Wesco to serve on key summer study committees

STATEHOUSE (July 5, 2017) — State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) was recently named to four summer study committees, which examine assigned topics, gather testimonies and recommend potential legislation.

Wesco is assigned to the Interim Study Committee on Elections, the Interim Study Committee on Employment and Labor, the Interim Study Committee on Public Policy and the Joint Committee on Judiciary and Public Policy.

“As a member of the Interim Study Committee on Elections, we will examine how policy changes to Indiana election law have affected voter participation and election results,” Wesco said. “I look forward to working with fellow lawmakers this summer, holding discussions on important topics in all of these study committees.”

Wesco said interim study committee hearings, which typically occur at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, can be viewed live online at iga.in.gov. This site also provides committee calendars and meeting agendas. Members of the public are welcomed to attend and testify.

New law removes requirement for natural hair braiding in Indiana

STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2017) — Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law State Rep. Tim Wesco’s (R-Osceola) bill removing the cosmetologist licensing requirement to practice natural hair braiding in the state.

Previously, braiders could only work if they first obtained a cosmetology license, which requires at least 1,500 hours of training. However, many cosmetology schools do not teach natural braiding.

“The regulation stopped braiders from earning an honest living,” Wesco said. “One woman moved to Texas because she couldn’t legally start a hair braiding business here. If someone with this talent wants to practice their craft, they should be able to do so with no penalties.”

Wesco said before now, people who practiced without a license faced a Class C infraction with a $500 fine.

This law only applies to natural hair braiding services. Hair braiding that requires the use of chemicals, such as for hair relaxation or hair coloring, still requires a license.

House Enrolled Act 1243 will go into effect on July 1. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about this legislation.

2016 Short Session Begins Today!

Good Morning! 

What an exciting day to kick off the 2016 Short Session of the Indiana General Assembly in earnest! It's hard to believe that this is the 6th Session that I've had the privilege of representing my friends and neighbors in House District 21. I love serving the good people of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties in the Indiana House! 

Each year, we begin the first day of Session with a prayer service in the Statehouse Atrium. This is a wonderful, bi-partisan, voluntary opportunity to acknowledge Almighty God and to seek His wisdom and blessing in the affairs of our State. Just as our forefathers gratefully acknowledged Him in the Preamble of our 1851 State Constitution, so too, do we.

Things typically start out slowly the first week. Bills have to be handed down on first reading and assigned to committees by the Speaker before they can be acted upon. I expect we'll see committees begin to hear bills Monday of next week and the process will be in full swing by later next week. This Session promises to be a whirlwind, wrapping up no later than March 15, a mere ten weeks! If a bill is not passed out of committee in the first four weeks, it will be considered dead. Many bills will not be heard (and that is a good thing!).  

2016 is a landmark year for our State as we celebrate Indiana's Bicentennial!  There will be many celebrations across our State and I hope you take time to participate! 

Thanks for reading! If you're interested in following the Legislature closely or are interested in any particular issue, see our website iga.in.gov. There you can watch all of our Sessions and Committee meetings live or on-demand and closely follow action on any piece of Legislation. 

In God we Trust! 

Tim Wesco

Reception with LG Ellspermann in support of Rep. Wesco!

Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann highlighted an event in support of Rep. Tim Wesco on Tuesday, September 3 at Allegro Home Entertainment. Many thanks to all of our hosts, sponsors, and attendees for their support!  We had a full house with nearly 70 people in attendance!

 Rep. Wesco and his wife Kathryn with Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann. Wesco and Ellspermann were both elected to the Indiana House in 2010 and served in the same class. 

 LG Sue Ellspermann addressing the crowd. 

Rep. Wesco speaking. 

 Guests making their selections of  gourmet H'orderves provided by Jenny Krantz! 

 LG Sue Ellspermann sharing in conversation with the guests. 

Guests enjoying the reception and conversation. 

 Rep. Wesco shares a lighter moment with St. Joseph County Councilman Jamie O'Brien and Brad Toothaker... 

...and a more serious moment with Elkhart County Councilman John Letherman! 

Wesco Peddle Power at the Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival Parade!

We have great times walking parades and seeing all of the people. Over 5000 people lined up along this route in Wakarusa!

Don't miss out! Join us at our next parade!

2014 Session of the Indiana General Assembly Successfully Completed!

(My wife, Katie, and I celebrating the end of Session!) 

Another Session of the Indiana General Assembly has concluded! Among the achievements of this Session, were SEA 1, which will give local communities more options to reduce taxes and attract businesses and jobs; HEA 1002, which transfers up to $400 million for major road funding, allowing Indiana to be eligible for more than $1.6 billion in additional federal funds; HEA 1003, which addresses the skills gap by providing incentives to employers who partner with education institutions to provide internships; and HEA 1005, which helps reduce government bureaucracy by cutting red tape and eliminating burdensome regulations.  

Tim Wesco Files for Reelection in House District 21

“Today I filed my candidacy for the continued privilege of representing the people of House District 21 in Indianapolis. It has been an honor for me to serve every day of Session on the House floor, voting my conscience and the will of my constituents. True to my word, I have supported a strong economy, fiscal responsibility and family values throughout these my first two terms in office. 

“I will continue to represent House District 21 with integrity and honest hard work and I look forward to the opportunity to once again seek out the support of the people.”  

Indiana House District 21 includes Osceola and parts of Penn Township in St. Joe County; parts of Elkhart, Dunlap, the town of Wakarusa, and Baugo, Olive, and Harrison Townships as well as much of Concord Township in Elkhart County. (See map here.)