As Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb was explaining his 2019 Legislative agenda to the media, he was getting a mixed reaction from Statehouse officials.   Republicans say the look forward to working with Holcomb, while Democrats say they were looking forward to a bolder agenda.   You can hear the Governor in the Leon-Tailored audio above, while reaction from Indiana lawmakers is below.

Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray

  • “I value the sound working relationship that I and my fellow caucus members have with Gov. Holcomb, and I applaud his ongoing efforts to improve the Hoosier state. “My colleagues and I look forward to a productive session as we collaborate with the governor to help make Indiana a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

House Speaker Brian Bosma

  • “I look forward to working with Governor Holcomb on our shared priorities ranging from strengthening our state’s workforce and booming economy to improving teacher pay and school safety policies. We appreciate the governor’s leadership and vision for 2019, and look forward to working with him and our Senate colleagues next session to meet the state’s needs and build on Indiana’s success story.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jennifer McCormick

  • “We welcome the announcement of the Governor’s legislative agenda and celebrate those areas of alignment to the Indiana Department of Education’s Legislative Priorities, released on October 1, 2018. In areas of agreement, the Department stands ready to assist and will continue to champion what benefits Indiana students.  “Comprising more than 50 percent of the budget, K-12 education is one the most important investments we can make in our students, our educators, our communities, and our State. The Indiana Department of Education will advocate for nothing less than a fiscally responsible and student-centered outcome to the 2019 legislative session, which must also empower, respect, and reward educators.”

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta

  • “Today’s announcement is not earth-shattering or ground-breaking.  I suspect most people are in favor of improving school funding, increasing teacher pay, helping veterans, reducing infant mortality, and helping create a better-trained workforce. These are easily supportable goals. What we do need is bold action from this governor that says we must increase teacher pay right now. We don’t need to study this issue before making a final decision. We need to increase teacher pay.  What will be more interesting to see is the level of support the governor gets from his own party in the Legislature because there have been problems in the past in getting more funding for our schools, to name just one thing mentioned today. That’s not even mentioning the problems in passing a bias crimes law, which probably would already be in place in our state if it wasn’t for the Republicans in the General Assembly. As they say, the devil is in the details. I’m not sure House Democrats will need much selling. Republicans in the House and Senate might.”

John Zody, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman

  • “Three years in, Governor Holcomb continues to look for legislative layups. While we’re glad he’s finally at the table regarding an inclusive hate crimes law, his agenda is a cautious, caretaker approach sharply out of sync with the reality Hoosier families face. An underfunded preschool program, the surging cost of living, stagnant wages and record opioid deaths underscore the need for big, bold ideas. It’s a little-risk, little-reward approach befitting of a shrewd politician but leadership, it is not. It’s a privilege to lead our state. If you’re unwilling or unable to tackle our state’s biggest problems, what are you getting up to do every day? Measuring the curtains isn’t enough.”