Messmer Column: Indiana Senate meets for Organizational Day

This week, lawmakers from throughout the state met at the Statehouse for Organizational Day – the ceremonial beginning of the 123rd Indiana General Assembly.

Organizational Day includes swearing in new and returning members of the state legislature and I was honored to be sworn in again as your state senator.

This day also allows both the Senate and House of Representatives to organize in preparation for the 2023 legislative session.

The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time citizen legislature, which means lawmakers meet at the Statehouse to craft legislation for only a portion of the year. This allows Hoosiers to serve as representatives or senators while also being able to live and work in the communities they represent.

Here in Indiana, we alternate between "long" and "short" sessions. Even-numbered years are "short" sessions while odd-numbered years, like 2023, serve as "long" sessions. Long sessions are needed so lawmakers can draft and approve the state budget for the next two years.

In recent months, lawmakers, including myself, researched different issues and spoke with constituents across the state to determine what the legislature can do to help individuals, communities and businesses.

I look forward to returning to the Statehouse on Jan. 9 to represent Senate District 48 and tackle the important topics like approving a balanced budget and continuing to make Indiana a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Feel free to contact my office directly with your questions and concerns by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-382-9467.