Apply today to intern at the Indiana Statehouse

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 6, 2017) – Indiana House Republicans are now accepting internship applications for the 2018 legislative session, according to State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola).

Wesco said the House Republican Internship Program is a unique opportunity to participate in state government at the Indiana Statehouse while gaining valuable skills for the workforce. This paid program during the spring semester gives college students the chance to work one-on-one with state legislators while seeing firsthand how laws are made.

“Interning with the House of Representatives provides students opportunities to learn more about state government while building their resumes,” Wesco said. “Former interns have gone on to work as full-time staff in the House of Representatives, state agencies and in the private sector.”

Internships are open to college sophomores, juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates of all majors. Students can apply for internships in a variety of areas, focusing on legislative, communications, policy, fiscal policy and technology. These are full-time positions, Monday through Friday, lasting from January through mid-March.

In addition to getting paid $750 every two weeks, students can earn academic credit through their college or university, and are eligible to apply for a competitive $3,000 scholarship to use toward undergraduate or graduate expenses. Wesco said this one-of-a-kind experience also offers networking opportunities and could open the door to a career. 

For a list of career fairs and recruitment events House staff members will be attending this fall, visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com/recruitment.

More information about the internship program or the application process can be found at www.indianahouserepublicans.com/internship. The application deadline is Oct. 31.

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