Klinker appointed to committees, ready to serve

State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) is returning to the Statehouse with appointments to three committees: Ways and Means Budget Committee, Education and Agriculture and Rural Development. Klinker offered the following statement regarding her committee appointments today:

“On Ways and Means, I'm looking forward to helping craft a budget that uses the state's large surplus to benefit all Hoosiers. In a time when so many people are struggling to simply scrape by, we, in the General Assembly have an obligation to help enhance the quality of life for all of our constituents. We can do that by creating a responsible, yet thorough budget that prioritizes the needs of Hoosiers.

“As a retired teacher in the Lafayette School Corporation and a participant in the 'Read to Succeed' program sponsored by the United Way and the Chamber of Commerce, I'm excited to continue using my background to strengthen schools, increase funding for adult education and higher ed, as well as raising teachers' and police officers' salaries. Our students are the future of Indiana, and we would accomplish a lot by prioritizing the needs of our young Hoosiers. I'm glad to see Gov. Holcomb calling for the elimination of textbook fees. This is something that House Democrats have been championing for a long time, and I'm excited to work with my colleagues to lift this burden for Hoosier families. It is also my hope is that we can create a universal pre-k system that will enhance our children's educational outcomes while also allowing more parents to join our workforce.

“Governor Holcomb is recommending large increases in funding for health priorities. Adequately funding public health – including increased funding for mental health care programs – is one of my priorities this session. We have the means to create a budget that will have positive impacts on Indiana for years to come, and it's my hope we can work together to make it happen. 

“We also have an obligation to our farmers, whose hard work keeps our state running. On the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, I'm ready to work with my colleagues to help farmers and those living in rural parts of our great state thrive. One of the first steps to that is enhancing access to broadband to help folks living in rural areas.”