DeLaney congratulates Gov.Holcomb on his successful visit to Ukraine

Yesterday, Gov. Eric Holcomb visited Kyiv, Ukraine to create a future economic, academic and cultural partnership between the two governments. The governor met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Zhytomyr region and the state of Indiana. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement regarding the governor’s visit: 

“I’d like to congratulate our governor for visiting Kyiv. I’m proud of this show of support for the Ukrainian people. It’s clear that Indiana stands by the Ukrainian nation in the wake of Russia’s heinous invasion of their homeland. 

“Holcomb has enthusiastically cooperated with the legislature as we attempted to aid the Ukrainian nationals in Indiana under humanitarian parole status. 

“His visit creates the opportunity to help Ukraine rebuild post-war. Post-war reconstruction is a multidimensional process that requires the aid and resources of close political friends. 

“Holcomb's opinion piece in today’s IndyStar reflects the sentiments of thousands of Hoosiers. There’s an innate desire to help the underdog up against a global superpower. 

“I’m sure our governor will agree with me when I say: Slava Ukraini!” 

DeLaney comments on IEDC request for additional LEAP funding

Today, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation requested an additional $97 million for the LEAP District from the State Budget Committee. The IEDC plans to use this funding for site strategies, continued infrastructure investments and to purchase more acreage. 

State Rep Ed. DeLaney released the following statement regarding the IEDC’s request: 

“It’s absurd. They’re presenting the taxpayers with a blank check, and they’re asking the legislators to sign it. They haven’t identified the total cost of the LEAP project. I’m not in the business of buying something when I haven’t seen the price tag. The answers they gave weren’t sufficient. It’s our duty as legislators to monitor how public money is spent. We have no mechanism to do that.  

“It’s time we stop acting at the speed of a business and act like a state. Let’s protect the interests of the public. I’m glad that they’ve put a pause on the LEAP pipeline discussion until we have ample research. Let’s do that with the whole project. ”