Dear Members and Friends,
The 2013 Legislative session proved to be a productive few months for recycling in Indiana.
As you are likely aware, the IRC lobbied for the reinstatement of Indiana’s previously frozen recycling grant funds. We asked for a $3.4 million annual appropriation, much more than the $500,000 annual appropriation in the original biennial state budget bill. After a major advocacy effort, our full request was added to the budget and for a few weeks it stayed there. However, in the final two days of the session, the appropriation was cut back to $1 million per year. While this was not all we had hoped for we still succeeded in doubling the budget for recycling grants and that represents progress!
Thanks to all of you who reached out to legislators in support of the funding request - your support was critical to this success.
In addition, half way through the session the House and Senate environmental committees hosted a rare joint hearing focused solely on recycling. The hearing presented a unique opportunity for the IRC to discuss the powerful connection between recycling and Indiana’s economy, namely the opportunity to grow jobs while supporting Indiana’s manufacturers who are clamoring for recycled commodities. Much media attention came from this hearing, notably this article in the Indianapolis Star.
We look forward to participating in another anticipated legislative study committee meeting later this year focused solely on ways to advance recycling in Indiana.
In the meantime, we have commissioned an Indiana-specific economic impact study to determine just how much of an effect increased recycling would have on our state’s economy.
None of this work would be possible without the support of our friends, members, donors, corporate sponsors and grantors. Thank you!
At the state policy level we have more to do, but momentum is building and with your help the IRC believes we can make even greater strides in the coming year.
Let’s keep working together.
Sustainably yours,
Carey Hamilton
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