INDIANAPOLIS- In his first session, State Representative Earl Harris Jr. (D- East Chicago) will focus on legislation helping the residents of East Chicago face the numerous problems that have been created by lead contamination.
In addition, Harris said he will pursue proposals aimed at providing more assistance for the homeless, as well as improving economic development opportunities throughout the region.
But the focal point of his agenda will be House Bill 1035, which offers assistance for both homeowners and area schools.
“We need to create a safer environment for the residents of East Chicago, particularly in the West Calumet area, where people have seen their lives uprooted due to the staggering levels of lead and arsenic contaminations,†Harris said, noting that over 1,000 residents have been evacuated.
One part of the bill requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to assist with the clean-up of USS Lead in East Chicago, as well as have soil and water tested within the city limits.
He is also proposing that the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) assist the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with relocating residents.
“This evacuation caused many parents to send their children to schools in other districts, cities and even other states, leading to a need for increased transportation,†Harris said. “This move has created a financial burden on East Chicago schools. They were not prepared for the loss of hundreds of students and millions of dollars.â€
To counteract this he is asking that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) make a one-time financial distribution to the School City of East Chicago to account for any student that left the district.
“This is only a starting point,†Harris said, “It will take years to get East Chicago back on its feet, but I am confident the state will band together to help.â€
Harris will also be focusing on introducing a Housing First program throughout the state. It is based on Utah’s Housing First Act, which helped decrease that state’s homeless population by 91 percent and saved Utah taxpayers over $4 million the first year.
This bill requires the state to offer programs that provide care and support for the homeless, including help to find jobs and treatment for substance abuse and addiction.
“The goal of this program is to move eligible homeless people from the shelters and streets to housing developments,†said Harris. “This legislation will provide them with the services they need, such as job hunting, training and treatment for mental and physical heath, so they can hopefully regain control of their lives.â€
He will also be pursuing economic development in northwest Indiana through a proposal that has been championed in previous sessions by his father, the late State Rep. Earl Harris Sr., and his mother, former Rep. Donna Harris.
This legislation will establish a professional sports development commission, which will explore plans to attract franchises in the major professional sports to northwest Indiana, which Harris calls “the best-kept secret in our state.â€
“I believe this expansion will help Indiana attract top talent from surrounding states and create more job opportunities for the younger generation,†Harris said.
###
