State legislators are scheduled to return to the State House tomorrow (01/07/09) and will meet until the end of April 2009. This year is the so-called "long session" in which state lawmakers adopt a two year budget. Third House meetings are an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with your local state legislators to get an update on important issues. The Third House is you the voter. The other two houses are the Indiana State Senate and the Indiana House of Representatives.
JANUARY 2009
01/09/09 (Friday) Valparaiso, IN
Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Hotline 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., Valpo Chamber, 2nd Floor Conference Room 2A
Free to attend. No reservations required. Call for details (219) 462-1105. Next meeting 01/23/09.
01/12/09 (Monday) Carmel, IN
Hamilton County Legislative Breakfast
Legislative Breakfasts (aka: Third House Meetings) allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. This breakfast is open to the public and begins at 7:30am at the Mansion at Oak Hill. There is a $25 fee and registration is required by January 8. For more information and to register go to the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce website.
01/13/09 (Tuesday) Franklin, IN
Franklin Legislative Breakfast
Legislative Breakfasts (aka: Third House Meetings) allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. This breakfast is open to the public and begins at 7:30am at the Franklin College Dietz Center. There is a fee of $8 for continental breakfast. For further information or to register, go to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce website.
01/16/09 (Friday) North Vernon, IN
Jennings County Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at F.P.B.H. in North Vernon from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
01/17/09 (Saturday) Bedford, IN
Bedford Area Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 9:00am in the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room.
01/17/09 (Saturday) Ft. Wayne, IN
Ft. Wayne Chamber of Commerce Meeting
Third House Forums: Be aware and understand issues and policy that affect Northeast Indiana by attending the Chamber's 3rd House Forums. These forums will provide you with an update on both the legislative climate in the Statehouse, and how the Chamber's business issues are faring in the process. Legislators of the Northeast Indiana Delegation are available to take questions and respond to your concerns. These forums take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to noon during the legislative session.
01/26/09 (Monday) Columbus, IN
Columbus Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 7:30am at Columbus City Hall.
01/26/09 (Monday) Anderson, IN
City of Anderson Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 8:00am at the Anderson Public Library third floor. For more information go to the City of Anderson website. Additional meetings scheduled for 03/09/09 and 04/13/09. Invited to attend are state Sen. Tim Lanane and Reps. Terri Austin, Jack Lutz and Scott Reske.
01/26/09 (Monday) Danville, IN
Hendricks County Legislative Breakfast Series
The annual legislative breakfast series is sponsored by Hendricks Power Cooperative, Hendricks County Farm Bureau Inc. and North Salem State Bank. The breakfasts are free for the public. Reservations are requested by calling Hendricks County Farm Bureau at 317-272-2460.
The monthly events during the legislative session are scheduled at 7 a.m. on Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 30 and April 27 in the conference center at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 East Main Street, or Old U.S. 36, in Danville. Invited representatives are Republican state senators Connie Lawson of Danville and Philip Boots of Crawfordsville, and Republican representatives Bob Behning, Indianapolis; Ralph Foley, Martinsville; Greg Steuerwald, Avon; and Jeff Thompson, Lizton.
01/27/09 (Tuesday) Greenwood, IN
Greenwood Legislative Breakfast
Legislative Breakfasts (aka: Third House Meetings) allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. This breakfast is open to the public and begins at 7:30am at the Valle Vista Golf & Conference Center. There is a fee of $10. For further information or to register, go to the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce website.
01/27/09 (Tuesday) Indianapolis, IN
5th Annual Conservation Day 2009 at the Statehouse.
A state Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) is one of three issues on the agenda for this Lobby Day. Click here to register online or call 317-951-8818.
01/30/09 (Friday) Bloomington, IN
City of Bloomington Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting will be at the Hilton Garden Inn from noon until 1:30pm. There is a charge of $35 for the meeting. For more information see the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce website.
01/31/09 (Saturday) Madison, IN
Jefferson County Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 8:30am at the Venture Out Business Center, in Madison. For more information go to the Madison Chamber of Commerce website.
01/31/09 (Saturday) Goshen, IN
Elkhart County Third House Meetings
Beginning on Saturday, January 31, 2009, Third House sessions will be held at the Goshen Chamber offices (232 South Main Street). From 8:00 -10:00 am am you’ll have a chance to meet with our local and state legislators, ask questions, and voice your opinion. Third House meetings will be held every other Saturday from January 31 through April 25, 2009. Sessions are FREE and open to the community. Additional dates: 02/14/09, 02/28/09, 03/14/09, 03/28/09, 04/11/09 and 04/25/09. For more information: 574-533-2102 or goshenchamber@goshen.org.
FEBRUARY 2009
02/02/09 (Monday) Columbus, IN
Columbus Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 7:30am at Columbus City Hall.
02/03/09 (Tuesday) Greenfield, IN
Greenfield Legislative Breakfast
Legislative Breakfasts (aka: Third House Meetings) allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. Further details TBA.
02/06/09 (Friday) North Vernon, IN
Jennings County Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at F.P.B.H. in North Vernon from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
02/09/09 (Monday) Columbus, IN
Columbus Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and begins at 7:30am at Columbus City Hall. Columbus Third House Meetings occur every Monday morning during the Legislative Session.
02/20/09 (Friday) North Vernon, IN
Jennings County Third House Meeting
Third house meetings allow constituents to meet with their state legislators to ask questions and voice their opinions. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at F.P.B.H. in North Vernon from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
If you are aware of any additional Third House meetings, Town Hall meetings or forums where state legislators will be discussing proposed legislation introduced during the 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly, please contact me lauraarnold@indianarenew.org or call (317) 635-1701. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or local League of Women Voters to see if there are additional meetings scheduled for your community.
U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky representing northwest Indiana has posted a schedule of Town Halls meetings for January 2009. See http://www.house.gov/visclosky/jan_townhalls.htm