Baird, Bray reflect on legislative session

District 44 State Representative Jim Baird [Click to enlarge]

"I am extremely proud of what we accomplished together this legislative session," Baird said. "Though met with many challenges this session, the 2012 session continued to support a strong Indiana.

"Working hard, we took steps forward for Indiana," Baird continued. "We maintained our commitment to finding avenues to make Indiana's job climate one that attracts businesses here and gets Hoosiers back to work."

District 37 State Sen. Richard Bray [Click to enlarge]

"The more time our students have with great teachers, the better off they are," Baird stressed. "We focused on early education for our children by passing legislation that doubles the funding for full-day kindergarten in Indiana.

"Also, a portion of excess reserves has been set aside for the Pension Stabilization Fund for teachers, and we also made improvements to the Automatic Taxpayer Refund so Hoosiers will see a meaningful tax refund."

Baird represents District 44, which includes a portion of Clay County, in addition to all of Putnam County, and parts of Parke and Vigo counties. He is a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.

Meanwhile, as Baird was completing his second year and his first term in the statehouse, District 37 State Sen. Richard Bray (R-Martinsville) was finishing his 38-year career (20 years in the State Senate and 18 in the House).

"As this legislative session comes to a close," Bray said, "I feel truly blessed to have made many memories and friends during my tenure in the Indiana General Assembly.

"As I leave the Senate, I thank my fellow colleagues who have supported and challenged me throughout the years I've served in the statehouse," the 77-year-old Bray added.