Well, it’s been another week, and it’s time for another update on how things are going. As mentioned last week, I released the follow up video to my Education Video, and I kicked off my Community Roundtable Tour in Otterbein. I also took some time to accompany my niece on a school fieldtrip to Prophetstown State Park, which wasn’t really campaign related, but it was nice to visit a place near my hometown with such historical relevance.
If you don’t recall, there were some strong reactions to the Education Video I put out a few weeks ago. Not so much the whole video, but there are some who adamantly oppose public support for private or charter schools, so I felt like I needed to clarify my position a little better. The opposition these schools face isn’t so much with the schools themselves as it is the funding system that our state has imposed on us, in which revenue is actually diverted from public schools and given to these schools instead. It really is a shame, because this creates unnecessary division. The education of Hoosier children should come before partisan politics. In my follow up education video, I clarified that we need to stop robbing Peter to pay Paul, and ensure that public schools also receive fair and sufficient funding.
I wish I could say that Roundtable Tour kicked off with a success, but I want to be honest about the challenges that I face in this campaign. The fact is, I did not have a strong turnout. The truth is, I probably rushed the event in my eagerness to start the tour on the first day of Spring. I thought that it was a great use of symbolism, but I should have given the locals more notice. I also found it particularly difficult to get the word out to people about the event, as Otterbein is a pretty small town. I’ve taken some time to adjust my strategy for future roundtables, and I’ll be sure to go back and do some door-to-door canvassing to make sure the voices of those that live there are still heard.
Visiting Prophetstown State Park was good for the soul, and educational. If you didn’t already know, Prophetstown is named after Shawnee tribal leader, Tenskwatawa, otherwise known as ‘The Prophet.’ The park commemorates the Native American village that he and his brother, Chief Tecumseh, founded in 1808, which became one of the largest multi-tribal indigenous settlements in the early 1800’s. In fact, its size became so notable that then Indiana Governor William Henry Harrison sent the Army to set up camp next to them in 1811. In the absence of Tecumseh, the settlement’s chief warrior and strategist, Tenskwatawa made the command decision to launch a surprise attack on the Army, which would come to be known as the Battle of Tippecanoe, a critical conflict in Tecumseh’s Rebellion that ultimately cost them the settlement.
I was finally able wrap up my door-to-door canvassing in my own neighborhood. I felt like that was the most natural place to start collecting signatures for ballot access. I’m pleased to say that I did pretty well. Of the people that were home, or at least willing to open the door, I had an overwhelmingly positive response. Almost everyone that I talked to signed my petition, and I am so very grateful to have such pleasant neighbors.
This week, the kids are on Spring Break, and we are still living out of a hotel, so it has been challenging to focus on the campaign. I’ve still managed to get most of my work done without falling behind, though. I’ve just had to get creative with my schedule.
On Monday, I went to FBFM outreach event to gain some insight into agricultural economics. I have to admit that I left with more questions than answers about how farm economics work, but with those questions I will be able to educate myself more. One thing that I have learned in my life is that, often times, having the right questions can be just as valuable as having the right answers because it gives you a place to build from. I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Michael Langemeier, Director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture and Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, who was receptive to future collaboration in the interest of boosting Indiana’s Agricultural sector.
I also wanted to give a quick update on Montezuma Elementary School. If you recall, I’ve been traveling back and forth each week trying to help the community to save their beloved school from consolidation efforts by their school corporation. I am pleased to report that we got some great news this last week: They have found a charter school company to help them keep the school open. At this point, they need only to acquire the school building itself and verify enrollment of a 140-student threshold. The former is all but assured, as long as everybody follows the law and no one tries to throw a monkey wrench in the process. And they are already about halfway to the 140-student threshold. Considering the school currently is serving over 200 students, it’s fair to say that this is a very achievable goal. If you live in the area, we hope that you can come out and support our efforts by attending a very special Easter Egg hunt at Aztec Park in Montezuma on April 4th at 4 P.M.
Finally, I published the beginning framework for my centerpiece legislative effort yesterday, entitled “Indiana Anti-Corruption and Government Accountability Act.” It is still a work in process, but it is already shaping up to be the most comprehensive anti-corruption legislation in Indiana’s history. There’s still a lot of work that I know needs to go into the framing and language of the bill, but this is probably the most important thing that I will do as an Indiana State Senator. Soon, I will be seeking out other early collaborators to help build a strong coalition around this effort so that it stands a better chance of passing into law. For now, though, I’m going to learn from the lessons I learned from my Education Videos: It’s hard to fit a complex idea into a short video, so I will be breaking the different sections of the Bill up and making videos about each over the course of the next week.
Speaking of the coming week, here’s what’s ahead: The anti-corruption videos of course, joining with my neighbors to support them in their efforts to combat yet ANOTHER industrial solar field in our very own neighborhood, and the No Kings protest on Saturday. I know some of my more conservative friends and constituents might be taken aback by my participation in the No Kings event, but I want you to know this isn’t about being opposed to traditional conservative values. I support ideals, values, and constructive traditions on both sides of the aisle, just like most Americans. In order for us to ‘Do Better,’ though, We the People must cast a light on the extremes of society and say, “No more.” Until next time, District 23, have yourselves a better-than-great weekend. I’ll be thinking about ya.
Genuinely,
Joshua Brant
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