The Akron Community Center hosted a Fulton County Chamber Third House this past Saturday. It seems the good citizens of that county always turn out for these events. I would estimate 50-60 people were there to listen and ask questions. They deserve praise, and I applaud them for participating in their state government.
Another positive report for our area was in a news release stating that Grissom Air Reserve Base is in the final four bases considered for placement of the new KC-46 tanker plane. That placement would mean more jobs and activity for Grissom as well as some protection from the next base realignment and closure by Congress. I certainly want to be supportive of the efforts to attract this great new assignment.
If you have traveled south on U.S. 31, perhaps you have noticed the signs and banners advertising for needed employees. There are two State of Indiana banners; one is an INDOT banner asking for applicants and the other is at Miami Correctional facility. The other signs are private companies advertising for qualified truck drivers. I have noticed help wanted ads in the papers and posted at businesses. These are favorable signals for our community because they mean that business is improving in our area. Hopefully, qualified employees can be found to fill these jobs and grow our economy.
Spring seems to have finally arrived! Trees are budding, the magnolia tree is blooming and I mowed the lawn for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Along with these yard chores, field tiles need to be repaired before planting the fields and needed building repairs can begin. Life gets busy in a hurry when spring arrives. Ann surprised me recently –when on a shopping trip– she told me we needed a new wheelbarrow. That means even more outside projects can commence.
The Legislature is now in the homestretch. Indiana Code requires that we adjourn on the 29th of April. All legislation must be completed by that date or it will die. The revenue forecast was recently reduced by about $214 million over the next two years. It is not a major reduction to a $31 billion budget, but will rule out some of the “nice to have” appropriations that many legislators hoped to put in the final budget bill. That is how a budget is produced. It is a priority list of must do, could do and want to do issues. The decisions are difficult and sometimes painful, but the process works and those who craft the spending plan deserve our respect. It is not easy to put a budget together.
The “must do” list will be more than accomplished in the new budget. The first item on the list was to pass a balanced budget that continues Indiana’s track record of fiscal responsibility. Because we take revenue forecasts so seriously, we have been able to craft a budget that lives within our means as a state. Another “must do” was funding education in Indiana. This year we have dedicated more money than ever before to K-12 education and also made large allocations to Pre-K and higher education. From dual-language programs to capital projects, education will be effectively funded for the next two years.
The coming of spring also means many students will soon be celebrating their completion of high school. Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors—your hard work and dedication deserve recognition. In anticipation of the transition many of these students will make from high school to college, the General Assembly has passed legislation that will help them prepare for the financial aspect of their college careers.
As higher education becomes more and more expensive, there has been a sharp increase in student loan defaults. Often student loan borrowing even exceeds the cost of education. House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1042 is legislation we passed this session requiring all institutions receiving financial aid from Indiana to provide students with information about loans and student debt. The goal of this legislation is to make sure that students understand and are prepared for the responsibility they are assuming when they take out student loans. This legislation will help students be even more successful as they pursue their future careers.
I appreciate your communication—stay in touch. It is your government.
More later,
Bill Friend
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Rep. Bill Friend represents portions of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties. He also serves as Speaker Pro Tempore.
