Gov. Pence Unveils His Legislative Agenda

INDIANAPOLIS -- State and local road funding, harsher penalties for drug dealers, and holding schools harmless for a drop in ISTEP scores – those are some of the initiatives Gov. Mike Pence says will be part of his legislative agenda for the upcoming session.  

Pence unveiled his $1 billion state road funding plan months ago, a proposal that spends down the state’s budget reserves and incorporates bonding.  He signed on last month to a Senate Republican local road funding bill worth more than $400 million dollars. 

The Governor’s drug task force crafted his drug abuse package – bills that include greater availability of the overdose drug naloxone and providing minors with immunity from drug charges if they seek emergency help. 

And Pence has long said he wants teachers and schools shielded from a drop in ISTEP scores. 

Pence, who opted not to speak with reporters about his agenda, choosing instead to send out a written statement, did add a few new items to his agenda.  One proposal would create a savings program for families with special needs relatives, allowing them to put money aside for disability-related payments.  Another bill would ensure children who are victims of human trafficking are helped by the Department of Child Services.  He also wants to codify HIP 2.0, putting the healthcare program’s structure and objectives into Indiana statute.  

Pence is silent on the issue of protecting LGBT Hoosiers from discrimination,which Democrats say puts the state’s reputation further at risk.

The 2016 session begins Tuesday.