INDIANAPOLIS - Lawmakers on Wednesday pushed back against Gov. Mike Pence's request for additional Regional Cities Initiative funding while the three regions that received the "awards" pressed their case for transformational change.
The House Ways and Means Committee didn't vote on Senate Bill 302, but must do so by Monday to meet legislative deadlines or the bill dies.
A key question at the committee hearing was why did the Indiana Economic Development Corporation award three regions when the legislature had only provided $84 million to be split between the top two.
But the most important question - at least to the regions whose projects are on hold awaiting a decision - is what happens if lawmakers don't pony up. And the answer was murky.
"We're kind of backed up against the wall," said Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis.
Northeast Indiana, the Evansville area and the South Bend region were all deemed winners of the Regional Cities initiative in December. The goal was to stimulate regional thinking and ultimately attract talent and population to Indiana.
Statewide, there are about $2 billion in projects envisioned - with about $525 million being spent the first three years. Locally, the northeast Indiana plan targets regional trails, a riverfront project in Fort Wayne; arts centers and revitalizing communities.