Locals dine with state representatives

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - MCL Restaurant and Bakery might be a delicious place to go for breakfast, but Saturday morning, people gathered for another reason too. The League of Women Voters' held their annual Legislative Breakfast.

It's not often that you get to have a meal with your legislators, but the League gave that opportunity to those in attendance.
 
A group of about 50 gathered at the restaurant in West Lafayette for this unique event.

Those in attendance were able to ask questions to several state representatives. The questions ranged from education to Right to Work, and no question asked went unanswered.

"Today, we hosted a round-table with Senator Ron Alting,  Representatives Randy Truitt, Sheila Klinker, Tim Brown, and also Representative Don Lehe," said League of Women's Voters member Michael Oxenrider. "They each spoke briefly and then we asked them questions about different moves and different things that have happened in the state legislature."

The steps were simple. Attendants would right down a question that was most interesting to them. The questions that had the most demand were then asked to the legislators.

The hope was to bring not only different age groups together, but different political parties as well.

"It was actually a great way of intermixing between both parties," said Oxenrider. "You heard a few people kind of hem and haw and sigh when they heard answers they didn't like, but it's a good way to actually interact and put a face to the party so it's not so tribal."

Questions included topics like  Right to Work, education funding and transportation.

Democratic State Representative Sheila Klinker said that although they were all great questions, there was one topic that was the hardest to address.

"I think the one on Planned Parenthood and the abortion issue is difficult for all of us," said Klinker. "Particularly when you have Catholic hospitals in your vicinity that perhaps have a certain agenda that they must follow. It's certainly not just a women's issue, it's a community issue, and those are always difficult questions."

Although there might have been some difficult questions asked, Klinker still believed that the breakfast was a successful event.

"I thought the turnout was very good," said Klinker. "People are still standing around talking about the issues. I think that's the key to knowing that you've had a successful meeting."