STATEHOUSE- State Representative Hal Slager (R-Schererville) was an integral part in getting a number of proposals, benefitting Lake County and Hoosiers across the state, incorporated into Indiana’s Biennial Budget, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001. HEA 1001 passed out of the General Assembly and has been sent to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Language from House Bill (HB) 1618, authored by Rep Slager, was adopted into the budget. This legislation creates a program to provide matching grants to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) for projects extending the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railways without raising taxes.
“Many individuals in Lake County and the surrounding area work in Chicago, which is one of our nation’s largest economies,” said Rep. Slager. “By expanding access to Chicago through the South Shore, this will increase mobility for Hoosiers and attract more and more families to our area of the state.”
Rep. Slager also played a key role in getting Lake County its share of fees, paid by telephone users, to support Lake County’s E-911 network. The money will be held in escrow by the state. The state budget allocates also $2.4 million to Purdue Calumet Emerging Technologies Building A&E.
“As a member of Ways and Means, I am proud to craft and help pass a budget that funds projects critical to northwest Indiana while living within our means,” said Rep. Slager. “I enjoyed working with Ways and Means Chairman Tim Brown and other members of the committee in getting these proposals included in our budget.”
Rep. Slager proposed a measure that would increase funding adult guardianship programs. The state budget will allocate $2 million for the administration of the office of adult guardianship and provide matching funds to counties that implement a volunteer advocate program for seniors and incapacitated adults who are appointed a guardian.
Additionally, Rep. Slager was an integral part in the Hearing Aid Foundation receiving $375,000 annually through the state budget.
For more information on HEA 1001, please visit iga.in.gov and for more information about Rep. Hal Slager, please visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com.
