INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Gov. Mitch Daniels’ signed a bill that could increase the use of E85 – a blend of 15 percent petroleum-based gasoline and 85 percent ethanol – on campuses and school grounds throughout the state.

House Enrolled Act 1193 was passed in overwhelming fashion by both the Senate and House of Representatives.

“Grants to invest in E85 pumps and fuel tanks are currently available to retailers and local governments,” sponsor State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) said. “This legislation would extend those grant opportunities to school corporations and universities so they can install E85 fuel tanks on campuses.”

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed a bill that could increase the use of E85 on campuses and school grounds throughout the state.

Alting said by increasing the availability of E85 on school grounds and campuses, more flex fuel and biodiesel vehicles could be included in the fleets used to transport students and driven by faculty. House Bill 1193 could also save schools money by giving them access to state tax breaks and incentives currently offered for those who produce and/or use biofuels.

Businesses like Crystal Flash Petroleum in Marion County and Family Express Corp. in LaPorte County have already taken advantage of the grants which became available last year and have since provided more than $135,000 for E85 sales, according to Alting. Funding for these grants comes from corn check-off funds and has no cost to Indiana taxpayers.

Indiana’s office of Energy and Defense Development says that E85 is a clean burning, high octane fuel derived from renewable sources produced in the United States, thus reducing the nation’s demand on foreign sources of energy. E85 decreases the harmful emissions found in gasoline while increasing the fuel’s octane rating.

“There is a growing opportunity for our state to be one of the nation’s leaders in promoting the use of renewable fuels,” Alting said. “Hoosiers are some of the country’s largest producers of corn and soybeans – products used to create biofuels.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) announced today that Lafayette qualifies for a $750,000 federal grant to move forward with wastewater system updates.

Alting said the grant monies were made available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and he has supported the wastewater improvement projects for several years.

This is one of the state’s first stimulus water projects to be announced.

“These stimulus funds will save residents from having to assume the financial burden and pay higher fees to fund necessary infrastructure improvements,” Alting said. “Not only will this investment in water infrastructure help to serve current residents by improving water quality, it will also prepare the community of Lafayette for future economic development opportunities.”

Alting said the recovery act will distribute about $125 million in funds to the Indiana State Revolving Fund (SRF), a program managed by the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) that provides loans and grants to communities for wastewater and drinking water projects.

For more information about the SRF Loan Program, visit the IFA Web site at www.in.gov/srf.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -– State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) will present the Purdue University men’s and women’s basketball teams today with Senate Concurrent Resolutions honoring their successful seasons.

The Boilermaker men made history with their first Big Ten Tournament Championship this year, beating Ohio State Buckeyes 65-61 after trailing by five at halftime. Purdue also defeated Penn State and Illinois on the way to the final game.

Boilermaker men made history with their first Big Ten Tournament Championship this year, beating Ohio State Buckeyes 65-61 after trailing by five at halftime.

“This is one of the most determined teams I’ve seen out of West Lafayette,” Alting said. “Injuries, illness and a couple of bad games couldn’t keep these players down, so they were very deserving of the big win.”

This year’s championship played a role in helping Purdue enter the NCAA tournament as the number five seed in the West Regional, according to Alting. For the first time since 2000, the Boilermakers advanced in the national tournament to the Sweet Sixteen.

Men’s head coach Matt Painter is in his fourth season at Purdue and was named 2008 Big Ten Coach of the Year. Painter and his team contributed to Purdue’s claim on the record for most wins in the Big Ten Tournament Championship and becoming the only Big Ten School with winning records against every basketball program in the conference.

“Both the men and women’s teams showed the entire state what can happen when team work is the focus,” Alting said.

Women’s head coach Sharon Versyp is in her third season in Lafayette and she led her team to a second place finish in the Big Ten Tournament. Purdue’s Women’s Basketball team was one of only three Big Ten teams to move on to this year’s national tournament. The Boilermaker women advanced to the Elite Eight.

