According to a press release from the Lt. Governor’s office, the 2008 Hoosier Rising Star Award was launched in February “in an effort to acknowledge the contributions youth make in our communities…Hoosiers are encouraged to nominate an outstanding youth in their community. Any student enrolled in grades K-12 during the 2007-08 school year is eligible.” Up to five awards will be given out, and nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, April 1, 2008. As the release states, “Nominations may be supplemented by the student’s resume or biography, up to three letters of recommendation, and any relevant press clippings.” The 2008 Hoosier Rising Stars will be announced this summer. Please contact Noelle Stock in the Lt. Governor’s office at 317.232.4545 for further information.
Nominations for the statewide Mr./Ms. Math and Mr./Ms. Science Awards are also due soon – on April 4, 2008. This program will recognize high achieving students in math and science, much in the way that athletics are recognized annually with the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards. Teachers may nominate students for Mr./Ms. Math or Science, or students may apply for the honor themselves.
Hoosier Rising Star Award: http://www.in.gov/lg/2864.htm
Nomination Form: http://www.in.gov/lg/files/HoosierRisingStarAward_nomination_form.pdf
Mr./Miss Math or Mr./Miss Science: https://secure.in.gov/apps/mathscienceawards/
MONEY IN YOUR POCKET
Times are tough these days, but recent news from the Governor’s office and the IRS may buoy flagging spirits. Governor Mitch Daniels signed HEA 1001, the property tax relief bill, into law earlier this week. Highlights of the new law, including the limits on property tax and changes in assessment procedures, can be found on the Governor’s website. You can also listen to an audio file of the signing ceremony conducted on March 19.
Governor’s Property Tax Relief Bill Overview: http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Property_Tax_Summary.pdf <
Governor’s news conference audio file: http://www.in.gov/gov/files/Audio/031908_HEA1001_signing_ceremony.mp3
The IRS is sending out informational letters regarding the Economic Stimulus package payments that are expected to start going out in early May. Please note that some people who ordinarily do not have to file a tax return may be eligible for this payment, and will need to file a return by April 15 to receive the payment. Check out the IRS website for more information about who is eligible to receive a payment.
The news release contains information about payment scams that are already circulating as well as information about Free File, a free tax filing program in collaboration with certified tax preparers for tax filers under a certain income cap. The IRS has also posted an interactive Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator to help tax files determine the amount they can expect to receive and a payment schedule.
IRS Economic Stimulus Payment information: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177937,00.html
Payment Schedule: http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html
by Katharine Springer & Jesse Lewis