INDIANAPOLIS— State Senator Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute) has authored several bills for the 2013 legislative session. Sen. Skinner’s proposals include bills to help keep Hoosier workers on the job, incentivize businesses to hire Indiana workers and rebuild local roads and bridges.

Work sharing to avoid temporary lay-offs

Senate Bill (SB) 438 would establish a program designed to help employers retain skilled workers during times of economic uncertainly. A “work-share” program allows employers to reduce the work week of their employees in lieu of layoffs. The affected employees would receive the partial unemployment benefit based on the amount of hours they were able to work for their employer. It requires an employer to submit a work sharing plan for approval by the commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development.

Tax credit for hiring returning veterans

To help curb a disproportionately high unemployment rate among returning Indiana veterans, SB 504 would help incentivize Indiana businesses to hire returning veterans. Employers would receive $1,000 of credit for each eligible veteran hired.

Rebuilding local infrastructure

The quality and maintenance of Indiana roads, bridges and other infrastructure is an essential component of economic development and quality of life. SB 150 would establish a funding mechanism to help counties and municipalities fund critical infrastructure construction and repair projects. The bill would appropriate $1.5 million to the Highway Revolving Loan Fund, and the Indiana Department of Transportation would determine the application process for a loan as well as the terms of loans. Certain basic parameters of the loans are included in this bill, such as loans may not exceed 25 years and the interest rate on loans may not exceed 2%.

SB 440 would allow that part of the sales tax collected on gasoline sales to be allocated to counties, cities and towns for road and street improvements each quarter. The bill specifies that the sales tax on that part of the retail price of gasoline that exceeds $3 would be allocated to cities and towns across Indiana to improve local streets and roads. SB 505 would match the state’s gas sales tax rate to the rate of inflation as a way to make certain funding for the maintenance of local infrastructure keeps up with demand.

Passenger restraint systems for children

SB 151 would strengthen the law surrounding the proper use of child safety seats. This legislation aims to ensure Hoosier children are buckled up appropriately and stems from an accident resulting in the tragic death of a local child.

Teacher retirement benefit adjustment

SB 442 would protect the pension benefits of qualified past retired teachers. The proposal would allow that the pension portion of the monthly benefit payment to a member of the Indiana state Teachers’ Retirement Fund (TRF) who retired before 1980 with at least twenty years of experience may not be less than $500.

Military Service Credit

For Hooisers who served in our nation’s armed forces and went on to teach, SB 439 would grant up to six years of service credit towards the Teachers' Retirement Fund (TRF). The initiative would also allow members of the 1977 Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension and Disability Fund (1977 Fund) to apply up to six years of military service.

Sen. Skinner represents Senate District 38, including Vigo County and portions of Clay County. For more information on Sen. Skinner, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s38.

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NOTE: A photo of Sen. Tim Skinner can be downloaded at http://www.in.gov/legislative/senate_democrats/images/headshots/Skinner.jpg