American Rescue Plan fully-funded state’s READI program, fully-funded public schools, and secured investments in broadband and childcare
Governor Holcomb and Congressional Republicans opposed the Rescue Plan, Indiana GOP calls investments “socialism”
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today hailed the brighter future that’s in store for the Hoosier State – and it’s all because of the American Rescue Plan and Democrats’ economic agenda. Republican Governor Eric Holcomb will tout a strong Indiana during his State of the State address this evening, however, the state’s economic success is because Democrats – not Republicans – stood by Hoosiers when it mattered most. In fact, the Governor opposed the Rescue Plan just before it was signed into law next year.
Now, Holcomb and Indiana Republicans are attempting a partisan tightrope walk where they describe the overall Rescue Plan as “socialism” while still taking the dough and accepting the investments it’s bringing to the Hoosier State.
Indiana Democrats are not going to let their dishonesty and irrational partisanship mislead Hoosier families. Starting next month, Democrats will once again hit the road to share with voters about how the Party’s economic agenda is creating a better future for them. This will include the state’s READI program and infrastructure investments via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Here’s a look at how the Democrats’ economic agenda is creating a better future for Hoosier families in all counties:
EDUCATION: Rescue Plan fully-funded Indiana’s schools, delivered pay raise for state educators
“Indiana House Bill 1001 says $1.9 billion will be dedicated toward K-12 schools, which are primarily public schools […] This new funding is possible because of the COVID-19 relief money Indiana received from the American Rescue Plan.
Of this funding, $600 million will go toward raising teacher salaries in the state, according to HB 1001. Lawmakers recommended a starting salary of $40,000 for state educators, which is $5,000 more than the current average starting salary of the 2019-20 school year. The current average starting salary is lower than all of Indiana’s surrounding states.”
READI: “The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) is funded by the federal government’s American Rescue Plan.”
Muncie Star Press: Michael Hicks: READI grant a big success and important policy
Goshen News: Governor awards $50M READI grant to local region
New Albany News and Tribune: READI funds could spur growth, infrastructure improvements in Borden
Corydon Democrat: Harrison part of region to get READI funds
Greensburg Daily News: IEDC READI program to fund millions in projects throughout the state
WNDU: South Bend – Elkhart receives $50 million in READI grant funds
Carroll County Democrat: $500 million is awarded to Indiana READI Regions
Osgood Journal: Ripley County to receive READI funds
Connersville News Examiner: East Central Indiana receives $15 million in READI funding
Hamilton County Reporter: White River Regional Opportunity Initiative receives $20M READI grant
WKDQ: Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke Discusses Plans for Recently Awarded $50 Million READI Grant
Washington Times Herald: Southern Indiana lands $30 million READI grant
The Reporter-Times: Morgan County region gets $20M from READI for quality of life, infrastructure initiatives
The Shelbyville News: Accelerate Rural Indiana receives $20 million in READI funding
BROADBAND: “Other provisions in the budget partially direct the spending of federal relief funding. That includes […] $250 million for broadband internet expansion grants…”
Kokomo Tribune: “Howard County to allocate $1.5 million to $2 million toward broadband expansion”
The Columbus Republic: “…spending plan provides efforts to create countywide broadband with the largest allocation of $4 million…”
Delaware County: Allocating broadband investments between $250,000 and $3,000,000.
Your Local News: “Miami County commissioners have pledged $1.4 million to help fund a major expansion of high-speed internet to rural parts of the county, including to underserved students in low-income areas.”
Kokomo Tribune: “Commissioners earlier this also year approved $1.4 million in ARP money to be paid to Miami-Cass REMC to expand broadband in the area…”
WKVI (Starke County): “The commissioners noted that broadband is one of the top projects planned with the funds that the county will receive…”
WLFI: “A few ways the city is looking at spending it includes providing assistance to small businesses and non-profits as well as making investments in water, sewage, and broadband infrastructure.”
Also…
INFRASTRUCTURE: The Jobs Act will bring transformational investments that will revitalize Indiana’s infrastructure system
Broadband: $100 million to add to the Rescue Plan’s $250 million investments for broadband internet.
Roads and Bridges: $7 billion to repair crumbling roads and bridges across Indiana.
Water: $751 million to revitalize the state’s water infrastructure system.
Public Transportation: $680 million to update public transit systems across Indiana.
Electric Vehicles: $100 million to take the state’s electric charging grid to the Next Level.
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