Holcomb Touts State's “Position Of Strength,” $30 Million Trail Deal

By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

January 10, 2023

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb praised Indiana’s economic “position of strength” in his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening — and argued the state can afford to invest in “needs” like economic development, public health, schools and public safety.

He also unveiled a $30 million grant for what would be Indiana’s longest trail.

“Because our revenue and population are both growing, we have the ability — rather, the obligation — to fuel that growth and utilize reserves for one-time projects, even while we maintain a healthy surplus,” Holcomb said, speaking in front of a joint convention of the Indiana General Assembly.

The Department of Natural Resources will spend the last $29.5 million from its $150 million Next Level Trails program on acquisition and development costs for the 62-mile Monon South Trail, Holcomb announced. The trail, along a former rail corridor, will span five counties in Southern Indiana, and lay within 10 miles of about 440,000 Hoosiers.

“The Monon South Trail will preserve a piece of our Hoosier history while promoting quality of place in our rural communities,” Holcomb said in a news release Tuesday. In his speech, he also asked lawmakers to approve $50 million more in trails funding, plus $25 million for a land conservation program.

Holcomb also took the chance to talk about the legislative priorities he released last week, making his case in front of the lawmakers who control the state’s purse strings.

He acknowledged the state’s woeful public health standings for smoking, obesity, mental health care access and childhood vaccinations — 45th, 46th, 43rd and 41st, respectively — and reiterated an ask for major investments in public health: $347 over the course of the next two-year budget.

Willing local governments would have to pony up funds for the 80-20 state-local mix.

“We don’t have a day or a dollar or a life to waste,” Holcomb told legislators, “so taking the next four months [of the legislative session] to get it right: nothing could be more important.”

The governor also asked lawmakers to prioritize education, asking for an increase of $1.1 billion toward K-12 tuition support and an additional $120 million to pay for textbooks and curriculum material.

Indiana is one of just seven states in which public school students’ families shoulder the cost of textbooks — which Holcomb dubbed a “disguised tax.”

And he also called on lawmakers to focus on public safety by boosting money for school safety grants, court technology upgrades, a “true” statewide firefighting training system, state police pay and more.

“Here in Indiana, we have a well-run, soundly financed state – and the word is out!” Holcomb said. “… Investors are giving us their vote of confidence. They’re creating industries and careers here. They see their growth and future here. Let’s prove them right!”

This story will be updated with reaction after the speech.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.