Hamilton's Highlights
Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my newsletter, which includes updates from my work in recent weeks representing House District 87. As always, feel free to contact my office at h87@iga.in.gov with any questions or concerns.
In service,
Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus Launch
Last week, I was thrilled to join more than 100 students and educators from across the state at the Statehouse to launch the Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus in partnership with The STARTedUp Foundation. This new caucus aims to empower young Hoosiers by providing the resources, mentorship, and skills needed to become the entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow.
The goal of this bipartisan initiative is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across our schools, communities, and industries. My co-founders Sen. Goode, Sen. Qaddoura, Rep. Snow and I are committed to cultivating talent, inspire innovation, and create new opportunities for the next generation of leaders in Indiana.
I encourage students, teachers, business owners, and other community members to visit our website to stay informed about upcoming events, volunteer openings, and ways to get involved. Working together, Indiana can build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem—one that harnesses the wide-ranging talents of its youth and positions the state as a leader in innovation.
Bicycle Indiana Day at the Statehouse
This week, I had the pleasure of giving remarks at Bicycle Indiana Day at the Statehouse. As the founder of the bipartisan, bicameral trails caucus, I am a fierce advocate for all trail users, including cyclists. Whether it is protecting them as vulnerable road users, or fighting to expand our state’s trails network, I want Indiana to be a hub for the cycling community. Thank you to Bicycle Indiana and everyone who came out to the Statehouse for a great event! If you want to get involved in Bicycle Indiana or learn more about what they do, visit bicycleindiana.org.
A continued attack on women’s health and privacy
Last week, Gov. Mike Braun issued an executive order requiring health care providers to submit a Terminated Pregnancy Report (TPR) every time an abortion is performed. A TPR contains information about a woman’s pre-existing medical conditions, her age, location, marital status and reason for the abortion. Under this executive order, the Indiana Department of Health would be required to release these reports for public access. Like any other medical procedure, patients receiving reproductive care deserve to have their privacy respected. Click here to read my full statement.
Instead of attacking the health and privacy of women and girls, I am focused on supporting young families by expanding access to child care. I filed HB 1584 to provide an income-based income tax credit to families for childcare (or other dependent care) expenses. Child and dependent care tax credits are a proven tool to help families thrive.
New local business spotlight: Fire and Ice Café
Last week, I was thrilled to visit a new locally-owned business, Fire and Ice Café. This attractive and welcoming spot is located at 62nd and Allisonville, next to the Nickel Plate Trail! One of the main reasons I advocate for expanding trails is the benefit to local economies that increased foot traffic brings. This new, locally-owned business, as well as the other new businesses and commercial property upgrades at this intersection, are a direct result of the Nickel Plate Trail development our community worked so hard to make a reality.
I encourage you to visit Fire and Ice Café as well as our growing list of locally owned cafes and restaurants in the area the next time you dine out!
How to report potholes
As the ice melts, it’s that time of year where potholes start popping up around the city. Potholes happen when water finds its way into cracks in the pavement and freezes. The expansion that happens when the water freezes causes holes to from underneath the top layer, which caves in when driven over. That means that this time of year is peak pothole season.
If you notice a pothole on you morning commute, you can report it through the Mayor’s Action Center online through RequestIndy or by calling 317-327-4622. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday, the center is closed from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Make sure to include details about the location and size of the pothole.
For more information, view this article from the Indy Star.
Retaining Indiana's homegrown entrepreneurs
Gov. Braun signs executive orders targeting healthcare affordability, abortion law enforcement
Indiana Black lawmakers denounce governor's anti-DEI order, budget proposal
Buyback, safe storage, hunting: 20 gun bills proposed in Indiana
Minimum teacher salaries: Nearly all Indianapolis school districts offer over $50,000
Indiana ended Medicaid waiver waitlists before. As thousands wait, could it do it again?
The bill to dissolve IPS might not move. Are lawmakers using it as a bargaining chip?
Thank you for supporting women's health issues! Wouldn't HIPPA rights come in to play with such a medical record "order"? If the Governor and his friends don't want to have an abortion they can choose not to, but that decision for an individual woman is between her and her physician.
Should I assume that if we get your USPS mailings that we live within your district?