U.S. Sens. Dan Coats, a Republican, and Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, voted for the deal. So did U.S. Reps. Pete Visclosky, D-1st District; District; Susan Brooks, R-5th District; Andre Carson, D-7th District; and Todd Young, R-9th District.

But U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski, R-2nd District; Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd District; Todd Rokita, R-4th; Luke Messer, R-6th District; and Larry Bucshon, R-8th District, voted no.

“I wanted to make sure to push the debt ceiling out as far as we could, and obviously, I would have liked it out farther,” Donnelly said in a conference call. He was one of 14 senators who helped put the deal together.

“I don’t think it will be like this again next time,” Donnelly said. “I can tell you that from everyone that I’ve talked to there is no appetite for a repeat of this in the Senate. I am hopeful that the House will feel the same way.”

The Senate bill had support from Republican House Speaker John Boehner but he needed Democrats to pass the legislation to President Barack Obama. It passed the House 285-144, with all Democrats voting yes and a majority of GOP members voting no.

“We fought a hard fought fight, but we’re coming up on the debt ceiling tonight,” Bucshon said. “The House Republicans will continue to fight for changes in Obamacare. We’re going to continue to fight to get our spending under control and get this government on a more fiscally sustainable pathway.”

But Republicans failed to get any of their initial Obamacare demands during the shutdown – the proposal doesn’t touch the medical device tax, it didn’t delay the individual mandate, nor defund the law.

The deal would require income verification for those seeking subsidies for their health insurance under the health care law. And it also retroactively pays furloughed federal workers.

Donnelly said he’s disappointed the deal doesn’t repeal the medical device tax but he said he’s hopeful the issue will be addressed in talks soon.

Young also said the repeal of the medical device tax is one place where lawmakers can look for common ground as they work toward the next budget deal.

“We must commit ourselves to avoiding the constant cycle of brinksmanship by working across party lines to address issues like job creation, stagnant personal incomes, our unsustainable national debt, and rising healthcare costs — and we must do that as soon as the current stalemate is resolved, not when we’re facing the next deadline,” Young said in a statement.

But Bucshon said he voted no in part because the Senate proposal didn’t repeal the medical device tax. And he said it raised the debt ceiling without any spending cut provisions.

“That doesn’t mean though it won’t pass,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I can’t support it for those reasons.”

Messer agreed.

“The bill does little to protect the American people from Obamacare or to protect our children and grandchildren from inheriting a mountain of debt,” he said in a statement Wednesday. Despite saying he refuses to vote for the Senate proposal, he said in the statement he’s “glad to see the shutdown ending,” referring to the likely votes the House has in Democrats and some Republicans.

“It’s time to get people back to work and time for Congress to move forward,” he said.

But Bucshon sees the measure as “kicking the can down the road,” and delaying the issues for a repeat of this fight early next year.

“I think the situation won’t be much difference once those dates come around,” he said.

In retrospect, he said, the media attention surrounding the shutdown and debt ceiling drama has overshadowed the problems Obamacare has had in rolling out the law.

“This is not just computer glitches, this is serous underlying problems with the structure of the health care law,” he said. “When people start to find out how much the deductibles are … and what the overall cost is of these health care plans, I think you’re going to see more attention put on it.”

 

Article by Jessic Wray of  SHFWire.com. 

 

Local News Briefs

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

HB1144 sparks concerns Pulaski County may lose its superior court

Update: Bill advances in state senate

The Indiana Senate voted 33-16 Tuesday (April 15) to advance legislation that would abolish 11 trial courts in mostly rural counties, including the Superior Court in Pulaski County. House Bill 1144 now returns to the House chamber for further consideration.

Among the state senators who voted in favor of the bill was Pulaski County’s representative in the upper chamber Ed Charbonneau.

Pulaski County Economic Development Summit April 29

The annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit is set for 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, at the Knights of Columbus hall, Winamac. The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

The keynote speaker will be Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. The program will also feature the annual “State of the County Economy” address by CDC executive director Nathan Origer.

