It's an election year if you haven't noticed. Besides the Presidential and Governor's race we have some local races too.

Broad Ripple will be getting a new State Senator since RFRA sponsor Scott Schneider is not running for re-election. (He was one of 3 sponsors of the RFRA bill in 2015.)

Democrat Pam Hickman will face Republican John Ruckelshaus in Senate District 30 which includes Broad Ripple and runs up to Fishers.

It appears that neither candidate has a primary opponent. (Keith Potts (D) has decided not to run. Potts had been motivated by the RFRA issue.)

Hickman is the former at large city councilor. Her campaign manager, Aaron Schaler, told the Broad Ripple Gazette:

"For more than 35 years, Pam has served as a community leader to improve the lives of those in need and improve the education and health standards for the children and residents in central Indiana.

Pamela is a former school teacher, current small business owner, and served on the City-County Council (Indianapolis) from 2012-2016. . . .

Additionally Pam would like the Indiana General Assembly to focus on advancing alternative energy initiatives and believes that the rights of all Hoosiers should be protected."

John Ruckelshaus is a former state representative (1990-92) in this district and was the co-owner at the Carter-Lee Lumber Company for over 16 years He told the Gazette:

"Also, I worked in the (former Governor Mitch) Daniels administration as Deputy Commissioner at the department of Workforce Development (DWD) . . .

I feel my experience in both business and public service are needed as a voice of reason in the state senate.

The Ruckelshaus family has always stood for inclusion and working together to solve problems."

On the House side, incumbent State Representative Christina Hale (D) will face Connie Eckert (R).

On the Washington Township Board, Emily Denton (D) is running against Keely Gladieux (D) in the primary. I don't know who the Republican candidates are.

For Congress, Angela Demaree (D) or Allen Davidson (D) will face incumbent Congresswoman Susan Brooks next fall. Davidson and Demaree are running in the primary.

Don't forget to vote in the May 3, 2016, primary.

On March 16, 2016, the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission approved raising the monthly customer charge from $11 per month to $17 per month for IPL as part of the IPL rate case order. (The fixed fee is slightly lower for low use customers.)

The move was opposed by the Citizens Action Coalition, NAACP, and other consumer groups which noted it shifted costs unfairly to low users and low income customers (and discouraged conservation).

Similar moves in other states including Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Minnesota have been rebuffed by state regulators there. For 100 years, the customer charge has been used to recover metering and billing costs. Now the utility industry wants you to pay for things like the pole and transformers upfront instead of in the per kilowatt hour rate. However, doing so makes it harder for customers to control their energy costs and gives you less incentive to turn off the lights and appliances when not in use. This discourages conservation. It's also a burden on low users and many low income customers.

April 6, 2016 - Central Indiana Wilderness Club meeting, Holliday Park, 6:30 p.m.

April 8, 2016 - Expats: Indiana artists who have left the state--Opening reception 6 pm to 9 pm, Indianapolis Art Center

April 9, 2016 - Wildflowers of Holliday Park walk, 10 a.m. Call 327-7180 to register. See the Virginia blue bells, wood poppies, and more on a walk with Norma Wallman who wrote the book (Wildflowers of Holliday Park). Call 327-7180 to register

April 15, 2016 - Labor and learn volunteer gardening at Holliday Park (as well as a talk by Chris Turner), 9 a.m. (repeats April 29, 2016)

April 23, 2016 - Earth Day celebration at Holliday Park, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

April 24, 2016 - The Indianapolis Art Center does acrylic painting from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sun King Brewery (indplsartcenter.org/craft Sundays)

May 3, 2016 - Primary Election Day. Polls open until 6 p.m.