Lawmakers recently concluded business for this year’s legislative session. As policymakers, we worked to pass new laws improving Indiana’s infrastructure and funding state operations for the next two years, including supporting education.
We are the Crossroads of America, and our roads are used daily by thousands of Hoosiers, tourists, semi-drivers and commuters, and some of our highways and interstates are in poor condition. The plan to generate revenue came from a four-year study done by LTAP. This study analyzed every road and bridge in Indiana to see what the condition of Hoosier roadways were like, because the maintenance of our roads is a pivotal factor in our economy. The governor signed a measure into law that creates a long-term solution to fund Indiana roads for the next 20 years.
Legislation I co-authored, House Enrolled Act 1002, provides nearly $900 million in new annual funding for state roads and bridges by 2024, and local communities will see an average of $300 million in new road and bridge funding each year. Overall, the plan is expected to generate $1.2 billion in new annual revenue for state and local roads and bridges beginning in 2024. This plan transitions the responsibility for road maintenance from the Hoosiers who live here, to the people who drive here. Not everyone who uses Indiana roadways lives in the Hoosier heartland.
The General Assembly worked together to pass a structurally balanced budget, which maintains healthy reserves and protects Indiana’s AAA credit rating. Over half of the state’s budget is allocated to our Hoosier education system. House Enrolled Act 1001 provides substantial increases in the base funding for each K-12 student and modestly increases the state investment in higher education.
Additionally, the budget includes a pay increase for state law enforcement officers in order to be more competitive with municipalities and other states. Our state police, conservation officers, gaming agents and excise police are the front lines in keeping our communities and state safe.
With nearly 30,000 jobs going unfilled, legislators passed a measure aimed at aligning career and technical education programs with current and future employer needs. A new grant will soon be available to help Hoosier workers obtain certification in high-wage fields. The Workforce Training Grants would cover a person’s remaining fees or tuition after they received any eligible state and federal funding.
As always, please contact me with questions or input at 317-234-3827 or by email at h67@iga.in.gov. I appreciate hearing from you in order to better represent our district. Stay up-to-date with the work being done at the Statehouse by signing up to receive my email updates at www.in.gov/h67.
-30-
State Rep. Frye (R-Greensburg) represents House District 67, which includes Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Decatur, Jennings, Jefferson and Dearborn counties.
A high-resolution photo of Frye can be downloaded by clicking here.
