District 20

Dermody sponsors bill to have criminals pay parole expenses

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:48:17 -0500

The Michigan City News-Dispatch has a good editorial about a Dermody sponsored bill that would have parolees pay for parole expenses.

The idea of having parolees pay for their own parole is an idea that strikes a chord. State Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, thinks so, anyway. He was a co-sponsor of a measure that has passed both houses of the General Assembly that would require men and women on parole in Indiana to pay for mandated treatment and other expenses.

A strong argument can be made that it is unfair to have taxpayers foot the bill for that treatment.

Dermody said it is time to end a "free pass" for parolees. "I am in favor of rehabilitating those who were incarcerated and I can think of no better way to teach responsibility than asking them to contribute in a monetary way for their own well-being," said Dermody.

Rep. Dermody bill strengthens Indiana homeland security

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:52:52 -0500

The Michigan City News Dispatch published a short article about Senate Bill 241, co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Dermody, that would improve homeland security in Indiana.

The Indiana House of Representatives has unanimously passed Senate Bill 241, which is intended to improve homeland security in Indiana. Rep. Tom Dermody, R-La Porte, was a co-sponsor of the bill that passed by a 93-0 vote. The bill expands the state disaster relief fund to allow for financial assistance to be utilized by local governments for repairing, replacing or restoring public facilities and residential properties damaged or destroyed by a disaster. "This bill makes some important improvements to our disaster and security response methods here in Indiana," said Dermody. "Ensuring that our cities and towns are financially reimbursed for their efforts after they clean up a disaster site is only fair, in view of the fact that they are the ones doing the work." SB 241 was returned to the Senate, which had passed the bill 47-0, with amendments. Differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill will be resolved by a conference committee.

Tom Dermody Working to Promote Long Term Solutions to the Property Tax Crisis

lindsay — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:13:50 -0500

Rep. Dermody highlighted ways, along with other members of his caucus, to solve the property tax problem facing many Hoosiers across the state. Read the entire article here.