Pfaff celebrates roads and bridge funding for Vigo County

Vigo County will receive nearly $750,000 through the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) Community Crossings Matching Grant Program to improve local roads and bridges. The $749,799.61 in funding will help upgrade infrastructure, making daily commutes safer and more efficient for working Hoosier families, businesses, and visitors in our community. State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) applauded the funding and emphasized its importance for Vigo County residents.

“I’m thrilled that Vigo County has secured nearly $750,000 to improve our local roads and bridges," Pfaff said. "Strong infrastructure means safer commutes, smoother roadways, and a boost to local economic development. Whether it’s getting to work, dropping kids off at school, or transporting goods, these improvements will help make daily life easier for hard working Hoosier families.”

The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, announced today by Gov. Mike Braun and INDOT, awarded over $200 million statewide to support local infrastructure projects. The program is funded through Indiana’s local road and bridge matching fund, designed to assist counties, cities, and towns in maintaining and upgrading critical transportation networks.

In addition to celebrating this funding, Pfaff highlighted her ongoing efforts to secure long-term road funding solutions for Vigo County. She recently voted for House Bill 1461, now under consideration in the State Senate, which would allow for innovative funding methods to maintain and improve local roads.

“Terre Haute is quite literally the crossroads of America, and we need a road funding formula that reflects that reality," Pfaff said. "I will continue fighting for our fair share of state funding, including pushing to speed up construction of a third lane on I-70. Our community deserves reliable public infrastructure that keeps up with growth and demand.”

Pfaff files bill to enhance safety on I-70

State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) filed House Bill 1087 to shorten the timeline for critical infrastructure improvements along I-70, including the addition of a third lane. This legislation aims to alleviate chronic road congestion and enhance safety on this important stretch of roadway.

“Terre Haute is literally the crossroads of America, and we are proud to serve as a vital link in our local, state, and national economy,” Pfaff said. “While I am proud to represent this key thoroughfare, we must take action to make it safer and more efficient for everyone who relies on it. House Bill 1087 has the potential to bring critical investments to our community to achieve both of these goals.”

Pfaff emphasized the importance of modernizing infrastructure to support Hoosier families and businesses. “Far too many lives have been impacted by tragic accidents on I-70 caused by outdated infrastructure. This bill will help us address a decades-old problem, improve public safety, and reduce traffic delays that cost families and businesses valuable time and money,” she said.

“We want West Central Indiana to be a place where businesses thrive and families can live safely and comfortably,” Pfaff added. “Prioritizing infrastructure improvements like the expansion of I-70 is essential to keeping our area attractive and economically competitive. I’m proud to champion this legislation at the Statehouse as a member of the House Committee tasked with writing our state’s budget.”

Pfaff worked on the legislation in collaboration with local stakeholders, including the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.

“Tragic wrecks and hours of delays for travelers have plagued the stretch of I-70 near Terre Haute between the state line and Exit 41 for years,” said Kristin Craig, President and CEO of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. “The results have been loss of life, including families and children, and overall loss of confidence in this critical piece of infrastructure.

“With Indiana investing so much in its ability to grow, unaddressed issues such as the safety and reliability of this major thoroughfare will stagnate growth in West Central Indiana and impact the entire state. Due to overwhelming safety and economic impact concerns, the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce supports the legislation introduced by Representative Pfaff which allows the state to expedite the timeline of improvements along the I-70 corridor between the Illinois state line and Indianapolis. This would include prioritizing a third lane expansion in areas of greatest safety concern and key infrastructure components, such as bridges, along the corridor." 

Rep. Tonya Pfaff appointed to key committees focused on supporting working Hoosier families

Entering into her fourth legislative session, State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) has been appointed to three critical committees, positioning her to work on policies that directly benefit working Hoosier families. Pfaff will serve as the ranking minority member on the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and as a member of both the Committee on Education and the Committee on Ways and Means, which oversees the creation of Indiana’s state budget.

“These committees are at the heart of how we can make life better for working Hoosiers,” Pfaff said. “Whether it’s making sure our schools have the resources they need, ensuring our state budget reflects the priorities of hardworking families, or supporting the farmers and rural communities that drive Indiana’s economy, these appointments allow me to focus on what matters most: helping working Hoosiers get ahead.”

Pfaff emphasized the importance of her role on the Committee on Education, drawing from her 32 years of experience as a public school teacher. “Indiana’s Constitution makes it clear that education is a top priority. I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to provide our schools with the resources to help students succeed, support our teachers, and allow the time and space to achieve meaningful change. Every Hoosier child deserves access to a world-class education, and I’ll keep working to make that a reality.”

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Pfaff plans to focus on creating a state budget that supports the core needs of working families. “This budget session is an opportunity to deliver real results for Hoosiers—fixing roads, investing in schools, growing local businesses, and building a stronger foundation for our state’s economic success. A budget isn’t just numbers on a page; it’s a blueprint for a better future for all Hoosier families.”

Pfaff’s leadership on the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development reflects her commitment to rural communities and the farming families who are vital to Indiana’s economy. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state. By supporting our farmers and ensuring rural communities have access to the critical tools they need, we’re not only preserving a key part of our economy but investing in Indiana’s future,” she said.

The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8.

Rep. Pfaff calls for action on high school diploma proposal

State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) expressed frustration with the latest draft of Indiana’s high school diploma proposal, released on Oct. 9 by the State Board of Education (SBOE) and Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). Despite input from educators, parents, and legislators, the second draft still fails to address key issues like student transportation, counselor shortages, workplace safety, and long-term funding.

