Gov. Eric Holcomb says his legislative priorities this year focus primarily on three things: economic development, educational workforce and public health and wellness.
He reiterated that point Thursday at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, hosted by Cook Medical and Indiana University.
Holcomb discussed a wide variety of topics, including one notable item: Senate Bill 4, which is currently working its way through the legislature.
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“If you subscribe to that, then I think there are better days ahead — and that’s not just me being rhetorical; there are,” Holcomb said.
If passed, SB 4 would require local health departments to provide several “core services” if they want to get significantly increased funding from the state.
He says it will be localities’ choice whether to opt in but said those who chose not to are doing so at their own peril.
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“If you choose not to, that sends a signal out to the greater world that you are forgoing investing in citizens’ public core health services,” Holcomb said.
Holcomb also discussed the READI grant program, his major economic development initiative. Participants must opt into the program, similar to how SB 4 would work if passed.
He hopes the READI program is ongoing and serves as a groundwork for future initiatives.
“You just start to snap all these pieces together and we have a recipe for success,” Holcomb said. “We just need more ingredients to sprinkle in there, depending on where you’re at in the state of Indiana.”
