Latest news with #Slager
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Slager, Dernulc face questions about Medicaid, property taxes at Schererville town hall
Residents asked Indiana State Rep. Hal Slager and State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, direct questions about Medicaid, property taxes and education during a town hall meeting in Schererville Saturday. Going into the current budget session, Slager, R-Schererville, said the legislature has had to grapple with two challenges: A 'skinny revenue forecast' and an increase in the Medicaid costs the state has to fund. Indiana has seen an increase in the number of people on Medicaid, which is paid for by the state and federal government, Slager said. In 2023, 21.8% of Indiana residents were signed up for Medicaid coverage, according to Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy. Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, authored Senate Bill 2 which would place restrictions on Medicaid, like work requirements on an insurance program for Hoosiers between the ages of 19 to 64. Mishler called Senate Bill 2 the 'right size' for Medicaid, which has grown exponentially in recent years. In the last four years, Medicaid costs have grown by $5 billion, he said. Meanwhile, since COVID, Medicaid participants have nearly doubled — from 390,000 to 750,000. 'We're trying to find ways to reduce that cost,' Slager said. 'You can see how that's just eating into our ability to have any flexibility.' During a meeting last year, Slager said he met with a healthcare administrator to discuss pediatric care, which Slager has filed bills about. They were meeting for the first time to discuss the issue, but Slager said he ended the meeting early after he learned that the woman's sole job was to help people sign up for Medicaid. 'I said to her, 'we don't need to continue this meeting because your agenda and my agenda are completely opposite',' Slager said. 'I said, 'because I want to see people independent from government help and you want them on government help. This isn't going to work.'' The state's Department of Education, Family and Social Services Administration and Medicaid saw an increase in funding, while other departments are 'taking a hair cut' in the budget, Slager said. Irene Martin, of Schererville, said the Baby Boomer generation has been entering the Medicaid system in recent years and will continue to in years to come. She asked if the legislature is taking that into consideration as it debates Medicaid cuts. 'The numbers are the numbers, and we've just seen this big growth,' Slager said. 'When it comes to people over 65, we have a share of costs in their long-term care.' Betsy Hunt, of Schererville, said people from Illinois have been moving to Northwest Indiana in retirement for the lower property tax costs. That could be contributing to the 'silver tsunami' of people joining Medicaid, she said. 'I don't know what all the answers are in trying to contain that cost,' Slager said. 'What I don't know, and (Family and Social Services Administration) may know, is what percentage of that growth is directly related to the Baby Boomers.' Gene Ranieri, of Dyer, said he was the only dentistry specialist to accept Medicaid for 30 years. 'We need to shoulder some of the burden for people who have less than us,' Ranieri said. 'I know that Medicaid costs are great, but to me, that is part of what being American is about.' The legislature also has been busy discussing Senate Bill 1, which is property tax reform, that has shifted in recent weeks from Gov. Mike Braun's proposed plan to a Senate amendment which offers some relief to taxpayers but at the same time, not cutting revenues to schools, counties and municipalities as deeply as Braun's plan. Two weeks ago, the House Ways and Means committee heard Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 518, which would require school corporations to share referendum dollars with local charter schools, which saw nearly 150 people signed up to testify to speak on the two bills, Slager said. Last week, Senate Bill 1 was amended further to strip the bill and include language House Bill 1402, authored by House Ways and Means committee chairman Jeffrey Thompson. Thompson, R-Lizton, said the hallmark of House Bill 1402 is a 5-year phase-in of exemptions and deductions so that every parcel in the state hits the property tax cap. Thompson's plan calls for some deductions for homesteads to be replaced, lowering business personal property tax floors, and shifting the authorization of local income taxes. The fiscal impact of Thompson's bill would cut $362.8 million across the state through 2028, including $76.7 million from counties, $147.2 million from cities and towns, $186.2 million from school corporations, and $2.1 million from libraries. The fiscal impact of the previous two plans cut billions of dollars from these entities. Slager said he hasn't received many emails or calls from constituents complaining that their property taxes are too high. Slager said Lake County Finance Director Scott Schmal completed a study that found that property taxes are increasing for homeowners because their assessed values have increased more than assessed values for businesses. Thompson's bill is 'a very good proposal, however, it turns the whole system upside down' and still requires local governments to cut their budgets and services, Slager said. Jillian Schranz, of Dyer, said while no one likes to pay taxes, the majority of homeowners don't mind paying their current property tax rate because it pays for local services. Tri-Creek School Corporation Superintendent Andy Anderson said his school district, and other nearby districts, have made major cuts in recent years because referendums did not pass. The districts cut 'all their 'wants' and they are now down to bare minimum needs,' he said. As Braun and the legislature have a desire to fund charter and private schools, that is 'a want and not a need' for the state, Anderson said. When reviewing education-related bills the Senate and House have proposed, Anderson said the district's chief business officer made various calculations, and one scenario revealed that the district would receive an annual increase of $720. 