Giving Every County in District 23 an Economic Engine

Are we making the right decisions as a state to use our land in ways that will maximize economic growth and minimize food insecurity? A bill I sponsored would create a land use task force to study food insecurity in both rural and urban areas, as well as growth trends across Indiana. It passed the Senate unanimously Monday.

I believe every county in District 23 deserves an economic engine of its own. My hope in getting behind this legislation is that it will lead to concrete actions that will spark economic growth in all of District 23, but especially in Fountain, Warren, Vermillion and Parke counties.

House Enrolled Act 1132 would establish a 13-member task force with six legislators and seven members appointed by the governor representing industries such as residential construction and agriculture.

Recommendations to help communities attract development in the future would be reported to the Committee on Legislative Council by July 1, 2024.

The legislation now heads to the governor’s desk for consideration.

Increasing High Speed Internet Access

I compare the need for rural broadband to the need for rural electricity a century ago. It’s just as essential for economic growth and daily life. As a new State Senator, I am just getting started in working on this issue, but I wanted to pass on that the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has started the Indiana Connectivity Program, which helps fund projects to expand broadband access throughout the state.

The state announced Wednesday that it has awarded $842,000 in funding to spread broadband internet to 206 households and 10 businesses in Indiana. Unfortunately, District 23 was only a small recipient with four locations in Tippecanoe County for $19,200 and one address in Parke County for $4,800.

One way you can assist is to help create a better map of the areas in most need of connectivity and to challenge false assertions that your address has broadband when in fact it doesn’t. Please visit this link from the Purdue Center for Regional Development to learn how to do so. If you have connectivity but know someone who doesn’t, please help them through this process so that their address can be confirmed as one in need.

Working on a Budget

The state’s budget is a work in progress and there are still a few priorities I would like to see adjusted, but Senate leadership released their budget proposal this week. The proposed Senate budget is balanced and includes historic funding for K-12 education. It also would increase salaries for Indiana State Police and pay down our long-term pension obligations.

Budget highlights include the following:

• $3.1 billion to the Pre-1996 Teachers’ Retirement Fund, which, when fully funded, will free up $2 billion in the state’s biennial budget
• $2.5 billion in new money for K-12 education, including $1.1 billion in new tuition support and eliminating textbook fees for all families
• $95 million to increase pay for State Police, conservation and excise officers
• $500 million to help local communities with capital projects
• $225 million to create an optional local public health grant that counties can use to improve public health services, and $35 million to expand the state’s mental health infrastructure and support
• $75 million to help local communities invest in housing development

If you have thoughts on budget items you would like me to fight for or against, send me a note at [email protected].

Spencer Deery is the State Senator for District 23, serving portions of Montgomery, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Parke, Vermillion and Warren counties.