Governor Talks Workforce, DCS, Port In 2018 State Of The State

By Mike Perleberg Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday, January 10, 2018. Photo by Governor Eric Holcomb/Facebook. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - In his annual State of the State address Tuesday, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb made mention of progress on a proposed Ohio River port in Lawrenceburg. “We’re completing due diligence to add a fourth water port in Southeastern Indiana, and we’re working to add more direct flights in growing cities like South Bend, Fort Wayne and Evansville to strengthen Indiana’s connection with markets throughout the country and the world,” Holcomb said in a portion of his speech about improving the state’s infrastructure. Much of the governor’s 29-minute speech, however, focused on ensuring there will be enough qualified workers to staff businesses at that southeastern Indiana port, as well as thousands more companies across Indiana. Holcomb has identified workforce development as the number-one item in his Next Level agenda. “This is the defining issue of the decade, and we don’t have a day to waste,” he said. “That’s why, of my five pillars, developing a skilled and ready workforce will demand the greatest focus and collaboration.” RELATED: Gov. Holcomb’s Full State Of The State Speech The Republican governor said there are 85,000 unfilled jobs in Indiana because employers cannot find people with the right skills. The number will only grow as new businesses set up shop in the state with 30,000 new jobs and Baby Boomers retire. Holcomb is pitching ideas such as funding and requiring every Indiana school to offer computer science courses, establishing new regional workforce development groups, encouraging 700,000 Hoosiers who didn’t finish college to complete their degree, and expanding the Jobs for America’s Graduates program. Aiding those afflicted by drug addiction may also help address some workforce needs. Holcomb called for requiring physicians to use the state’s prescription drug monitoring system, INSPECT, before issuing an opioid prescription. He wants drug dealers connected to a fatal overdose to be charged with the highest-level felony. Improved reporting of drug overdose deaths in the state is another call to action. The governor vowed that he will do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of the Indiana Department of Child Services. A new focus has been put on the agency by the recent resignation of director Mary Beth Bonaventura, whose resignation letter to Holcomb stated actions by Holcomb’s administration would put children’s lives at risk. Holcomb vowed to share updates and be transparent about an assessment of DCS by a non-profit organization. But House Democratic leader Terry Goodin (R-Austin) says that’s not enough. “That is serious business to me as a legislator, just as a human. And for some reason that message that Judge Bonaventure gave the other day is just not resonating with the other side,” Goodin said in a post-speech press interview. While Democrats are calling for a legislative investigation of DCS, GOP leaders in the House and Senate have deferred any analysis of the agency to the study ordered by the governor. Holcomb concluded the address by calling on Hoosiers exhibit civility in policy discussions and to focus on what they have in common, not what divides them. “Colleagues, fellow Hoosiers: What a moment! It’s a moment we’ve built toward, a moment full of potential. It’s Indiana’s time. We have an unprecedented opportunity to take Indiana to the Next Level and, along the way, help transform the lives of more Hoosier children, students and citizens than ever before. I don’t know about you, but there’s no place I’d rather be and there’s no one I’d rather share the journey with. God Bless you all, and may God continue to bless our great state,” he ended.