'We're at a time where maybe we need to pump the brakes on expanding the voucher system,' Anderson said. When it comes to property taxes, Anderson asked if it is an issue that the legislature could 'hit the pause button and really take our time to sort through instead of run and jamming through' an issue that could lead to unintended consequences. Slager said the bill will be heard in committee, with public comment, for as long as needed. 'We're gonna see where it goes,' Slager said. House Bill 1461, authored by state Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, would allow the state to charge tolls on all Indiana interstate highways, including I-80/94 and I-65. Slager said with more fuel-efficient cars and with the price of road funding 'going up dramatically' in recent years, the state finds itself in the position where it is nearly $1 billion short to cover its road funding costs. The state funds road maintenance entirely through fuel tax, he said. There is 'a whole lot of stuff' in House Bill 1461, Slager said, but at one point it included language that would exclude toll roads within 75 miles of nearby toll roads, which would've protected Northwest Indiana from being tolled. But, that language was removed, he said. The concern with tolling, Slager said, is that people will avoid the toll roads and drive down local roads. Another concern, he said, is that if another toll road was set up in Northwest Indiana it would be leased, which would mean the state wouldn't have control over it. The Republican supermajority in Indiana has been following other states in stripping away rights from those in the LGTBQ community, Schranz said. When Indiana inevitably introduces a bill to criminalize Indiana residents based on who they love or their gender, Schranz asked Slager and Dernulc for a commitment that they wouldn't support legislation that would criminalize residents based on who they love or their gender. Slager said he doesn't want to criminalize residents. Dernulc said he agreed, but he would have to see the bill. 'We're not on the same page about this,' Schranz said. 'The families in your district, despite any of your own personal beliefs, deserve to be respected.' Daria Depa, of Schererville, asked why the state legislature wouldn't pass a bill to allow for ballot initiatives for residents to vote on matters that relate to education, marijuana, abortions and other issues. 'That's what you elect us for,' Slager said. akukulka@
Chicago Tribune
17-03-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Slager, Dernulc face questions about Medicaid, property taxes at Schererville town hall
Residents asked Indiana State Rep. Hal Slager and State Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, direct questions about Medicaid, property taxes and education during a town hall meeting in Schererville Saturday. Going into the current budget session, Slager, R-Schererville, said the legislature has had to grapple with two challenges: A 'skinny revenue forecast' and an increase in the Medicaid costs the state has to fund. Indiana has seen an increase in the number of people on Medicaid, which is paid for by the state and federal government, Slager said. In 2023, 21.8% of Indiana residents were signed up for Medicaid coverage, according to Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy. Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, authored Senate Bill 2 which would place restrictions on Medicaid, like work requirements on an insurance program for Hoosiers between the ages of 19 to 64. Mishler called Senate Bill 2 the 'right size' for Medicaid, which has grown exponentially in recent years. In the last four years, Medicaid costs have grown by $5 billion, he said. Meanwhile, since COVID, Medicaid participants have nearly doubled — from 390,000 to 750,000. 'We're trying to find ways to reduce that cost,' Slager said. 'You can see how that's just eating into our ability to have any flexibility.' During a meeting last year, Slager said he met with a healthcare administrator to discuss pediatric care, which Slager has filed bills about. They were meeting for the first time to discuss the issue, but Slager said he ended the meeting early after he learned that the woman's sole job was to help people sign up for Medicaid. 'I said to her, 'we don't need to continue this meeting because your agenda and my agenda are completely opposite',' Slager said. 'I said, 'because I want to see people independent from government help and you want them on government help. This isn't going to work.'' The state's Department of Education, Family and Social Services Administration and Medicaid saw an increase in funding, while other departments are 'taking a hair cut' in the budget, Slager said. Irene Martin, of Schererville, said the Baby Boomer generation has been entering the Medicaid system in recent years and will continue to in years to come. She asked if the legislature is taking that into consideration as it debates Medicaid cuts. 'The numbers are the numbers, and we've just seen this big growth,' Slager said. 'When it comes to people over 65, we have a share of costs in their long-term care.' Betsy Hunt, of Schererville, said people from Illinois have been moving to Northwest Indiana in retirement for the lower property tax costs. That could be contributing to the 'silver tsunami' of people joining Medicaid, she said. 'I don't know what all the answers are in trying to contain that cost,' Slager said. 'What I don't know, and (Family and Social Services Administration) may know, is what percentage of that growth is directly related to the Baby Boomers.' Gene Ranieri, of Dyer, said he was the only dentistry specialist to accept Medicaid for 30 years. 'We need to shoulder some of the burden for people who have less than us,' Ranieri said. 