Group urges Indiana delegation to cut $15 billion in spending by passing President Trump’s rescission package

On the heels of launching the first phase of its “Stop Our Spending” campaign to call attention to the dramatic over spending that takes place in Washington, Americans for Prosperity-Indiana (AFP-IN) is calling on Indiana’s House delegation to take the first step in reining in wasteful spending by cosponsoring the rescission package proposed by President Trump that would cancel $15 billion in unspent funds from previous years.

Currently, no U.S. Representative from Indiana’s delegation is a cosponsor of the rescission package, which was introduced as H.R. 3.

“When it comes to stopping wasteful Washington spending, almost all of Indiana’s congressional delegation can do better,” said AFP-IN State Director Justin Stevens.  “The White House’s $15 billion rescission package is a modest but important first step in the right direction.  If our lawmakers can’t even get themselves to cancel unspent funds from previous years then how can we trust them to come to grips with our $21 trillion debt?  If the Hoosier delegation is truly committed to rein in spending, they can start by cosponsoring the White House rescission package and then vote for it.”

Background:

The “Stop Over Spending” campaign includes robust digital, direct-mail, print, and radio advertising in congressional districts across the country to thank or hold accountable members based on their vote on the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package for fiscal year 2018. That omnibus pushed total federal spending over $4 trillion, or $33,000 per household.

AFP-IN called out Representative Pete Visclosky for his vote on the omnibus and urged them to support immediate measures to help restore taxpayer trust in Congress by focusing on cutting wasteful spending. Of Indiana’s entire federal congressional delegation, onlyReps. Todd Rokita and Trey Hollingsworth stood by taxpayers and voted against the wasteful spending omnibus package.

AFP strongly opposed the omnibus earlier this year, calling it a “reckless disregard for the burden that will be pushed onto future generations,” and supports efforts like rescission that would allow Congress to begin undoing some of the damage. President Trump has also expressed his disapproval with excessive spending in the omnibus bill and said at the bill signing,  “I will never sign another bill like this again.”

While tax reform continues to benefit American workers and the overall economy, unchecked spending threatens to undermine that progress and drag the economy down.

The recent $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill pushed total Washington spending above $4 trillion for the first time. Congress also failed to make any reforms to entitlement programs, which are the major drivers of the national debt. AFP has long-advocated the importance of pairing tax cuts with spending restraint to grow the economy and improve the lives of all Americans.

Fiscal year 2019 spending legislation, which will be considered later this year, will be the last chance for members of Congress to prove before the midterm elections that they can be trusted stewards of taxpayer dollars. AFP views the Fall spending debate as a critical test for lawmakers and will be engaging grassroots activists throughout the summer to hold both parties accountable for reckless spending and stress the importance of getting spending under control. 

In recent weeks, AFP has fought major boondoggles like the 2018 Farm Bill and called on lawmakers to repeal some omnibus bill spending by supporting President Trump’s rescission plan

The remnants of the first tropical storm of the season – Alberto – made its way through Kentuckiana this afternoon, leaving thousands of customers without power and leaving dozens of businesses closed.

Duke Energy and other REMCS in Kentuckiana are scrambling to restore power to customers. 

At one time, Duke Energy said over 50,000 customers were without power. 

Jackson County REMC has been busy restoring power in its coverage area. There are currently (as of 10:30p) a little over 5,400 customers still without power. 

Clark County REMC reported that 621 total customers were without power, but throughout the afternoon 571 were able to be restored. As of 10:30p. they still had 49 without power. 

Duke Energy said they are still assessing damage and have given no estimation of when power would be restored. 

Schools, churches, hospitals and businesses in much of South Central Indiana are without power and running on generator power. 

At the Subway in Borden, lines stretched around the side of the building from 5p till almost closing with customers who were searching for food with nearby towns without power. 

Salem’s Walmart, the largest in Indiana, had to close doors this afternoon without power. Local restaurants were closed to. 

Mama Rosa’s, a local restaurant, survived on generator power into the evening, but could only take cash. 

Most gas stations who were without power couldn’t operate because of the pumps and card readers needing electricity and connection to the internet. 

Here are a list of area locations still without power from Duke Energy:

• Salem – 4,101 customers in 12 locations
• Pekin – 302 customers in 3 locations. 
• Austin – 165 customers in 5 lcoations.
• Orleans – 758 customers in 6 locations. 
• Mitchell – 287 customers in 10 locations
• French Lick – 704 customers in 10 locations
• Columbus – 2,182 customers in 83 locations
• Bedford – 121 customers in 13 locations
• Clarksville – 925 customers in 23 locations
• New Albany – 234 customers in 22 locations
• Jeffersonville – 86 customers in 10 locations 

If you see a fallen power line or safety hazard involving our equipment, call Duke Energy at 800.343.3525 or contact your local emergency services immediately. Do not touch a power line or anything in contact with it and keep others away until help arrives.

