There’s an elephant in the room

The Pink Elephant is back.  For those of you who don't remember or weren't here, the Pink Elephant is a column I wrote last fall.  I worked at the Statehouse last spring, but now I am back in Terre Haute for my last year—and pretty excited about it.  

Last year, my focus trended towards national politics, and while I still think they're important and will continue to write about them, I'd like to bring a new element to the Pink Elephant:  state and local politics.  

Unfortunately, state and local politics often get less attention than national politics, especially from students.  The topics aren't as flashy, but these are the politics that most directly affect us.

The state legislature holds a session each January to make laws for the year.  On even years, the session ends March 14 and on odd years, April 29. During the odd year,  "long sessions" last until April because this is when the state passes a budget for the next two years.  

Why is this important?  The budget decides how much money will be spent on everything the state pays for, including funding for state colleges such as ISU.  

As part of the budgetary process, each state-funded college must make a presentation before the Ways and Means-the House committee that creates the initial budget, explaining what they've been spending their money on and why they need however much for the coming budget.  

The amount of money the college receives plays a large factor in how much tuition we have to pay each year.  

Do you think tuition rates are too high?  State politics definitely impact your life.

Another big topic this year at the Statehouse was a proposed smoking ban.  Smoking is banned on campus except for specified areas, but if you are a smoker, you have many other options in Terre Haute.  Under the proposed smoking ban, those options would have been restricted even further.  The initial smoking ban would have made all nursing homes, restaurants including bars, casinos and clubs smoke-free.  Even if you don't smoke, the ban would have had implications beyond merely smokers.  

Opponents of the bill included business owners who were worried about the economic impact of a smoking ban.  If these businesses start to lose money, they're probably going to either lay-off workers or stop hiring new ones and may even raise their prices.

These are just a few things that affect college students now.  Once you get a job, get married and buy a house, you start to see how much state and local politics really affect your life.  State regulations are everywhere, from taxes to licensing and housing.  Not to mention road upkeep and education policy.  

So, my challenge to you this week is simple:  Take a moment to reflect how politics, good and bad, affect your life.  Then check back to read what's new.