'I know that Medicaid costs are great, but to me, that is part of what being American is about.' The legislature also has been busy discussing Senate Bill 1, which is property tax reform, that has shifted in recent weeks from Gov. Mike Braun's proposed plan to a Senate amendment which offers some relief to taxpayers but at the same time, not cutting revenues to schools, counties and municipalities as deeply as Braun's plan. Two weeks ago, the House Ways and Means committee heard Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 518, which would require school corporations to share referendum dollars with local charter schools, which saw nearly 150 people signed up to testify to speak on the two bills, Slager said. Last week, Senate Bill 1 was amended further to strip the bill and include language House Bill 1402, authored by House Ways and Means committee chairman Jeffrey Thompson. Thompson, R-Lizton, said the hallmark of House Bill 1402 is a 5-year phase-in of exemptions and deductions so that every parcel in the state hits the property tax cap. Thompson's plan calls for some deductions for homesteads to be replaced, lowering business personal property tax floors, and shifting the authorization of local income taxes. The fiscal impact of Thompson's bill would cut $362.8 million across the state through 2028, including $76.7 million from counties, $147.2 million from cities and towns, $186.2 million from school corporations, and $2.1 million from libraries. The fiscal impact of the previous two plans cut billions of dollars from these entities. Slager said he hasn't received many emails or calls from constituents complaining that their property taxes are too high. Slager said Lake County Finance Director Scott Schmal completed a study that found that property taxes are increasing for homeowners because their assessed values have increased more than assessed values for businesses. Thompson's bill is 'a very good proposal, however, it turns the whole system upside down' and still requires local governments to cut their budgets and services, Slager said. Jillian Schranz, of Dyer, said while no one likes to pay taxes, the majority of homeowners don't mind paying their current property tax rate because it pays for local services. Tri-Creek School Corporation Superintendent Andy Anderson said his school district, and other nearby districts, have made major cuts in recent years because referendums did not pass. The districts cut 'all their 'wants' and they are now down to bare minimum needs,' he said. As Braun and the legislature have a desire to fund charter and private schools, that is 'a want and not a need' for the state, Anderson said. When reviewing education-related bills the Senate and House have proposed, Anderson said the district's chief business officer made various calculations, and one scenario revealed that the district would receive an annual increase of $720. 'We're at a time where maybe we need to pump the brakes on expanding the voucher system,' Anderson said. When it comes to property taxes, Anderson asked if it is an issue that the legislature could 'hit the pause button and really take our time to sort through instead of run and jamming through' an issue that could lead to unintended consequences. Slager said the bill will be heard in committee, with public comment, for as long as needed. 'We're gonna see where it goes,' Slager said. House Bill 1461, authored by state Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, would allow the state to charge tolls on all Indiana interstate highways, including I-80/94 and I-65. Slager said with more fuel-efficient cars and with the price of road funding 'going up dramatically' in recent years, the state finds itself in the position where it is nearly $1 billion short to cover its road funding costs. The state funds road maintenance entirely through fuel tax, he said. There is 'a whole lot of stuff' in House Bill 1461, Slager said, but at one point it included language that would exclude toll roads within 75 miles of nearby toll roads, which would've protected Northwest Indiana from being tolled. But, that language was removed, he said. The concern with tolling, Slager said, is that people will avoid the toll roads and drive down local roads. Another concern, he said, is that if another toll road was set up in Northwest Indiana it would be leased, which would mean the state wouldn't have control over it. The Republican supermajority in Indiana has been following other states in stripping away rights from those in the LGTBQ community, Schranz said. When Indiana inevitably introduces a bill to criminalize Indiana residents based on who they love or their gender, Schranz asked Slager and Dernulc for a commitment that they wouldn't support legislation that would criminalize residents based on who they love or their gender. Slager said he doesn't want to criminalize residents. Dernulc said he agreed, but he would have to see the bill. 'We're not on the same page about this,' Schranz said. 'The families in your district, despite any of your own personal beliefs, deserve to be respected.' Daria Depa, of Schererville, asked why the state legislature wouldn't pass a bill to allow for ballot initiatives for residents to vote on matters that relate to education, marijuana, abortions and other issues. 'That's what you elect us for,' Slager said.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gary repayment bill for East Chicago, Michigan City passes House without discussion
The Indiana House passed a bill requiring the city of Gary to pay more than $12 million to East Chicago and Michigan City, which means the bill needs Senate approval before reaching Gov. Mike Braun's desk. House Bill 1448 – authored by Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville – addresses a state comptroller's mistake with supplemental payments that were added into state law during the 2019 session. Ahead of Thursday's vote, Slager said the bill works to fix 'a misalignment of gaming revenue that was altered for four years through the movement of a gaming license and a hold harmless agreement.' 'We've got to get this straightened out and give the comptroller the authority to get that taken care of. This is a compromise solution,' Slager said. The bill passed 89-2, with Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, and Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend, voting against it. Hatcher was unable to immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Funds were sent to Gary that should have been distributed to East Chicago and Michigan City to ease the financial burden following the move of the Majestic Star casinos to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, located along Interstate 80/94, according to Post-Tribune archives. Gary owes East Chicago more than $6.4 million and Michigan City more than $5.7 million, according to bill documents. Slager, on Wednesday, proposed an amendment to House Bill 1448, which passed the House in the bill's second reading. Both cities might receive compensation for any missing funds during the 2025 fiscal year, according to the amendment. Hammond was also included in the amendment, saying the city could receive payments if it is also missing funds during the 2025 fiscal year. