Holcomb outlines legislative agenda

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Published: Monday, 09 January 2017 17:24

INDIANAPOLIS - Better roads and bridges, as well as an expanded pre-K program are top priorities under Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration.  

He has announced the five themes of his legislative agenda.

Gov.-elect Holcomb addressing his five main goals Jan. 5. Photo by Christian Sullivan, TheStatehouseFile.com

“Heading into my first legislative session as Indiana’s governor, the guiding principle that shapes my agenda is to improve the lives of Hoosiers from all walks of life,” Holcomb said.

Strong economy by growing jobs

As part of Holcomb’s agenda, he said he plans to pass an “honestly balanced budget” by starting with fiscal discipline.

He said he would like to invest $1 billion to make Indiana an innovation hub for the next 10 years.

“We are going to continue investing,” Holcomb said. “Indiana is where you can get that good return on investment.”

In order to do that, new innovation and entrepreneurship grant programs would be created in partnership with Indiana’s higher education institutions.

Create a 20-year plan to fund roads and bridges

Holcomb’s plan to pay for infrastructure overlaps with the plan released by House Republicans Wednesday.

Both have a menu of options including raising the gas tax, fees for alternative-fuel vehicles and exploring the addition of toll roads.

Holcomb said as the crossroads of America, the state’s infrastructure needs to improve.

“We know we are an advanced manufacturing capital,” Holcomb said. “We have to have the infrastructure — the roads and bridges — that back that up.”

Holcomb said the House Republican’s plan is a “great first step” and matches the state’s 20-year needs.

That plan has already come under fire from Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group that pushes for lower taxes.

Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb and Lt. Gov.-elect Suzanne Crouch standing along side one another at the revealing of Gov. Holcomb’s agenda. Photo by Christian Sullivan, TheStatehouseFile.com

House Minority Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, said Holcomb outlined a lot more taxes and spending than he expected to see from a Republican governor. But as long as Hoosiers can see they are benefiting from the extra costs, Pelath said he can support the increases.

Education and a skilled workforce

Holcomb also wants to create an appointed secretary of education rather than an elected superintendent of public instruction. If approved by lawmakers, the position would be appointed beginning in 2021, after Superintendent-elect Jennifer McCormick finishes her four-year term.

The relationship between the two offices became contentious between Gov. Mike Pence and Superintendent Glenda Ritz.

As for McCormick, she said this could be a difficult decision for legislators.

“I do not view this as a personal reflection of my ability or willingness to effectively work with the governor,” McCormick said in a statement.

Holcomb said he also wants to focus on creating a grant program which would fully fund adults who would go through training that would get them into the workforce. He said there is a need for training to fill 30,000 jobs statewide.

“We know this is the demand of the future and we will seek to organize that effectively so our workforce is ready and fully equipped for tomorrow and today,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb also touched on his desire to expand the pilot program On My Way Pre-K to more low-income students. The current budget allots $10 million a year for the program, but that amount would double under Holcomb’s new plan.

Attack the drug epidemic

Holcomb said he wants to start attacking the drug epidemic on his first day in office.

To start, he said he would change the way controlled substances are refilled.

“We will be seeking to limit the amount of controlled substances, prescriptions and refills to a seven-day period,” Holcomb said.

He also said he would allow local officials to establish their own syringe exchange program rather than having to apply to the state commissioner of health.

Holcomb wants to increase the punishment for pharmacy robberies in hopes of discouraging criminals.   

Deliver great government service

Holcomb also outlined raising the pay for the Indiana State Police over the next four years, as he said Indiana’s police are currently one of the lowest paid police forces in the Midwest.

Honoring and supporting Hoosier veterans by exempting military pensions from state income taxes is also seen as an important issue by Holcomb.

“We want to keep our veterans in the state of Indiana,” Holcomb said.

Overall, Pelath said there were many items outlined which are worthy of bipartisan support.

“Now that we are figuring out the parameters of debate for the 2017 session, Indiana House Democrats stand ready to offer their services to help these warring factions within the Republican majorities [to] find an answer to their dilemma,” Pelath said.

Holcomb was sworn in as governor Monday.

Article writer Adrianna Pitrelli is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.