Investments in broadband, mental health services, and help for those with intellectual disabilities are just a few of the accomplishments state officials are touting from this year’s legislative session. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch says Indiana is able to make several one-time investments, thanks to the state’s financial position.
“Life has been challenging for Hoosiers in the past, but right now, things are pretty good,” she said during the Northwest Indiana Forum’s legislative wrap-up Thursday. “And that happens when you are one week at the end of the session where you’re writing a budget, one week out, and you get a revised revenue forecast and you find out you have an additional $2 billion of state revenues to spend.” That’s in addition to an extra $3 billion from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan.
Crouch said $250 million will go into expanding broadband, and details will be announced soon for expansion of that infrastructure along Northwest Indiana’s interstate highways. “So it’s happening, and what we learned through COVID was being connected isn’t a luxury. It’s essential,” she added, “because our workers were teleworking, students were eLearning, and health care was being delivered telehealth.”
The lieutenant governor added that the $100 million allocated for mental health will be critical, at a time when the pandemic has brought additional challenges to those already struggling. “And there’s probably not one of us here that doesn’t know someone, perhaps our own family members, who’ve faced those challenges,” Crouch noted. “And my family’s no exception. My mother suffered from depression. My sister committed suicide. My brother’s in recovery. He relapsed during COVID, but he’s back in recovery. So we all know someone.”
The budget also aims to help support Hoosiers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. State Senator Mike Bohacek noted that many individuals may qualify for services but not be able to find a provider, especially in rural areas. He said the $80 million budgeted to help boost pay for direct service providers will be a big win for families.
“They need the respite care,” Bohacek said. “They need to be able to have this individual have a little extra therapy help. And now they can get it. And this was a bigger piece, not only for the wellbeing of these folks, but also for their families and for our economy overall.”
Crouch said money was also allocated to pay down debt, freeing up future revenues.
