Vi Simpson
Democratic Women's Caucus Steering Committee member at-large
As one of Indiana 's most effective and respected leaders, State Senator Vi Simpson has spent a career fighting for causes that matter most to Hoosiers.
In her time in the Indiana State Senate, Simpson has worked to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Hoosiers. She's led the fight to restructure the state's economy so businesses and workers can more effectively compete in the global marketplace and she's been a tireless advocate for improving Indiana 's public schools and universities.
Elected to the Senate in 1984, Simpson is widely regarded as am expert on the state's finances, serving as the Senate Democrat Caucus' representative on the powerful State Budget Committee. She also serves as the ranking minority member of the Senate's Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Health & Provider Services, Economic Development & Technology and Tax & Fiscal Policy standing committees.
Among her many legislative accomplishments include authoring legislation that created Indiana's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has become a national model for delivering cost-effective health services to uninsured children. She is also credited with creating national award winning legislation dealing with voluntary environmental cleanups. In 2002, Simpson and her colleagues initiated the debate on tax restructuring and property tax reform which led to the passage of historic legislation that revamped the state's entire tax code.
She has received a variety of state and national awards and honors for her work. She has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the State Employees Association, the Indiana Library Federation, the Indiana Wildlife Federation and numerous other organizations. On the national level, Simpson has been honored with the Distinguished Legislator Award by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the National Legislator of the Year by the American Academy of Physicians, and in 2005 the American Medical Association awarded Simpson their highest honor, the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.
Simpson, who served as Monroe County Auditor before joining the Indiana General Assembly, received her law degree from Indiana University School of Law. She has two adult children and resides in Ellettsville with her husband, former state senator Bill McCarty.
Her current term expires in 2008.