“Indiana is a state known for its love for basketball,” Alting said. “Purdue Boilermakers are carrying on a Hoosier tradition with both teams giving impressive showings on the national level.”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Purdue University’s need to update and renovate their campus medical facility and student recreation center may be fulfilled as newly-released state budget figures include funding for those projects.

State Sens. Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield) and Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) worked to include Purdue’s funding in the planned $28.1 billion, two-year state budget released today by Senate Republicans.

Hershman, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said in anticipation of a state and national shortage of physicians, the Indiana University School of Medicine in Lafayette plans to increase class sizes by 30 percent over the next few years.

“One of the prevailing health care issues today is the decline in medical school graduates,” Hershman said. “Currently, Indiana University School of Medicine in Lafayette does not have the classroom space or modern equipment to help meet these demands. With the help of this funding the school can offer more opportunities for students in a technologically advanced facility.”

Curriculum in the Lafayette medical facility includes a variety of academic experiences in addition to traditional lectures and laboratories. Small group discussions, case-based problem learning, clinical experiences, and service learning project are used to help develop lifelong-learning skills.

Alting said at the request of students, plans for the Recreational Sports Center – including a multi-purpose recreational pool, a multi-story atrium and a wellness wing – may move forward. Plans for the wellness wing include a juice bar, a connecting hallway between the recreation pool and the existing pool as well as a demonstration kitchen.

“Renovations will not be paid for with tax dollars but through minimal increases in student fees. Increased space for students and improved programming will also bring Purdue in line with other Big 10 schools, contribute to the wellness of students and add much-needed jobs,” Alting said. “The renovation and expansion of the recreational center will create more opportunities for weight training, jogging, walking and group exercise.”

Average Big 10 recreational centers allocate 11.8 square feet per student, compared to Purdue’s 7.8. Several Big 10 schools have plans for improvement, and when completed, the average square footage will increase to 15.4 square feet per student, which is approximately 97 percent more space per student than available at Purdue.

Hershman said Purdue students received more than $19 million from State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana’s grants in the 2007 to 2008 school year. Hershman said that amount could significantly increase next year as the amount of monies available to Hoosier students are expected to increase by 15 percent.

“Lawmakers were able to hold overall spending at or below fiscal year 2009 numbers while increasing funding for Purdue in several key areas,” Hershman said.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Arni’s Restaurant and thousands of other eating establishments are represented by Indiana’s Restaurant Association, the voice of the state’s largest employer in the private sector.

Brad Cohen (right), owner of Arni’s Restaurant, joins State Sen. Ron Alting (left) in honoring Indiana’s Restaurant Association at a Statehouse ceremony Tuesday. Arni’s Restaurant and thousands of other eating establishments are represented by the organization that Alting and other lawmakers credit for improving the restaurant industry and creating positive dining experiences for patrons.

Brad Cohen, owner of Arni’s, joined State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) today in honoring the association that has worked to improve the restaurant industry and create positive dining experiences for patrons.

“With more than 295,000 workers, Indiana’s restaurants are an important part of the state’s economy and a key driver of employment,” Alting said. “Their sales also generate tremendous tax revenues for the state.”

According to Alting, restaurant jobs represent 10 percent of the state’s total employment and nearly 32 jobs are created for each additional $1 million spent in establishments. Alting said 2009 projections show the states’ restaurants will register $8.6 billion in sales. In addition, every $1 spent in Indiana’s restaurants generates an extra $1.06 in sales for Indiana’s economy.

“Not only do restaurants offer places for friends and family to gather, they employ more minority managers than any other industry,” Alting said. “One of my first jobs, like nearly 25 percent of other adults, was in food service. Because of this, I learned skills that have helped me throughout my entire life, how to relate to people, control waste and handle money.”

Indiana’s Restaurant Association – established in 1933 – provides educational, networking and job opportunities, among other benefits to members.

“Hoosiers wanting to learn more about the association or how to join can visit www.indianarestaurants.org ,” Alting said. “And if you haven’t visited one of Arni’s Restaurants yet, you are missing out on some great pizza, sandwiches and salads.”