For power outages with Jackson County REMC, call 1.800.288.4458. 

For tips on keeping your frozen foods good through a power outtage, read this article http://www.jacksonremc.com/content/outage-refrigeration-guidelines

Yesterday, Indiana State Police Troopers were contacted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Paoli Police Department to assist with an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of a Kaylea Hickman, 23, Paoli, that went missing on May 26th, 2018.

During the course of the investigation an unidentified deceased female was located in a wooded area near Northeast 3rd Street and Railroad Avenue in Paoli. 

An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow in order to determine the identity and cause of death of the deceased. 

Indiana State Police Detective Shane Staggs along with numerous Indiana State Troopers, Orange County Sheriffs Deputies and Paoli Police Officers conducted a canvass search of the area near Northeast 3rd Street and Railroad Avenue in Paoli. 

Kaylea Sue Hickman was reported missing on May 22, according to the Paoli Police Department.

She has two small children, who are not with her.  Hickman was last seen with her ex-boyfriend following an incident at a home on Northeast Third Street in Paoli, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Dept. John Deaton is working on the case and confirms she was last seen with a man known to be her ex-boyfriend after an incident at a home on Northeast 3^rd St in Paoli, IN last week. 

Police visited an apartment complex in the area where her phone last indicated she could have been, and knocked on doors to ask for help.

Deaton says the police are actively working on this case, but do not have much to go on. He said they’ve been in touch nearly daily with members of her family.

In a Facebook post by the Paoli Police Department, Hickman is described as being 5’5’’ tall and weighing 115 pounds with brown eyes.

The last post on Facebook was at 12:22p on May 22. 

Deputies said earlier they are not ruling out foul play in the case.

According to Duke Energy, over 50,000 customers are without power in Southern Indiana as strong storms moved in from Illinois this afternoon, knocking down power lines and trees.

The hardest hit areas, according to Duke Energy are in Bloomington, Bedford and Columbus. 

Duke Energy is still assessing the damage. There is no current estimate on when power will be restored. 

Severe Thunderstorm warnings began coming in to WSLM this afternoon before 1p as the severe storm cell – which ranged as far north as Terre Haute and as far south as Hopkinsville, Ky and back to St. Louis – moved through the region. 

At one point the storm had storm warnings for Washington, Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Crawford, Martin and Dubois Counties and quickly spread into areas of North Central Kentucky and eastern Indiana and Ohio. 

The Salem Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to multiple trees down around the county. 

A tree blew down on North Main Street in Salem, sending area homes into darkness just after 2p. 

At one point, Duke Energy reported almost 4200 customers without power, including Walmart and St. Vincent Hospital.

As of 4p, the number for Duke outtages had dropped to 3,900 customers. 

Jackson County REMC reported this afternoon that 7,618 customers were without power in its coverage area, including about 1,000 in Washington County. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Management Agency reported that the following roads had power lines and trees down:

Highway 150 near Orange County Line
State Road 56 near Livonia 
Hardinsburg Livonia Road
Intersection of Cox Ferry & Mulberry Street
North Main Street in Salem near Emma St
Becks Mill Road
135 North and Pump Station Road
RADCLIFF Road 
Garrison Hollow Road
Franklin School Road
State Road 335 & Elmer Martin Road
QUAKER Road
Cox Ferry and Elrod Lane
Blue River Road near 6218
Jackson Street in Salem 
Bee Line and Hitchcock Road
State Road 56 west near Blue River Woods. 

Please use caution when traveling and STAY AWAY from downed POWER LINES.

The Indiana State Police is currently conducting a homicide investigation after a Lawrenceburg man was found deceased in his home on Memorial Day.

On Monday, May 28th, at approximately 2:15 pm, the Indiana State Police and Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department were called to an address on Highridge Court in the Hidden Valley subdivision when Thomas Biedenharn, age 73, was found deceased inside his residence.  Evidence at the scene indicated the death appeared to be the result of foul play.

An autopsy was conducted yesterday, May 30th, in Hamilton County, Ohio.  The autopsy determined that Biedenharn death was the result of a homicide.

No arrests have been made at this time.

The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigative Division is currently investigating the homicide.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post at (812)689-5000.

The Indiana State Police is being assisted by the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department and the Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office.