Pence Set to OK Pre-K, Transportation Bills
Governor Mike Pence is slated to sign legislation today concerning pre-kindergarten funding and up to $400 million for transportation projects. He approved a bill Wednesday that calls for mass transit referenda in six central Indiana counties. Pence says he still has reservations about the sustainability of expanded mass transit, but believes economic development and quality of life decisions are “best made on the local level.” You can view SB176 by clicking here.
The measure was pared down during the legislative session to remove light rail expansion and corporate funding requirements. The votes will occur in Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Johnson, Madison and Marion counties.
House Bill 1004 involves funding the state's first pre-kindergarten pilot program and can be viewed by clicking here.
You can view HB 1002, a measure that details the transfer of millions of dollars from the state general fund to the Major Moves 2020 Trust Fund, by clicking here.
March 27, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Pence will sign HEA 1004, which provides the first-ever state funding for pre-K in Indiana, and HEA 1002, which provides up to $400 million for road funding that will create jobs for Hoosiers. The Governor will sign HEA 1002 while keynoting the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Details below.
Thursday, March 27:
9:30 a.m. ET – Governor Pence to sign HEA 1004, which provides for Indiana’s first-ever funding for pre-K
DayStar Childcare Ministry, Indianapolis
12:00 p.m. CT – Governor Pence to keynote Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce luncheon, sign HEA 1002 regarding road funding and jobs for Hoosiers
Valparaiso University
3:55 p.m. CT – Governor Pence to participate in the First Annual Forbes Reinventing America Summit
JW Marriott Chicago
March 26, 2014
News release
Indianapolis, Ind. – Today, Governor Mike Pence issued the following statement after signing Senate Enrolled Act 176, regarding Central Indiana transit.
“I have signed SEA 176 into law to give the people of Central Indiana the opportunity to decide on the future of mass transit in the greater Indianapolis area.
“Our capital city is a world class destination and needs a world class transit system. While I still have reservations about the sustainability of expanded mass transit services, I signed this bill because the General Assembly made significant improvements during the legislative process, bringing to closure years of debate on this issue. The final version contains no new, local corporate tax, which would have reduced our state's overall competitiveness, and it contains no light rail, which would have greatly increased the cost to taxpayers in the long term.
“I am a firm believer in local control and the collective wisdom of the people of Indiana. Decisions on economic development and quality of life are best made at the local level. Whether local business tax reform or mass transit, I trust local leaders and residents to make the right decisions for their communities. That, along with the improvements made to the bill, is why I have signed SEA 176 into law. Now the people of Central Indiana can decide.”
Sources: Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence, The Indiana General Assembly