House District 94 update for the week of 11/14
Chamber of Progress Autonomous Vehicle Convening
This week, I attended a small, invitation-only convening of state legislators in Scottsdale, Arizona to learn about autonomous vehicle safety and regulation as states around the country explore the potential deployment of this technology. I had the opportunity to ride in a self-driving vehicle, tour an autonomous vehicle facility, meet with local leaders, and sit down for a discussion with fellow state legislators and industry representatives. Thank you to the Chamber of Progress for holding this meeting!
It was great to learn more about how the deployment of autonomous vehicles can save lives, promote sustainability, and mitigate accessibility gaps in Indiana.
Click here to see a video of my ride in a self-driving vehicle. It felt like I was in an episode of the Jetsons!
Indiana NAACP Conference: Women Political Officials Roundtable
Last week, I had the honor of participating in the Women Political Officials Roundtable on Environment, Energy, Economics and Equity. This roundtable was part of the Indiana NAACP State Conference in Terre Haute. I joined two of my fellow legislators, State Rep. Carolyn Jackson and State Sen. Shelli Yoder, in speaking on panel and accepting awards for the work we do as state lawmakers.
The topic I spoke on was utilities and housing as it relates to women. Equitable access to affordable and quality housing is one of my top legislative priorities. Additionally, I have worked diligently to prevent utility companies from taking advantage of working-class Hoosiers with unreasonable rate hikes and deeply flawed disconnection and billing systems.
I also had the pleasure of making the trip to Terre Haute with Ms. Billie Breaux who accepted an award on behalf of her daughter, the late State Sen. Jean Breaux.
Energy Assistance Program
The colder weather can bring struggles to keep up with higher electricity bills to keep your house warm and the lights on longer. The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) offers the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) for those struggling to afford high energy costs. This program can also help if your power is disconnected or about to be disconnected. The EAP is a one-time annual benefit paid directly to the utility vendor for applicants who meet certain income requirements. Applications for 2025 are open now until April. For more details on the program, eligibility and application visit the IHCDA website today.
Marion County Public Health Department Grant
The Marion County Public Health Department is allocating up to $10 million of its Health First Indiana (HFI) funding in 2025 to award grants to community groups who provide programming that addresses core public health services identified in the HFI statewide initiative. The application deadline for grant funding is November 18, 2024. Grants will be awarded on December 16, 2024.
For more information and a link to the grant application, please visit:
The application deadline for grant funding is November 18, 2024.
Join us as we honor Marshall "Major" Taylor!
I would like to invite you to a special ceremony to honor Marshall “Major” Taylor, the legendary bicycle racer, civil rights pioneer, and trailblazing historical figure from Indianapolis. At this ceremony, we will proudly present Major Taylor with the Distinguished Hoosier Award, a posthumous tribute to his enduring legacy.
The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm (EST) (Indiana Statehouse Rotunda, 200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46202). Accepting this honor on his behalf will be his great-granddaughter, Karen Brown Donovan, who will be traveling from Hawaii to join us for this special occasion.
It’s important that we honor and remember Major Taylor’s trailblazing career. Taylor’s first adventure into biking was at 13 when a local shop hired him to perform stunts outside. This is likely where he got the nickname “Major” since he often performed in a military uniform. Taylor began competing in sprint and long-distance races in Indianapolis, and he was competing in national races by 17. He became the first Black American to win a world championship in any sport in 1899. Major Taylor held a total of seven world records with his one-mile record lasting for 28 years.
His legacy is a testament to willpower, grit and bravery in the face of prejudice. Taylor is world-renowned for breaking down barriers for Black athletes during the Jim Crowe era. One of my favorite Major Taylor quotes is “I was a pioneer, and therefore I had to blaze my own trail.”
I hope you will join me in celebrating Major Taylor’s life and achievements. The presence of our community would add to the significance of this gathering as we honor a true champion of resilience and courage.
Marion County Youth Violence Prevention Coalition (MCYVPC) Meeting
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the MCYVPC will be holding the final bi-monthly meeting of 2024. The meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. at 4012 N. Rural Street. This meeting will also be the elections for leadership in the MCYVPC. The candidates and their biographies will be sent before the election takes place.
Homebuyers Workshop
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Central Indiana Realtist Association is holding a homebuyers workshop. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at True Liberation Ministries (7061 Twin Oaks Drive). Child care and lunch will be provided.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about building generational wealth through homeownership. This workshop will help you understand credit and personal finance, as well as how to obtain a mortgage and protect your investment.
Women & Minority Small Business Saturday Market
On Saturday, November 30, check out the Women & Minority Small Business Saturday Market! Kick off your holiday shopping with 70 local women and minority-owned businesses. This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Global Village Welcome Center (4233 Lafayette Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46254). As we all take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, don’t forget about the importance of Small Business Saturday! Support our community by shopping local at this wonderful event.
CenterWell November Events
I want to share with you all the November events calendar for CenterWell Senior Care on Lafayette Road. See below for a list of fun events for the whole family.
