Lawmakers already looking ahead to 2012

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The 2011 Indiana Legislative Session recently wrapped up, but area lawmakers are already looking ahead to next year. The school voucher bill was one of the hot topics this session. It allows students from lower income families the choice to attend a private school.

At the time, education legislation was one of the reasons why House Democrats fled to Illinois for five weeks. Democratic State Representative Sheila Klinker said the House Republicans made some concessions on bills like the voucher bill, which is why the Democrats returned to Indianapolis.

Republican Representative Randy Truitt said it is important to remember the voucher discussion will continue next session.

"You have to give yourself a chance to study what it is that you did or what you plan to do and then be willing and courageous enough, if it is not working the way you think it is going to work," Truitt said.

"We will watch it very carefully, but I do not think you will see a huge move next year to change that,” State Representative Sheila Klinker said. “I do think it will be watched very carefully."

The bill was authored by House Speaker Brian Bosma, but it was one of the main priorities of Governor Mitch Daniels. The state's dependence on coal will also be a talking point for State Senator Brandt Hershman.

"We have not only got to look at ways to diversify our energy portfolio and look at renewable sources, including wind, which I think is a tremendous asset for the state of Indiana,” said Hershman. “We need to look at it in a way that encourages choice and competitiveness and keeps cost down for industrial consumers."

Republican State Representative Tim Brown says healthcare will also be a hot topic, not just next year, but for the next several years.

"We are going to have a period of federal court appeals and in the Supreme Court too,” Brown said. “I think the Affordable Healthcare Act will be ruled on by the Supreme Court and then states and the federal government will learn what to do after the Supreme Court ruling."

Brown said what to do about raising medicare and medicaid costs will be the main areas of focus.