Holcomb Announces 2022 Agenda, Emphasizing Tax Decreases And Workforce Development

• By Alexa Shrake, TheStatehouseFile.com
• Jan 3, 2022

Gov. Eric Holcomb and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announce their 2022 legislative agenda Monday.

INDIANAPOLIS—Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his 2022 agenda Monday at the Statehouse, saying he is prioritizing five main areas.

The six-week legislative session begins Tuesday.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my friends in the building tomorrow,” Holcomb said.

One of his focuses will be on economic development.

Holcomb highlighted the taxpayer refund coming to 900,000 Hoosiers, who will automatically receive it this year due to the 2021 tax surplus. He also listed modernizing the Indiana Economic Development Corporation by providing flexibility within tax incentive programs, attracting more remote worker jobs to the state and creating a funding mechanism to invest in economic development opportunities.

“I want people to call Indiana home,” Holcomb said.

He wants to strengthen early learning opportunities to best prepare children for kindergarten, launch an Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, and connect unemployed Hoosiers with employers, jobs and training with a data-driven workforce system.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch spoke about mental health priorities and plans to implement a comprehensive strategy to support mental health by growing access and reducing stigma.

“Everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed in life,” Crouch said.

The governor also wants to strengthen guidelines for childhood lead screening and reduce infant mortality by requiring a more comprehensive autopsy for sudden unexpected infant death investigations.

His agenda calls for more collaboration with local governments to strengthen cybersecurity protections and roll out a $500 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative program in 17 regions.

The governor wishes to better connect communities by completing roads, bridges, trails and broadband projects.

“We have to be better connected,” Holcomb said. “There will be a lot of orange cones—patience is required.”

He also wants to include more civilians in the Law Enforcement Training Board and focus on firefighter safety.

“I appreciate the governor laying out his priorities to continue Indiana’s positive momentum in 2022,” said House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said in a press release. “I look forward to working with him and our Senate colleagues on our shared legislative priorities this session.

“House Republicans also remain focused on our efforts to support Hoosier families and keep money in taxpayers’ pockets.”

President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville concurred.

“Though this is a short session, there is undoubtedly a lot of work ahead, and we are ready to work with our colleagues in the House of Representatives and Gov. Holcomb to continue making improvements for our state,” Bray said.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, reacted positively to Holcomb’s agenda.

“Gov. Holcomb’s legislative agenda is a refreshing divergence from the priorities we’ve seen from legislative Republicans—rather than the divisive, culture war type of bills we’ve seen filed—he seems keen on improving early learning and public health outcomes for Hoosiers,” he said.

FOOTNOTE: Alexa Shrake is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.