Government

Editor’s note: The following releases were sent to MuncieJournal.com from local legislators this week. House approves Prescott’s legislation to strengthen immigration laws STATEHOUSE (Feb. 21, 2025) – The Indiana House passed State Rep. J.D. Prescott’s (R-Union City) legislation to clarify the enforcement of federal immigration laws by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The legislation would ensure that governmental bodies and postsecondary institutions adhere to immigration detainer requests and provides additional tools for compliance and enforcement. House Bill 1531…

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN – The City of Muncie has officially completed the annexation of a 12-acre parcel of land donated by Ball State University on February 28, 2023. This strategic move marks the beginning of a collaborative effort between the university and the city to create a new subdivision, aimed at enhancing housing options in the region. The new development will draw inspiration from the successful Storer Estates subdivision, a 34-lot residential project on the former Storer Elementary…

By Amanda Schreiber, Press Secretary— STATEHOUSE—State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) has introduced legislation that would expand eligibility for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program, offering additional support for foster families. “This bill is about supporting the families who take on the vital but challenging role of fostering children,” Rowray said. “By extending CCDF assistance to other children in the home of a foster parent, we would be ensuring these families have the resources they need to provide the…

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The League of Women Voters of Indiana, of which the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County is a chapter, has added a section on its website called “Bill Track 50.” The service helps the League, as well as the public, monitor the progress of some of the hundreds of bills that legislators are introducing in the Indiana General Assembly during the 2025 long session. The bills the League will track fall into one of six…

By Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority— INDIANAPOLIS—The statewide annual count of individuals experiencing homelessness will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Service providers and volunteers in local communities across Indiana will be conducting the 2025 Point-IN-Time (PIT) Count for the Indiana Balance of State (BOS) Continuum of Care (CoC) in 91 of the 92 counties in the state. Marion County (Indianapolis) conducts its own PIT Count. The purpose of this annual count of people experiencing unsheltered or sheltered…

By Sydney Kokinis, Press Secretary— INDIANAPOLIS —Last week, the Indiana General Assembly (IGA) officially started the 2025 legislative session. State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) has filed bills aimed at addressing key issues in education, wage transparency and environmental sustainability. House Bill (HB) 1296 seeks to enhance the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. This bill would require the Department of Education (DOE) to establish guidelines and model policies for AI use in schools, create an inventory of AI platforms…

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN— The City of Muncie is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Selvey to the Muncie Sanitary District Board. This appointment follows Steve’s recent retirement after five years of dedicated service as the City of Muncie Building Commissioner. With a wealth of experience in city governance, infrastructure, and public service, Steve Selvey brings a unique and valuable perspective to the Muncie Sanitary District board. During his tenure as Building Commissioner, Steve played a key role…

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN—The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has awarded tax credits to Muncie for its innovative “Together to House” project, a new supportive housing initiative aimed at addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income families. The funding, part of a highly competitive selection process, will support the development of 38 affordable housing units across multiple structures in the city, a $15.9 million project in total. Out of the 40 cities that applied for…