News

INFB discusses priorities as the legislative session reaches halfway point

The Indiana legislative session has reached the halfway point and Indiana Farm Bureau continues to monitor progress on priorities.

Justin Schneider, director of state government relations, says the Indiana general assembly has supported reducing extraterritorial authority.

“We have a problem with cities and towns having authority to regulate outside of their borders,” He says. “We thought it was time to address it and we’re pleased the general assembly has strongly supported that.”

He tells Brownfield there are also several funding priorities.

“One was school funding and there is an additional $611 million for K-12 education,” he says. “There’s bonding authority for the Purdue veterinary teaching hospital and money for the Indiana State Fair’s request for the Fall Creek pavilion and swine barn request.”

Shelby Swain Myers, INFB associate policy advisor, says another priority includes fairness and uniformity in property tax assessments.

“Senator Buchanan has a bill, senate bill 623, that’s working toward a more fair and uniform property tax system,” she says. “When we have the system in place it’s everybody’s responsibility to pay their fair share.”  

Indiana Farm Bureau also has local legislation for hemp on its list of priorities. Schneider says there is a lot of interest from farmers now that the 2018 Farm Bill was passed.

Audio: Justin Schneider and Shelby Swain Myers, Indiana Farm Bureau