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott previously told the Post-Tribune that since Hard Rock Casino opened, Horseshoe in Hammond has lost about $15-20 million each year. The city's yearly revenue is about $130 million, he added. Hammond was included in the 2019 bill that awarded supplemental payments. 'We've had to adjust on the fly, but life would be a lot easier if we had the revenue that we had originally,' McDermott said. 'No doubt about it, there was a transfer of wealth from those cities to Gary.' Slager's amendment also says that the state comptroller can deduct $166,666.67 from Gary to make the supplemental payments. The comptroller cannot deduct more than $2 million in a fiscal year. Money for supplemental payments will come from the deducted amount and money appropriated by the Indiana General Assembly for making the payments, according to the amendment. Before the amendment, House Bill 1448 included a three-year plan for Gary's payments. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, approximately $1.4 million should be paid to Michigan City for the funds not paid in fiscal year 2021, according to the bill. Starting in fiscal year 2026, approximately $2.9 million should be paid to East Chicago and approximately $2.2 million should be paid to Michigan City for funds not paid in fiscal year 2022, according to the bill. For fiscal year 2027, approximately $3.6 million should be paid to East Chicago and approximately $2.2 million to Michigan City for funds not paid in fiscal year 2023, according to the bill. Gary officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about House Bill 1448 and how it will impact the city's finances. When the bill was announced, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton released a statement saying he was shocked at the dramatic impact it would have on the city. Melton believes Gary shouldn't have to pay anything in 2025, his statement said. 'I worked closely with my administration and the Gary Common Council to pass a 2025 budget crafted to the needs of Gary citizens,' Melton's statement said. 'For this bill to be brought up at the last minute to address this egregious oversight is unjust.' mwilkins@
Chicago Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gary repayment bill for East Chicago, Michigan City passes House without discussion
The Indiana House passed a bill requiring the city of Gary to pay more than $12 million to East Chicago and Michigan City, which means the bill needs Senate approval before reaching Gov. Mike Braun's desk. House Bill 1448 – authored by Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville – addresses a state comptroller's mistake with supplemental payments that were added into state law during the 2019 session. Ahead of Thursday's vote, Slager said the bill works to fix 'a misalignment of gaming revenue that was altered for four years through the movement of a gaming license and a hold harmless agreement.' 'We've got to get this straightened out and give the comptroller the authority to get that taken care of. This is a compromise solution,' Slager said. The bill passed 89-2, with Rep. Ragen Hatcher, D-Gary, and Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend, voting against it. Hatcher was unable to immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Funds were sent to Gary that should have been distributed to East Chicago and Michigan City to ease the financial burden following the move of the Majestic Star casinos to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, located along Interstate 80/94, according to Post-Tribune archives. Gary owes East Chicago more than $6.4 million and Michigan City more than $5.7 million, according to bill documents. Slager, on Wednesday, proposed an amendment to House Bill 1448, which passed the House in the bill's second reading. Both cities might receive compensation for any missing funds during the 2025 fiscal year, according to the amendment. Hammond was also included in the amendment, saying the city could receive payments if it is also missing funds during the 2025 fiscal year. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott previously told the Post-Tribune that since Hard Rock Casino opened, Horseshoe in Hammond has lost about $15-20 million each year. The city's yearly revenue is about $130 million, he added. Hammond was included in the 2019 bill that awarded supplemental payments. 'We've had to adjust on the fly, but life would be a lot easier if we had the revenue that we had originally,' McDermott said. 'No doubt about it, there was a transfer of wealth from those cities to Gary.' Slager's amendment also says that the state comptroller can deduct $166,666.67 from Gary to make the supplemental payments. The comptroller cannot deduct more than $2 million in a fiscal year. Money for supplemental payments will come from the deducted amount and money appropriated by the Indiana General Assembly for making the payments, according to the amendment. Before the amendment, House Bill 1448 included a three-year plan for Gary's payments. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, approximately $1.4 million should be paid to Michigan City for the funds not paid in fiscal year 2021, according to the bill. Starting in fiscal year 2026, approximately $2.9 million should be paid to East Chicago and approximately $2.2 million should be paid to Michigan City for funds not paid in fiscal year 2022, according to the bill. For fiscal year 2027, approximately $3.6 million should be paid to East Chicago and approximately $2.2 million to Michigan City for funds not paid in fiscal year 2023, according to the bill. Gary officials have repeatedly expressed concerns about House Bill 1448 and how it will impact the city's finances. When the bill was announced, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton released a statement saying he was shocked at the dramatic impact it would have on the city. Melton believes Gary shouldn't have to pay anything in 2025, his statement said. 'I worked closely with my administration and the Gary Common Council to pass a 2025 budget crafted to the needs of Gary citizens,' Melton's statement said. 'For this bill to be brought up at the last minute to address this egregious oversight is unjust.'
