INDIANAPOLIS– State Senator David Niezgodski (D-South Bend) released the following statement at the conclusion of the Governor’s State of the State Address.

“I am extremely hopeful for the 2024 Legislative Session. After reviewing the Governor’s legislative priorities and attending his State of the State address, I remain positive about the potential to craft bipartisan policies to help Hoosiers throughout our great state.

“I am glad that one of my chief priorities is aligned with the Governor’s own. Securing an annual 13^th Check for our retired public servants has come to the top of my agenda again and again since I joined the Senate in 2016. I believe that collaboratively working together with all of my colleagues in the House and the Senate, a 13^th check for our retired public employees and teachers should be simple common-sense.

“We have seen historic investments in St. Joseph County in just the last few years from the new Potato Creek State Park Inn to the $3.5 billion G.M./Samsung EV Battery Plant.  Just as exciting, North Central Indiana will have the opportunity once again to compete in the next round for READI 2.0 Grants, and the opportunity to secure yet millions of dollars in additional economic development opportunities. For decades, we have properly invested in the infrastructure and technology necessary so that St. Joseph County is now shovel-ready and headed towards its brightest days.”