Services Set for Former State Senator Larry Borst
Services have been set for a longtime Indiana legislator. Larry Borst, who served in the Indiana senate from 1969 until 2005, was perhaps best known as chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. He passed away this week at the age of 89.
Calling and will be December 28 at the Singleton Community Mortuary, 7602 Madison Avenue in Indianapolis, from 4:00-8:00 PM. A memorial service will be held there the following day at 11 AM.
After leaving the Senate, Borst established the Lawrence M. Borst Fellowship, which gives a graduate student in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI the chance to gain experience in the Indiana Senate with a special focus on finance and budgetary analysis and programs.
In addition to his time in the Indiana legislature, Borst was also the secretary and president of the Indiana Veterinary Association.
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brinegar spent nine years as a fiscal analyst for the Senate Finance Committee during Borst’s time as chair. In a statement, Brinegar said:
Larry Borst was a truly dedicated public servant. He was instrumental in critical pieces of legislation at the local level (UniGov in Marion County in the 1960s and Mayor Bill Hudnut’s transformative efforts in the decades to follow) as well as statewide (major tax reforms in 1973 and 2002, and Gov.
Bob Orr’s A+ education plan in 1987 to name just a few). His efforts helped transform Indianapolis into the dynamic city it has become and Indiana into a great state for doing business and creating jobs.
Senator Borst studied legislation intently and knew the details and intricacies of every bill that came before his committee – often more so than the authors and proponents. I learned so much from him in regard to state government and the importance of being prepared. It was a privilege and an honor to work for and with him.
Statement from Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-16):
I had the honor of working with Senator Larry Borst for eight years, during which time I gained a firsthand view of his tremendous skill and talent, as well as his deep and abiding love for his community of Indianapolis. Most people in Central Indiana will never know the role he played in helping to transform Indianapolis into the great city that it is today. Larry Borst was a titan of Indiana politics and his passing is a great loss for the people of our state. On behalf of the Indiana Senate, we send our prayers and sympathies to the entire Borst family.
Statement from House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-88):
Larry Borst, one of Indiana’s longest-serving legislators, was a good friend of my father’s in the Indiana Senate, and later became a good friend of mine. Dr. Borst was also our family veterinarian and was a role model of the citizen legislator concept. As one of the fathers of the modern Republican Party in Marion County and in our state, he will be remembered for his passion for fiscal integrity, public service and commitment to encourage the next generation of Hoosier leaders.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett released the following statement:
I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of public servant and civic leader, Senator Larry Borst. Dr. Borst was a dedicated advocate and voice of the community, helping to shape the revitalization of Indianapolis on the Mayor’s Progress Committee and serving as a stalwart champion for our state’s fiscal stability in the House of Representatives and Indiana Senate. His loss is one that will be deeply felt, but his legacy will remain in his contributions to Central Indiana.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.