Sens. Tomes, Becker Join Gov. Pence to Create New State-Based Initiatives Office

 

 State Sens. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) and Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) joined Gov. Mike Pence in Evansville this week to establish the new Indiana Office of State-Based Initiatives (OSBI).

The office is charged with evaluating all federal grant opportunities to make sure the funding is not tied to burdensome regulations or mandates that wrest power from the states or impede economic growth.

“Most of us would agree that Washington, DC is broken, spending taxpayer dollars wildly, seizing power from the states and intruding into our daily lives,” Tomes said. “I’m grateful for a governor that stands up for Indiana and is willing to tell the federal government no. This is an important step toward reestablishing our state rights and our sovereignty.”

Pence signed Executive Order 13-20 during the Rotary Club of Evansville’s weekly meeting held at the Tropicana Evansville conference center on Tuesday, July 30. In his speech to Rotary members and state leaders, Pence said the OSBI will help “reduce federal regulatory burdens on state and local governments, taxpayers and Hoosier businesses.”

“I was pleased to support Governor Pence in the creation of this vital new office that will promote state innovation and solutions rather than accept top-down federal mandates,” Becker said. “Hoosiers will be best served by a state government that holds Washington accountable and refuses to tie taxpayers to regulations that could hurt small business growth and lead to higher taxes down the road.”

The OSBI will track the costs of federal regulations by coordinating with other state agencies, studying data and seeking input from businesses and Hoosiers.