Hershman named Senate Majority Whip

State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) is the new Senate Majority Whip. He was appointed to the leadership position by Senate President Pro T e m p o r e David Long ( R - F o r t Wayne). "Senator Hershman has proven himself to be a leader and an expert in an array of policy areas," Long said. "I am confident he will serve his caucus and his constituency well in this leadership role."

As part of the top leadership team of the Senate, Hershman will work with the President Pro Tempore and the Majority Floor Leader in advancing the Senate's legislative agenda.

Hershman was also named as the chairman of the newly formed Senate Utility and Regulatory Affairs Committee. In that capacity, he will lead the committee that considers a variety of issues related to electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and other regulated utilities. Last year, Hershman authored a telecommunications reform bill widely regarded as the most sweeping and progressive bill in the nation. Since passage, the bill has resulted in excess of $300 million in new investment to provide high speed Internet access serving more than 33 new rural communities.

Hershman

Hershman will also serve as ranking member of the Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee. He will sit on three other committees as well - Agriculture and Small Business; Energy and Environmental Affairs; and Tax and Fiscal Policy.

Hershman was first elected to the Indiana Senate in 2000. He represents Senate District 7, which includes Carroll, Clinton, Howard, Jasper, Tippecanoe, and White counties.

Students may sign up to be Senate pages

State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield), is inviting local students to take part in the legislative process by serving as a page for a day. Students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, as spots are limited. The 2007 session is scheduled to begin Jan. 9 and end April 29.

Any student in grades 6 through 12 can sign up to be a page. The page office will try to accommodate requests for specific dates. Students will be excused from school for the day. Each page will need to arrive at the Statehouse by 8:30 a.m. Parents are responsible for transportation and students need to bring money for lunch. Lunch is available at the Indiana Government Center Cafeteria and the Circle Centre Mall food court, which are accessible without the student ever needing to go outside.

Pages will spend a day in the Senate assisting their local legislator, delivering messages and running errands. The day includes a tour of the Statehouse and observation of a session.

Those interested in serving as a page should send their name, age, address, phone number and school affiliation to: State Senator Brandt Hershman. You can also e-mail at S7@in.gov or call 1-800-382-9467.