INDIANAPOLIS — Senate Bill (SB) 228, legislation strengthening the Midwest Continental Divide Commission, passed the Indiana Senate unanimously. State Sen. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend), author of the bill, released the following statement:
“I am grateful to my second and third authors, Sens. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) and Linda Rogers (R-Elkhart) and co-authors Sens. Mark Spencer (D-Gary) and Rodney Pol Jr. (D-Chesterton), along with the unanimous bipartisan support of the Senate Chamber,” Niezgodski said. “The Midwest Continental Divide Commission is rooted in revitalizing the South Bend area and increasing connectivity between significant parts of St. Joseph County.”
Niezgodski successfully advanced related legislation last year and secured $2 million annually for each of the next 20 years in the state budget to fund this Commission.
“The establishment of the Commission will now approach its final stage of formulation when the Councils of South Bend and St. Joseph County meet to determine ordinance language setting in motion a visionary trails system that will extend from the State Line to Potato Creek State Park and taking in the Indiana Dinosaur Museum, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi lands, the Lydick Bog, and eight surrounding lakes,” Niezgodski explains.
“I look forward to continued support as the bill moves to the House of Representatives,” Niezgodski said.
