Miller's monthly newsletter: Organizational Day, casino updates, Thanksgiving
Dear neighbor,
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, lawmakers returned to the Statehouse for Organizational Day to get prepared for the upcoming legislative session. Newly-elected members were sworn in, and we fought for transparency in our House rules.
The 2025 session is scheduled to begin Jan. 8, and I'm excited to get to work for our district and Hoosiers throughout the state. This session, I'll be fighting for tenant’s rights and lower taxes for merchants. This year is a budget session, and we in the House Democratic Caucus are determined to help make the state of Indiana work for Hoosiers. From enhancing K-12 education to making health care more affordable, a budget session provides us with an opportunity to make meaningful changes for Hoosiers for years to come.
If you have any questions about my legislation, the legislative process or concerns, please contact my office at h82@iga.in.gov.
Looking ahead to possible casino move
This legislative session, it’s very likely we’ll be discussing the possibility of moving the Rising Star Casino to New Haven. This move would only be possible with approval from the Statehouse and Governor-elect Mike Braun.
On Nov. 21, I joined House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta and other area lawmakers for a panel discussion, which included a conversation on the possible move.
It’s important to note that there is not yet a formal bill on the issue, but I welcome any comments and opinions from constituents ahead of the 2025 session. An economic impact study estimates that the project will generate $50 million in state revenue on top of the potential revenues Allen County and the City of New Haven will see from the project. While I’m open to conversations about potential drawbacks, with Indiana’s current Medicaid shortfall and childcare crisis, it would be difficult for me to vote against this opportunity. If a bill is filed, I look forward to a robust debate on the topic.
If you have any comments or views on this possible move, please reach out to my office at h82@iga.in.gov.
Grant for battery education program
Allen County has recently received a federal grant to launch a $1.7 million statewide battery awareness campaign. Since February of this year, Allen County has had 14 lithium battery-related fires.
The Stop the Spark campaign will work with the community to educate neighbors on how to properly dispose of lithium batteries. The initiative is a partnership between the Allen County Department of Environmental Management and Purdue University Fort Wayne.
For more information on how to safely recycle batteries, click here.
In service,
Kyle Miller