PCPL lists programs, activities for April

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for April. They include a celebration of National Library Week, a kids’ caring for the environment program, a Ladybug Welcome Sign craft, and an Earth Day craft.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

PCT invites photographers to capture spirit of county in photo contest

Participate, share perspective on county

Pulaski County Tribe (PCT) has announced the launch of the "Embrace the Pace Pulaski County" photography contest, inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase life in Pulaski County through the lens of their cameras.

“With cash prizes and the opportunity to have your work displayed county-wide, this contest is an exciting way to celebrate the beauty and community of Pulaski County,” said Brandi Larkin, PCT president.

 

Indiana News

Southbound I-65 reopens in Jasper County following hazmat fire

ROSELAWN (April 22) - I-65 southbound reopened near mile marker 230 at approximately 6:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, almost 17 hours following a spectacular semi-truck fire and hazmat cleanup which included an overnight repaving of a section of the interstate. No injuries were reported.

After assessing the damage to the roadway, the Indiana Department of Transportation determined that the accident scene needed to be resurfaced. INDOT already has a contract in place for this area for pavement patching with Rieth-Riley Construction, and they were able to mobilize to take over the scene once cleanup was complete. A total of 7,700 square feet of asphalt to a depth of four inches (and six inches on the outside shoulder) had to be replaced overnight.

Braun signs package of executive orders to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’

INDIANAPOLIS (April 15) – Gov. Mike Braun Tuesday signed a landmark package of executive orders with initiatives to improve Indiana’s health and well-being.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance to support Indiana’s initiative. Indiana now joins a number of states that have embraced, through legislation or executive orders, Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.

2025 Indiana General Assembly: Bill Watch

Members of the Indiana General Assembly are working through proposed legislation on such topics such as education, health care, housing, property tax reform, responsible management of water resources, and much more. Gov. Mike Braun has now begun the process of signing passed legislation into law.

The 2025 legislative session runs January through April 29. This is a “long session” during which legislators will craft a two-year state budget. The status of bills under consideration, in both the House and Senate, may be viewed here: IGA | Bills for 2025 Session.  

DEA/ISP Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26

PERU – The Indiana State Police will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Saturday, April 26 for their 27th “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.

The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of unwanted prescription drugs.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles cases climb to 800 nationwide; 8 in Indiana

Also: respiratory illness updates

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21) — The Indiana Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of measles and working with local health officials to help stop the spread of infection. The current reported cases are connected to each other but at this time there are no known links to outbreaks in other states.

Eight cases have been reported in the Indiana, all in Allen County.

 

Post News

Pulaski Superior Court appears saved

INDIANAPOLIS (April 24) – Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made to HB1144 approved by both the state house and senate Thursday evening in the Indiana General Assembly.

The legislation is now pending the approval of Gov. Mike Braun.

Chamber presents Don, Lynn Darda with 2025 Halleck Award

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 Halleck Community Service Award to Don and Lynn Darda of Winamac at its annual award banquet Thursday evening (April 24), at the Winamac VFW.

The Dardas are both retired teachers in the Winamac schools and have been enthusiastic volunteers in a variety of projects throughout the years. 

Community Foundation awards $15,000 in grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) has announced $15,000 has been awarded in grants to local nonprofits and community organizations.

The following projects and organizations have received funding:

  • $5,000 to Pulaski County Historical Society – “We’re Moving!”
  • $10,000 to Pulaski Memorial Hospital – for a Community Health Worker

Alliance Junior Board visits BraunAbility

The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors had the opportunity to visit BraunAbility in Winamac in April.

During their visit, the student directors were given a presentation about the company and had the chance to ask questions. They also had a tour of the facility, which allowed them to see the manufacturing process of vehicles equipped to assist individuals with disabilities.

Jury finds Monterey man guilty of attempted murder 

WINAMAC – A Pulaski County Circuit Court jury has found a Monterey man guilty of attempted murder in connection with a July 3, 2023 shooting in downtown Monterey.

Kenneth D. Ketcahm, 41, was also convicted on additional charges of criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm. The verdict was returned Monday (April 14).

Fatal crash on U.S. 421 under Investigation

MEDARYVILLE (April 15) – The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a crash which claimed the life of a Porter County man Tuesday on U.S 421 near the intersection of CR 800N in Cass Township.

The crash involved a dump truck and minivan. Release of the identity of the deceased minivan driver is pending the notification of family.