Understanding this process is an essential component of grassroots advocacy and civic engagement. While the process can be quite complex, when boiled down there are seven basic steps that lead to a bill becoming a law. There needs to be an idea. The idea is written down by a member of Congress, either a senator… Continue reading.
America was founded on a cooperative spirit. Working together, helping each other for the mutual good – this is the American way. And for good reason: cooperative organizations provide their consumers economic, social and cultural benefits that often wouldn’t be available otherwise. That’s the way it is with electric power cooperatives which were formed to… Continue reading.
When I was in grade school in the early 1970s, our neighbors across the alley had a concrete basketball court in their back-yard. That square slab was a magnet for guys of every size — from high school to grade school — in each of their three sons’ sphere of friends. Between pickup games, a… Continue reading.
By Brian Christenberry When I graduated from Indiana University with a political science degree, my career goals were straightforward — simple though perhaps a bit lofty. I wanted a position in state government where I could craft public policy, assist in drafting laws and just make Indiana a better place. My friends and family applauded… Continue reading.
Loopholes riddle the federal tax code. We’ve all scratched our heads or groaned whenever we’ve heard or read about some of the capricious and crazy deductions allowed by the IRS. Most tax incentives, though, do seem to make sense, and most of us appreciate and take advantage of those we can — such as mortgage… Continue reading.
You’ll probably never see this in a diagram of how electricity flows to your home, farm or business, but power lines don’t necessarily run directly from the generation plant. They take a detour: through Washington, D.C., and Indianapolis. In either place, the legislative or executive branches of government can act like a giant transformer; they… Continue reading.
By Scott Bowers On Tuesday, May 3, voters throughout Indiana will cast their ballots in the 2016 primary election. While the presidential campaign on both sides has dominated the attention of voters and the media to date, there are several other candidates on the ballot who have consistently shown a high level of support for the… Continue reading.
By Tom VanParis I must admit, in some ways, I feel as if I’m reliving my first week of college. I’ve sufficiently prepared for my latest adventure through previous education and experience so I feel confident. But nonetheless, since I’m the new kid on the block, I still have to get acclimated to my new… Continue reading.
Now in its third year, the Champion of Indiana’s Electric Cooperatives award is being presented to three lawmakers who are strong advocates for cooperatives in three different legislative arenas: the U.S. House of Representatives, the Indiana House of Representatives, and the Indiana Senate. The award is the most distinguished honor for public servants presented by… Continue reading.
by Rep. Todd Young Federal issues impacting Indiana industries vary a great deal, from trade agreements, to patent reforms, to the tax code. Yet, problems with regulatory roadblocks aren’t unique. Operations big and small are forced to do more, with less, as a result of costly regulations coming out of Washington. In recent years, no… Continue reading.
If Good Intentions alone could generate electricity, we could shut down every power plant that emits even one molecule of carbon dioxide or one speck of ash. We could close the intakes on any hydroelectric dam that disrupts the frailest fry in the tiniest tributary. We could dismantle every wind turbine that brains a bird… Continue reading.
BY REP. SUSAN BROOKS When I started my tenure as senior vice president for workforce and economic development at Ivy Tech Community College in 2007, the energy renaissance that would transform our nation was just getting underway. Our manufacturing intensive state had just begun seeing the benefits of the hydraulic fracturing revolution that would unleash… Continue reading.
For 80 years, Indiana Electric Cooperatives has been faithfully serving electric cooperatives throughout the Hoosier state. Established in 1935, we were the first organization of its kind in the United States — and over time we’ve grown to serve more than 1.3 million people, families, farms, and businesses in 89 of the state’s 92 counties…. Continue reading.
