Dant Chesser's Digest
Monthly Update for November
Welcome to Dant Chesser’s Digest, my monthly newsletter, where I will provide legislative and community updates for you as your state representative for House District 71. Please reach out to my office at h71@iga.in.gov if you have any questions or concerns or thoughts on what you’d like to see in this newsletter.
My Plan for Government Ethics Legislation After Corruption Scandal
On Oct. 22, I announced my intent to file government ethics legislative package during the 2025 legislative session. This package intends to strengthen ethical leadership and fiscal accountability. It’s essential that we start to rebuild the trust of our community following the sentencing of former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel for his misuse of local fire, EMS and commissary funds.
As a taxpayer, it’s extremely frustrating to learn that the hard-earned money you gave to your local government was misused. We need to protect against this abuse, and I am prepared to start ensuring accountability in our public processes. These will be the first of many proposals to rebuild trust in our public servants. Nobody likes their paycheck taxed, but you know that money will help fund your local schools, roads or emergency services. You trust those in power to act in your best interest. After what we’ve experienced in Clark County, it’s clear we need to have additional protocols in place to prevent fraud and mismanagement.
My legislative proposals include training on ethical and fiduciary duties for local officials, additional guidelines and oversight of commissary fund spending, and building on previous bipartisan work, like a 2024 law that increases public transparency when it comes to government contracts and spending.
Additionally, I plan to support local efforts to increase accountability. Sheriff Scottie Maples has taken new steps to provide transparency, including releasing detailed expenditure reports and revamping purchasing fund procedures to prevent future abuses. These proposals should be codified, so that even as the painful memories of our recent incidents fade, our commitment to transparency remains.
The hurt and broken trust that Clark County has experienced at the hands of someone who did not uphold their ethical and fiduciary duty to taxpayers is something we will feel for years to come. I look forward to working across the aisle to ensure our local officials serve with integrity as we work to restore the community's trust.
If you would like to read my full remarks on my ethics legislation, please click here.
Reminder: Submit Feedback on the Second Draft Diplomas!
Once again, thank you to those closely following the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) high school diploma redesign. I appreciate your willingness to participate, and the care and concern you show to the education of our students.
It’s important that our students are equipped with the classes they need for their futures. This includes college readiness courses, work-based learning and more. Our students should have ample opportunities, but we must provide a well-rounded, quality education.
As a reminder, the IDOE is accepting public feedback on the second draft diploma proposal until Nov. 8. If you would like to submit feedback, please click the button below:
There will also be a public hearing on the diploma proposal if you would like to share your feedback in person on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. ET in the Indiana Government Center South (302 W. Washington Street, Conference Room B, Indianapolis, Indiana).
To learn more about the second draft, click here to read a news article. You can also read through the official presentation from the IDOE here. As always, please reach out to my office at h71@iga.in.gov with any questions or concerns.
Relevant Articles
New report highlights Indiana’s Choice Scholarships as vouchers increase nationwide
Judge grants preliminary injunction request for Utica Township Fire Protection District
Jeffersonville County discusses establishment of tree board
Indiana sees some gains in health rankings, child mortality still a concern, report says
Experts talk about Indiana childcare issues and their effects
Why do some schools need referendums? Expert says property tax caps complicate funding
Southern Indiana residents, business owners depart to deliver hurricane relief donations
IU offering academic and college application support to low income students
In service,
Wendy
