House passes Pfaff plan to strengthen ties between state & military

Indiana House members today approved legislation co-sponsored by State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) that is designed to strengthen the ties between Indiana, the military bases located within the state, and the defense industry.

Senate Bill 459 creates the Indiana Defense Task Force, a nine-member group that will examine the relationships that currently exist between Indiana’s military community and the state and local units of government in the areas where the state’s eleven military assets are located. Those assets include Hulman Field in Terre Haute and the Crane Army Ammunition Activity in Martin County.

“These assets, which include all branches of the military, contain an economic impact that is substantial in our state,” Pfaff said. “This is a $6.5 billion industry that affects more than 500,000 lives and jobs. That not only includes our men and women in uniform, but defense-related industries like Rolls Royce, Raytheon, General Dynamics, and AM General as well.”

Pfaff said the legislation gives the new task force a series of objectives, including strengthening state support for military families and veterans in such areas as education, health care, and employment.

“This group also will identify actions that can help expand the missions of our military bases, and perhaps enhance their potential in benefiting both the military and those who live and work in surrounding areas,” she noted.

Senate Bill 459, which was approved 95-0 in the House, now returns to the Senate for concurrence with changes made by representatives.