Meltzer to begin term as state rep – The Republic
A new state representative who represents parts of Bartholomew County will begin her first term as a lawmaker on Jan. 9.
Shelbyville City Attorney Jennifer Meltzer was elected the District 73 state representative in November. While that district had belonged to J. Michael Davisson, the 38-year-old Meltzer said redistricting changed quite a few boundaries.
“It’s basically Sean Eberhart’s old seat, as far as Bartholomew County is concerned,” said Meltzer, a Shelbyville Republican who also represents portions of Decatur, Jennings and Shelby counties.
Eberhart represented the former District 57 and left office on Nov. 9. Meltzer was sworn in that same day, with her current term expected to end on Nov. 6, 2024. She will serve on the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and the House Local Government Committee.
The new District 73 extends from the north side of Shelbyville south into Hope, Geneva, Saint Paul, and Greensburg. While Meltzer’s district includes the Columbus Municipal Airport, the boundaries go east of the Columbus city limits.
In the Republican primary, Meltzer received nearly 57% of the vote, giving her victories over opponents Bob Carmony and Edward Comstock II. Last month, she garnered nearly 77% of the vote, defeating Democrat Mimi Pruett.
The wife of Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Trent Meltzer describes herself as being passionate about mental health and education, which she anticipates will be significant topics during the upcoming legislative session. Meltzer also says she anticipates taxes will be a significant concern, as well as finding ways to help Hoosiers financially struggling with inflation.
But the new state lawmaker says she’s also passionate about preserving local control of government.
“I think it’s important that each level of government stay in their own lane, Meltzer said. “The federal government should worry about federal concerns, the state should worry about what is at the state level, and locals should be allowed to run their governments the way they see fit.”
Meltzer also voiced opposition to unfunded mandates being given to states from the federal government, as well as state mandates handed down to local governments.
During her campaign, Meltzer largely stuck to the GOP line on the larger issues. She focused on being anti-abortion, pro-Second Amendment, against mandated vaccinations and for encouraging parents to have an active and ongoing voice in the education of their children.
“Good ideas will prevail, no matter what party they come from,” Meltzer said. “It just so happens that the Republican Party has a monopoly on those at this moment.”
But there is a controversial bill expected from her party next month that Meltzer is reserving judgement on at this time.
State Rep. Bob Behning, R-Indianapolis, says the proposal would restrict discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in school. The proposed legislation will be similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Behning said.
Meltzer said she will need to see the specific language in the bill after it is introduced.
“But I think education should be kept to be what education is about,” she said. “Math, science and reading. Not necessarily all of the fluff that we’re seeing in some of our school districts.”
As long as the proposal is constitutional and doesn’t violation federal civil rights laws, Meltzer said “I think it’s definitely something that I can support.
On the topic of opioid settlements with large pharmaceutical companies, the Shelbyville lawmaker says the funds need to be channeled directly to local communities who have been on the frontlines of responding to the opioid epidemic for years.
“Local communities shouldn’t have to compete with each other for these funds,” Meltzer said.