of roads, and the rehabilitation and sentencing of the state’s prisoners.
The forum lasted for nearly 90 minutes, and the representatives remained afterward to converse with people individually.
No decision has been made on when the next Third House session will be held in Jennings County.
