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To The Unconquerable Host of Africans Who Are Laying Their Sacrifices Upon The Editorial Altar For Their Race •C•P•V•S• AUDITED BY
VOLUME XXXXVIII NUMBER 43 — FEBRUARY 27, 2010
PUBLISHED SINCE 1961
25 Cents and worth more
Brown sponsored health care bills gains house approval INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana House of Representatives showed overwhelming support for four separate Senate bills sponsored by State Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary) this week. Brown continues to serve as a strong advocate for Indiana’s health in the Indiana General Assembly this session. Each of his four bills will allow more Hoosiers to lead healthier lives by creating new opportunities and increasing the quality of programs already in place. Since all four bills were passed by the Indiana House of Representatives with no amendments, they will advance to Governor Mitch Daniels for consideration. Senate Bill 46 would allow Indiana residents who are at least 16 years old to donate blood with written permission from their parents or guardians. “Though simple, Senate Bill 46 is incredibly important because it will allow young men and women to donate blood that could potentially save another’s life,” Brown said. Senate Bill 79 would affect Indiana Medicaid policy. SB 79 would allow the
Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to restrict the use of certain drugs by Hoosiers less than 18 years of age in certain circumstances. “This bill would also define ‘waste’ for purposes of the limits the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning may put on drug use under the Medicaid Program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program,” said Brown. SB 148 would require the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services to ensure that an entity approved to provide adult day services, day habilitation, or vocational services is accredited by a specified organization. “Senate Bill 148 will ensure that the programs Indiana has in place to help adults with disabilities are the best that we can provide by requiring that centers be accredited,” Brown said. Senate Bill 387 addresses the state of health for minorities in Indiana. SB 387 would establish the Office of Minority Health within the State Department of Health. “Statistics show that minorities in this (Continued on page 3)
STATE REPS. Charlie Brown, Vernon Smith and Sen. Earline Rogers held a legislative forum Saturday, February 20 at the Glen Theatre. The purpose of the forum was to provide an update on various pieces of legislation being considered in the Indiana House and Senate. (Photo by Lou Roldan)
Jackie Collins drawn his bid for re-election in the May 4 Democratic primary. Blumenberg has been embattled with DLGF Commissioner Timothy Rushen-
Jill Williams berg, after a “ratio study” revealed errors made by his office that was part of the countywide trending analysis. Rushenberg has stated the Calumet Township
Blumenberg out; Collins, Williams, Sharp vie for Assessor’s office By Carmen M. Woodson-Wray Surrounded by his ongoing fight with the state Department of Local Government Finance, Calumet Township Assessor Booker Blumenberg has with-
INSIDE THIS ISSUE NAACP Elects Rosalyn M. BrocK to Chair Board See Story on page 6
Matthew Sharp Assessor’s office is the only thing standing between Lake County taxpayers and their bills. (Continued on page 3)