INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today issued a proclamation calling a special session of the 120th Indiana General Assembly Monday, May 14, 2018. The Constitution of the State of Indiana provides that the governor may call a special session at his discretion if he believes public welfare requires it.

“I’m calling lawmakers back to take action on the critical issues of school safety and federal tax conformity,” Gov. Holcomb said. “And, with sharp focus, I’m confident they can finish this work in a single day.”

The Indiana University Public Policy Institute and The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are the hosts for a policy forum and workshop April 25 that will focus on how to expand economies and innovation-led job growth in smaller communities in Indiana. 

The public is invited to attend the forum, "Advancing Economic Development and Workforce Readiness in Micropolitan Areas," in person at Hine Hall, 875 North St. on the IUPUI campus, or via webcast. Participants are asked to register in advance.

Micropolitan areas – such as Noblesville – are labor-market areas centered on an urban area that has a population of at least 10,000 but fewer than 50,000 people.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is continuing a collaborative community effort, 500 Forward, to celebrate the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and the Month of May.

Now in its second year, 500 Forward harnesses the collective efforts of 13 partner organizations and countless individuals alongside IMS to offer programming and events that celebrate the Month of May and support a broad array of community initiatives.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is encouraging Hoosiers to plan ahead for weather events as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 18-24.

“While many parts of Indiana continue to experience flooding and damage from February, the arrival of spring historically brings a greater threat of severe weather in the region,” said IDHS Director Bryan Langley. “Severe Weather Preparedness Week provides a great reminder of the risks facing Indiana and the steps Hoosiers can take to prepare now – before the storm hits.”

All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) branches will be closed Friday, March 30 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Branches resume regularly scheduled business hours on Saturday, March 31.

For more information on branch locations and hours, BMV Connect self-service kiosk locations, or to complete an online transaction, please visit myBMV.com.

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Walthall and Indiana Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement Jim McClelland recently announced a new tool to help Hoosiers seeking treatment for substance use disorder immediately connect with available inpatient or residential treatment services.

This new tool is made possible by a partnership between the state, OpenBeds®, a software platform that manages health services, and Indiana 2-1-1, a non-profit organization that provides health care and other resource referrals to those in need. The partnership brings together OpenBeds® technology with Indiana 2-1-1’s database of service providers to give Hoosiers access to addiction treatment options in real time—as well as ongoing services when Hoosiers leave treatment to help them return to productive and fulfilling lives.

The Indiana Department of Revenue is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to share the top tax filing season concerns referred to as the “IRS Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2018.

The first scam in the 12-part series is “phishing” schemes, designed to gather personal information or money from the taxpayer. These new or evolving phishing schemes work specifically to target taxpayers during filing season.

Know a great senior citizen who just goes above and beyond for the community? Well, now's the chance to show how much you appreciate them as nominations are being accepted for the 2018 Golden Hoosier Awards.

“Visiting towns and cities throughout Indiana, I am always amazed by the dedication members of the community put forward to improve their home towns,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said. “Our senior citizens should be recognized among all of these amazing people, and I encourage those who know of a special neighbor to submit a nomination for someone in their community who has made a positive difference.”

Indiana Landmarks invites nominations for two annual awards accompanied by cash as well as the sculptures that represent the prizes. The Servaas Memorial Awards celebrate achievement in historic preservation and the Williamson Prize recognizes outstanding individual leadership in the field.

Indiana Landmarks presents Servaas Memorial Awards in two categories: nonprofit organization or public institution; and youth, which can go to a student, teacher, school, or youth-serving agency. Indiana Landmarks created the award in 1976 to honor Sandi Servaas, a dynamic young staff member who helped establish the direction of the preservation movement in Indiana before her early death.