The 2019 legislative session is a time for Indiana Farm Bureau to show the clout and influence of its members. That was certainly on display at INFB’s 10th annual legislative kickoff, an event designed to introduce members to the legislative process and recruit them to be grassroots advocates for the policies adopted by INFB members.
More than 250 members and 62 legislators attended the kickoff, which was held in downtown Indianapolis. Those who attended heard Gov. Eric Holcomb answer questions asked by Randy Kron, INFB president.
The governor addressed rural road funding, broadband deployment, rural economic development and workforce programs. He also discussed the state budget, Indiana’s ports and efforts to attract new agricultural opportunities to the state. The governor’s passion for Indiana and enthusiasm for the success of its rural citizens was evident in his remarks.
Now that members have been briefed on the legislative process, they will be focusing their attention on the pieces of proposed legislation that impact farmers and residents of rural Indiana. INFB’s priority issues were covered in the previous edition of The Hoosier Farmer, but many additional bills have been introduced that deserve the attention of Farm Bureau members.
Some of the other topics that will be discussed during the 2019 session include annexation, local income taxes, CAFO inspections, farmland preservation, fence building and maintenance, local food production and direct-to-consumer sales, local referendum adjustments and more.
To learn more about these bills, INFB’s position on each issue and to follow the legislative process, sign up for the weekly Dispatch, an electronic newsletter that focuses on legislative and regulatory issues. To start receiving these updates, email Garrett Kelly.