After four tumultuous years for Indiana marred by the fallout from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, improper maintenance of an aging road infrastructure and public spats with the sole Democrat elected to office, we are pleased with how things have progressed under Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Although the evidence is scant just three months out for this new administration, Holcomb should be given credit for addressing obvious wrongs neglected by his predecessor, Vice President Mike Pence, and attempting to correct pressing state problems — over ideology or party.
Even though we can’t say we’re happy with all of the results coming out of the Statehouse, it is clear that Holcomb has shown a centrist tendency toward pragmatism that his immediate predecessor shunned.
Holcomb proved that Hoosiers — and not party — are a priority by declaring that state disaster relief was warranted and extending that order for East Chicago and its issues with lead in public housing, when Pence, as a Republican, failed to do so for the historically Democratic community.
He expeditiously pardoned wrongfully convicted Keith Cooper for an armed robbery conviction in 1997 once given the opportunity to review the evidence — making good on previous campaign comments. Pence held off on doing so despite having similar information as that relied on by Holcomb, who noted “many pieces of information that were out and about that had been brought forward since have changed, including a victim, an informant, even the deputy prosecutor who convicted Mr. Cooper on that first crime, all have stated support or no objection to a pardon.”
Holcomb has signed on with 30 other governors who oppose any cuts to expansions made to Medicare as national legislators eye the federal budget and dismantling the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — aka Obamacare.
And, under Holcomb, the Statehouse has focused on infrastructure, education and other topics that have a direct impact on Indiana residents that are not, with a few exceptions, divisive social topics enflamed by ideological policies.
During his initial months in office, Holcomb has shown himself as a leader without an ideological litmus test who wants to address the most pressing needs of Hoosiers.
Although its early in the administration, that should be applauded both for what Indiana experienced before and what continues to be the norm nationally.
Holcomb has thus far proven to be a stabilizing force in Indiana — a welcomed sight with the lack thereof on the national stage.