Rep. Pfaff stated:

“I'm deeply concerned that this second draft doesn't address the critical issues of funding, student safety, or the cuts made to student curriculum. With the December deadline approaching, there are too many unanswered questions about how these diploma changes will actually work.

“Indiana is facing a severe shortage of school counselors, with a shocking student-to-counselor ratio of 694 to 1. Yet again, this draft overlooks the real-world impact of asking schools to implement new systems without adequate support.

“There’s also no additional funding or resources offered to help current school staff. How can we expect overworked counselors to take on even more responsibilities, like guiding students through new, complex diploma tracks and explaining them to parents?

“Earlier this year, I was hopeful when the SBOE removed the confusing GPS Diploma options in favor of one base diploma. That showed they were listening to Hoosiers' concerns. But this second draft ignores the major issues educators and lawmakers have raised since then.

“We need to keep the pressure on the IDOE and SBOE to make real improvements before the December deadline. The public can submit feedback on the second draft until Nov. 8, and there will be another public meeting that day for people to share their thoughts directly. I urge everyone to participate.

“As it stands, this proposal is not good enough. Our students deserve better, and I’ll keep pushing for real changes until we get a diploma plan that works for everyone.”

Rep. Pfaff encourages Hoosiers to provide feedback by filling out the IDOE's online form and attending the Nov. 8 public commentary meeting.

The State Board of Education is accepting feedback on the proposed diplomas. All parents, students, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to share their concerns and can do so via the online form here. 

Pfaff demands FSSA take accountability for leaving Hoosier seniors out to dry

This July, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) launched the PathWays for Aging home- and community-based service (HCBS) Waiver for eligible Hoosiers aged 60 or older. According to the FSSA, the Medicaid managed care program was intended to improve the health and well-being of aging Hoosier populations. However, since the program's launch, many eligible Hoosiers have been left on a waitlist with no end in sight.

The PathWays Waiver has a total of 10,500 slots for newly eligible seniors, and 9,247 Hoosiers are currently on the waitlist. Despite the number of open slots exceeding the number of people on the waitlist, the FSSA is only filling 800 of those open slots each month from the waitlist. The thousands of Hoosiers remaining on the waitlist have been left pathless without adequate support or communication.

“With the thousands of applicants on the waitlist, this means that the FSSA plans to let Hoosier seniors wait an entire year to finally receive government services they've been paying into their entire lives,” State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) said. “Now, these same seniors are left without answers as they are forced to wait months for critical services.”

“I recently contacted the FSSA asking them to send a representative to assist concerned seniors at the Silver Birch assisted living in Terre Haute. This request was denied. The FSSA did not explain why they could not send a liaison to meet with these residents. Instead, the FSSA advised the individuals at Silver Birch to wade through a sea of red tape if they want any answers. The apathy shown by the FSSA towards our Hoosier seniors is unacceptable. I will do everything in my power to ensure that our seniors get the support they so desperately need.

“Left without any guidance or transparency from the FSSA, those stuck on the waitlist are now at risk of becoming unhoused and losing access to essential services. This is as irresponsible as it is unconscionable. It is unacceptable to allow the FSSA to take advantage of our vulnerable senior population by refusing to help them get the care they need.  Until the FSSA takes accountability for the mess they made, my office will continue to do what we can on behalf of affected seniors.”

Pfaff optimistic about updated diploma proposal, but some questions still remain unanswered

On Aug. 15, the State Board of Education (SBOE) released a second draft of the new, proposed high school diplomas. The second draft removes the GPS Diploma and GPS Diploma Plus options and instead offers one base diploma. Students can now obtain Honors and Honors Plus readiness seals in the following categories: enlistment and service, employment and enrollment. These changes follow a public comment period in which educators, parents, students and legislators shared their concerns.

State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) released the following statement regarding the updated draft proposals: 

“Though this second draft does offer improvements, there are still many unanswered questions that the SBOE must address. The proposed GPS and GPS Plus diplomas failed to offer diverse courses to make Hoosier students competitive compared to those from other states. I am optimistic that the new readiness seals will offer Hoosier students an opportunity to challenge themselves academically and provide a pathway for those aiming to attend college or university.

“However, as an educator, I still have concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing these changes into our current system. As students return to school after the long summer break, teachers and school staff must quickly adjust to the difficulties each new school year brings. But now, we also face uncertainty and lack of transparency stemming from the new high school diploma proposals.

“Currently, Indiana is experiencing a counselor crisis. Earlier this year, the American School Counselor Association reported that Indiana's student-to-counselor ratio is 694 to 1. Our school counselors are already stretched to their limit, so how can we expect them to take on the challenge of guiding students into a future that has yet to be mapped out? Without proper funding or resources directed to our schools and educational staff, it is unrealistic to further burden counselors with this challenge.

“Additionally, we have yet to receive any clarity on how schools are meant to implement work-based learning opportunities. How are we going to ferry students to and from their job sites? What about liability issues and safety concerns? How would we support students in rural areas who don't have the same job opportunities as their urban and suburban counterparts? Until these questions are answered, this second draft still has too many unresolved issues to proceed forward with confidence.

“Regardless of the work yet to be done, I want to thank everyone in my community who reached out to me about their concerns and provided feedback directly to the SBOE. I also want to thank the SBOE for listening and implementing changes when concerns were raised. Though there is still much to do, I am hopeful that these diploma changes are moving in a positive direction.”

The latest diploma proposal is not yet available on the Indiana Register. IDOE and SBOE will open another public comment period with an online portal and public forum, expected this fall. The final rule on the new diploma must be adopted by December 31, 2024.