INDIANAPOLIS -State Senator Frank Mrvan (D-Hammond) announced today the results of his 2010 Legislative Survey. Questionnaires were mailed to households throughout Senate District 1 and made available on his website in December 2009. Mrvan sought input from his constituents on a variety of issues that were anticipated to come before the 2010 General Assembly.

Texting while driving is one of the major legislative issues being discussed in the 2010 session. Indiana law currently prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using any type of mobile communications device while driving except to make 911 emergency calls. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they support the measure, while 13 percent said they oppose it.

This issue will now come before the Senate under House Bill 1279, which was approved by the Indiana House of Representatives. The bill would make texting while driving for all drivers a Class C infraction, with exceptions for hands-free or voice-operated devices.

The survey also included whether respondents supported or opposed placing the 1-2-3 percent tax caps into the state constitution. Eighty-five percent of respondents supported the measure with 15 percent saying they opposed the initiative. Contained in Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 1 which passed through the Senate with the support of Sen. Mrvan, it now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Respondents were asked whether they supported or opposed the retail sale of alcohol on Sundays. Fifty-six percent of respondents indicated that they support the measure and 44 percent indicated they oppose it. The retail sale of alcohol on Sundays and cold beer sales do not appear to have enough support to move through the legislature this year.

However, a few alcohol-related issues are still alive in the General Assembly, including Sunday carry-out for microbreweries, Election Day alcohol sales, and extended Sunday alcohol sales in businesses already permitted to sell on Sundays, including some restaurants.

Respondents were also asked if they supported or opposed a statewide smoking ban in public places. Seventy-five percent said they supported the initiative with 25 percent opposing the measure. A statewide smoking ban was approved in the House of Representatives, but it not expected to receive a hearing the Republican-controlled Senate.

Respondents were also asked whether they supported or opposed moving all municipal elections to an even-year cycle. Eighty-four percent of those that responded said they support the move and 16 percent said they oppose the measure. This provision is not actively moving through the General Assembly, but several election-related bills are, including one that would move all school board elections to the general election cycle beginning in 2010.

For the complete survey results and more information on Senator Mrvan please visit www.senatedemocrats.IN.gov.

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