Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch listens as State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, speaks before the Northwest Indiana Forum breakfast in Merrillville Thursday May 13, 2021. (Andy Lavalley/Post-Tribune)
A bipartisan effort by state lawmakers and an infusion of $5 billion in unexpected revenue helped create a budget that boosts teachers’ salaries, expands broadband and invests in mental health needs and economic development, among other needs, a panel of four area legislators and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said Thursday.
“This was the most bipartisan, collaborative session that I’ve been a part of,” Crouch said of the 2021 session during a legislative wrap-up discussion held at Avalon Manor in Hobart and sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Forum.
Crouch, who was the keynote speaker, said Indiana is in pretty good shape, with the aid of an additional $5 billion to spend on Hoosiers. She said $2 billion of the amount came from unprojected state revenues, with the other $3 billion from American Rescue Plan funds. She said $1.9 billion of that money will be spent on K-12 education, with 45% spearheaded for teachers’ compensation.
An additional $250 million will go to expanding broadband to areas that currently don’t have it, $100 million will be invested in mental health and $500 million in the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grants, among other areas.
State Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, called the amount allocated to K-12 education “a historic investment” and state Sen. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, said it will provide teachers with “the much needed pay increase they deserve.”
Crouch said there are about 100,000 Hoosiers with intellectual disabilities and the General Assembly allocated $80 million so that the direct service providers for these individuals can earn up to $15 an hour.
“They care for that population. We need to pay them a decent wage,” Crouch said.
Bohacek, who said he has a daughter with Down syndrome, called this allocation a big win for the providers, the families and the economy. He said it was difficult to find a service provider because the pay was so low.
Crouch said it became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic that broadband isn’t a luxury, but an essential for many people, including individuals who needed to work remotely and for virtual doctor visits.
State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, said the $250 million allocated for broadband is not enough to reach every household that needs it.
“Our first priority is kids so we put the money so every kid in the state will be able to have broadband in school,” he said.
Soliday said the bill was crafted so those who want broadband will be able to get it first. He also urged local communities to use their share of ARP money on wastewater, which Soliday called another problem in the Region, and let the state take care of broadband.
Crouch said 1 in 5 Hoosiers suffered from addiction or mental illness before COVID-19, and the number will grow as a result of the pandemic, making the $100 million investment a critical one.
As for the READI grants, Crouch said the state will be divided into 10 regions, with each region receiving up to $50 million of the $500 million for various projects such as infrastructure and revitalizing blighted or vacant properties. She said this is expected to result in much more in new investments by companies.
State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, said UPS has already generated hundreds of thousands of dollars since locating at the Gary Airport, and even more money could be generated if cargo and freight are expanded at Buffington Harbor in Gary.
The lawmakers also touted some of the bills that were passed in this last session. Melton said he worked with state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, on a bill that takes advantage of property tax sales to address blight. He also talked about the bill that was signed into law that requires de-escalation training for new police recruits and current officers.
“After George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, we had to do something,” Melton said. “The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.”
He said he believes the state is on the right track with the additional funding for K-12 education, but said more money needs to be spent on special education and English as a Second Language and there needs to be equity and inclusion across the board.
Andrade said he also was happy to see bipartisan support for the police reform bill.
“I support first responders, but they need to be held accountable for their actions,” Andrade said.
Bohacek also cited a new bill that allows families with children on Medicaid to go to Illinois hospitals instead of having to travel to Indianapolis as in the past.
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