STATEHOUSE (April 21, 2017) — State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) announced that a $43 million Ivy Tech project is one step closer after receiving funding from the recently passed state budget.
Karickhoff said the project will be funded with $40 million from the state budget and $3 million from private funding to be raised in a capital campaign. He said the project includes substantial renovations and approximately 50,000 square feet of new space, which will bring all Ivy Tech programs in Kokomo to the Morgan Street Campus.
“Indiana wrapped up the 2017 legislative session, passing a balanced state budget that includes funding for the long-awaited project at Ivy Tech,” Karickhoff said. “This college provides job training and educational opportunities, and with this funding, the institution can continue to benefit the state and region.”
In addition to funding higher education, Karickhoff said the structurally balanced biennial state budget increases funding for K-12 schools by $345 million over the biennium. It also increases state funding for Indiana’s high-quality pre-K pilot program by $10 million, which helps low-income, at-risk students.
The approved budget includes an increase in Indiana State Police salaries, significantly increases the state income tax exemption for military pensions and provides survivor’s benefits and funding to address the state’s opioid epidemic.
The budget also provides $1.82 million for veteran service organizations to improve assistance for veterans seeking benefits and $1 million to help homeless veterans. In addition, it establishes a hyperbaric treatment pilot program to help veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The budget allocates $10 million to the governor’s office for substance abuse prevention, treatment and enforcement, increases funding for the Department of Child Services by $200 million over two years to help meet the significant increase in casework demands, and provides a $3 million-per-year increase for Adult Protective Services.
Investments were made in innovation and workforce development, including efforts to advance bioscience research in Indiana and programs that deliver high-value training to Hoosier workers like the WorkINdiana program.
House Enrolled Act 1001 has been sent to the governor for his consideration.
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Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents House District 30,
which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties.
A high-resolution photo of Karickhoff can be downloaded by clicking here.
