Community initiatives are highlights of State Rep. Robin Shackleford's 2015 legislative agenda

Press Release

During the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) is focusing on several bills that would positively impact House constituents in Indiana House District 98 while improving the lives of Hoosiers statewide.

Meeting with constituents in her community has influenced Rep. Shackleford to concentrate on legislation that would assist in increasing economic opportunities for women, eliminating food deserts, assisting at-risk students and their parents, developing disadvantaged areas, and improving low voter turnout.

House Bill 1172 establishes a grant program that provides women with innovative on-the-job training to assist them in reaching high demand, nontraditional positions of employment in safe work environments. The proposed legislation requires businesses to have an "equal pay certification" if they have a contract with the state, ensuring women are paid equally.

"Wall Street has deemed Indiana the 6th worst state for women in the nation," noted Shackleford. "Approximately 112,000 (22 percent) of Hoosier girls aged 6-17 live below the poverty line. Additionally, the poverty rate for women and girls is the 25th highest in the nation at 16.8 percent."

According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, Indiana was given a D+ and ranked 37th in the country for women's employment and earnings. Currently, Hoosier women earn only 73 cents for every dollar a man earns. Women in Indiana rank 33rd in educational attainment and 41st in executive positions and unemployment.

"These statistics are unacceptable. I believe Indiana is more than capable of doing better than those figures reflect," said Shackleford.

House Bill 1256 establishes the small business and grocer investment fund. The fund's objective is to motivate grocers to bring fresh, reasonably priced, and nutritious food options to underserved, high-need communities located in "food deserts."

"The east side of Indianapolis is one of the worst "food deserts" in the nation," explained Shackleford. "The majority of the residents here are budget-focused citizens with very limited funds for food shopping.

"The devastating outcome is an abundance of convenience store shopping for grocery needs. Limiting exposure to fresh produce and healthy alternatives to packaged and processed foods results in an increase in unhealthy food consumption and lifestyles," she added.

Hear State Rep. Shackleford explain her effort to bring affordable, high-quality food options to Indiana House District 98 in this 1:12 mp3 audio.

Additionally, House Bill 1326 proposes to establish a tutoring program grant fund for children who are enrolled in schools designated D or F by the Indiana Department of Education and receiving failing grades.

"Considering this is the education session, helping at-risk children succeed is one of my top priorities," said Shackleford. "This legislation would allow parents to obtain a $250 tutoring grant by enrolling their children in summer school and regularly attending parent teacher conferences."

House Bill 1327 addresses an emerging issue regarding parental access to health coverage information. It requires schools to provide the information to students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches under the national school lunch program.

"With nearly a million uninsured Hoosiers, it is vital we connect parents to health coverage information at contact points in their daily lives," Shackleford said. House Bill 1257 establishes a disadvantaged district loan fund to encourage community and economic development in high crime underprivileged areas. The bill appropriates $250,000 for the proposed program.

"It's time we rebuild our communities that have been plagued with blight and criminal activity," said Shackleford. "We have to reclaim our neighborhoods."

Rep. Shackleford is also authoring House Bill 1259 that would restore the income tax credit for small employers who provide a qualified wellness program for their employees. Rep. Shackleford is urging lawmakers to consider re-establishing this credit that was terminated in 2011.

"It's a win-win to reinstate the employer wellness tax credit," said Shackleford. "Hoosiers will be healthier and insurance costs for businesses are reduced simultaneously."

House Bill 1173 provides that 16-year-old individuals may pre-register to vote while receiving their license at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It mandates for the BMV to notify an individual who submits a change of address for a driver's license that the change of address serves as notice for voter registration purposes as well.

"Pre-registering to vote will engage young people in civic matters and encourage them to become active members of their communities," Shackleford said. "Additionally, this early involvement can help improve the record low voter turnout in Indiana."

In an effort to cut down on Hoosier unemployment, Rep. Shackleford is also authoring House Bill 1258, which provides a $3,000 grant to employers for hiring ex-offenders with convictions within the past 12 months. The grant is issued for each qualified individual that is hired.

"There are numerous ex-offenders who are unable to obtain employment due to their past criminal records," Shackleford said. "Many of these individuals have realized the error of their ways and deserve a second chance. They are eager to work and need jobs to support their families just like everyone else." House Bill 1325 seeks to establish the resident's tuition act. It qualifies Indiana residents who are authorized by the United States Department of Homeland Security to be present in the United States to pay in-state tuition for postsecondary education.

"We're currently discouraging productive members of society to be successful," Shackleford said. "As long as we continue to suppress our youth's ability to learn and grow, we will not succeed in taking this State from good to great."

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