House District 94 update for the week of 4/26
Welcoming State Senator La Keisha Jackson
This week, I had the honor of welcoming a new member to the Indiana General Assembly and Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. State Senator La Keisha Jackson (D-Indianapolis) was sworn in on Monday to serve out the remaining term for Senate District 34 after my dear friend Jean Breaux passed away last month. Before stepping up to fill Senator Breaux’s seat, Sen. Jackson was an Indianapolis City-County Councilor and has dedicated her career to serving the public and the improving Indianapolis. Welcome to the General Assembly, Sen. Jackson!
Earth Day Tree Planting
I had the pleasure of attending a tree planting event at Pike High school in honor of Earth Day! Trees bring so many benefits to our community and environment. From providing stormwater mitigation and cleaner air to adding aesthetic value to our neighborhoods, planting a tree is an easy way to enhance our community.
World Arts Expo
This year’s World Arts Expo held at the Global Village was such a unique and wonderful event. We had over 60 artists representing 23 different countries. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase local artists and celebrate the rich diversity of our community.
Jerry Wade Celebration
I joined my friend Faith James Kinbrough, the Marion County Recorder, to celebrate the legendary Indianapolis radio host, Jerry Wade, who passed away earlier this year. We participated in the Soul Train line on Monument Circle sponsored by 106.7 WTLC. We miss Jerry dearly but his legacy will live on throughout our city and through the Quality of Life Center renamed in his honor.
Pike Farmers Market
The Pike Farmers Market is opening Saturday, June 8! Hours run from 8:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday through September 21. Earlier this month, the 2024 vendors were officially announced! For more information and the full list of vendors, visit https://www.pikefarmersmarket.org/vendors.
This is a great opportunity to shop for locally grown produce as well as handcrafted goods. If you’ve never been to the market, I encourage you to come and visit the vendors, mingle with neighbors, enjoy treats, and appreciate this wonderful community asset.
Home Energy Rebates public engagement plans
The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) has announced plans to implement a federally funded home energy rebate program. OED is currently seeking public input to ensure development of this program goes smoothly. They are hosting a virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. and an in person meeting in Indianapolis on Tuesday, June 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (location to be announced). For more information or to register of the virtual meeting, visit: https://www.in.gov/oed/grants-and-funding-opportunities/homeowner-incentives/.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Indiana State Police are holding the 26th annual “Prescription Drug Take Back Day” in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration. This is open to any unwanted, unused or expired liquid or pill medications along with prescription drugs (no needles will be accepted). The collection also accepts vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges. This service is free and anonymous. You can drop these items off at any Indiana State Police Post (expect for Toll Road Posts).
To find the location nearest to you, click here. Other participation locations can be found here.
AES Rate Hike Approved
Last week, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved the AES Indiana rate increase agreement. The approved settlement will increase the annual revenue for AES by $71 million, and increase the average monthly residential electric bill by $9.36 per month. The initial request made by AES would have seen consumer rates go up by $17.50 and increase revenue by $134 million.
Over the last decade, AES Indiana has raised their consumer rates by an audacious 34%. With the ever-increasing cost of living, Hoosiers are facing enormous hardship to keep up with their monthly bills. I am concerned that AES was once again allowed to hike monthly rates on consumers for little other purpose than to increase profits.
This last legislative session, I offered numerous policy solutions to try to ease the burden of constant rate increases on Hoosier wallets. One of these measures was a one-year freeze on utilities raising their rates to give Hoosiers a chance to catch their breath. Unfortunately, the House Republican supermajority struck this down.
The last time AES raised their rates was in part to cover a system upgrade that has utterly failed consumers. Since this ‘upgrade’ customers have experienced issues such as bills being withdrawn up to 10 times from their accounts without an immediate refund, payments being reported missing, or charges on their account that are three times the normal amount with no explanation. We should not allow AES to take more from consumers when they face so many current challenges that are negatively impacting consumers.
Upcoming Change to Medicaid Managed Care Program
By 2030, one in five Hoosiers will be a senior citizen (ages 65 and older). As a large population of Hoosiers age, our senior care management framework must be a priority. Our 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are critical to this framework since they provide case management and referrals for services. AAAs serve small districts and do not operate with profit margins or shareholders in mind. They provide essential care to our senior citizens — including community programs like Meals on Wheels. Upcoming changes to Medicaid programs, like Managed Care, will put our AAAs at risk.
On July 1st, the Family and Social Service Administration (FSSA) announced that it is phasing out their Aged and Disability Waiver (A&D). This will change Medicaid’s Managed Care program to the new Indiana PathWays for Aging. Under PathWays, case management for seniors will shift from AAAs to big insurance companies — also known as Managed Care Entities (MCEs) — who will charge the state a flat rate for each senior. Our AAAs would be paid less to do more work putting their well-being at risk. Defunding the AAAs would result in fewer services available, a significant strain on the healthcare and nursing system and the end of several senior community organizations. The AAAs and MCEs are attempting to reach a reasonable, fiscal agreement before the switch. It’s unclear whether the PathWays to Aging program will be ready for implementation by the July start date. The movement away from our AAAs will delocalize care creating a uniform system that puts our seniors with complex needs at risk.
Enrollment for the program has already started, so I encourage Hoosier seniors to call 87-PATHWAY-4 (877-284-9294) to enroll today. I will keep my district as up-to-date as possible as FSSA implements several changes to its waivers and programs. As always, please reach out to my office at (317) 232-9798 or h94@iga.in.gov with any questions or concerns.
What an awesome newsletter!