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Senators take up Ford’s causes

January 25, 2008

By Maribeth Holtz 

INDIANAPOLIS - State Sen. David Ford’s bills will be pushed forward, despite his critical illness.Ford, R-Hartford City, is hospitalized at Fort Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital with cancer, his family confirmed this week. In Ford’s absence and with his approval, President Pro Tem David C. Long asked chairs of senate committees to name themselves as co-authors of bills and advance Ford’s bills if possible.

“We’ve remained in near-constant contact with Sen. Ford and his family,” Long said in a news release. “We’ve assured them we will carry on his battles here, while they fight the good fight on the home front.” Ford, 58, who represents part of Grant County, was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms Jan. 15. He underwent surgery Jan. 18, and oncologists confirmed a prognosis of cancer Tuesday.While some of Ford’s bills are being taken on by co-authors who already were associated with them, others have been taken on anew by senators.

Six of Ford’s bills now being pushed through the Indiana General Assembly are:

  • Senate Bill 188, which protects businesses and consumers from price fixing. 
  • Senate Bill 189, which allows county governments to support 4-H organizations. It also requires the reporting of contagious diseases among animals within 48 hours of detection. 
  • Senate Bill 190, which updates Indiana law concerning animals and agriculture. 
  • Senate Bill 197, which excludes utilities, medical insurance and rent from special treatment within governmental contracts. 
  • Senate Bill 257, which allows for the electronic filing of a contractor’s hold or mechanic’s lien because of an outstanding payment which could result in foreclosure. 
  • Senate Bill 314, which keeps confidential the financial or application information submitted to the Indiana Department of Agriculture.

    • Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, who also represents part of Grant County, said Thursday that Ford is very well respected by his peers. He said even people whose philosophies differ from Ford’s respect that he’s honest, trustworthy and dedicated.

    “Every time I think of the difficulty that David Ford is going through, my heart physically hurts,” Kenley said. “He’s such a great person.”

    http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080125/NEWS01/801250339/1002

     

     



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