Chicago Tribune
14-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
House committee passes Gary repayment bill for East Chicago, Michigan City
After postponing the vote, the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee has passed a bill that would require Gary to pay approximately $12.3 million to East Chicago and Michigan City. Indiana House Bill 1448 passed the committee in a 15-8 vote Thursday afternoon. The bill, authored by Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, addresses issues with supplemental payments that were added into state law during the 2019 session. A mistake by the Indiana State Comptroller sent funds to Gary that should've been distributed to East Chicago and Michigan City to ease the financial burden following the move of the Majestic Star casinos to Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, located along Interstate 80/94, according to Post-Tribune archives. Rep. Earl Harris, D-East Chicago, explained his vote before voting against the bill. 'We're in a situation here where the party that is responsible for the mistake is not really playing a role in resolving it,' Harris said. 'Three cities that are not responsible are being negatively impacted. House Bill 1448 has Gary repay the cities in three years. Harris proposed an amendment on Wednesday to give Gary 10 years to pay the funds. On Thursday, Harris changed his amendment, proposing the creation of a loan from the state that Gary could pay back over eight years. The loan would allow East Chicago and Michigan City to receive their missing funds up front, and Gary would not have to pay interest on the loan. 'This is a solution that is a win for all three cities,' Harris said during committee Thursday. 'Again, it's no fault of theirs that we are here, but we have to deal with this issue.' Multiple committee members agreed with Harris' amendment, saying that it's the best solution for all three cities, especially because East Chicago and Michigan City would not have to wait multiple years before receiving all the missing funds. Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, said he's disappointed that representatives were in this position because of a comptroller mistake. 'These are real people's lives,' Porter said. 'It's not just numbers on a chalkboard … I just can't believe that we're sitting here at this point.' On Thursday, the Ways and Means Committee denied the amendment in an 8-15 vote. Slager proposed an amendment Thursday that would limit the withholding to $3 million a year. Through the amendment, Slager said it would take Gary about six years to pay the cities back and would have to pay about $18 million. Harris said Slager's amendment would be more detrimental to all three cities because East Chicago and Michigan City wouldn't receive their full funds until 2030, and $3 million per year is still a substantial amount for Gary. Slager withdrew the amendment before the committee could vote. On Wednesday, Harris said he proposed his amendment in case Hammond is affected once 2025 numbers are released. Jennifer Thuma, general counsel for the comptroller's office, previously said Hammond was part of the original 2019 bill but wasn't included in House Bill 1448 because the city didn't see a decrease in wagering tax revenue. Thuma also said Gary won't receive additional distributions in 2025, according to Post-Tribune archives. Before amendments were proposed, House Bill 1448 laid out a three-year plan for Gary's payments to East Chicago and Michigan City. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, approximately $1.4 million should be paid to Michigan City for the funds not paid in fiscal year 2021, according to the bill. Starting in fiscal year 2026, approximately $2.9 million should be paid to East Chicago and approximately $2.2 million should be paid to Michigan City for funds not paid in fiscal year 2022, according to the bill. For fiscal year 2027, approximately $3.6 million should be paid to East Chicago and approximately $2.2 million to Michigan City for funds not paid in fiscal year 2023, according to the bill. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, City Controller Celita Green and Common Council Vice President Lori Latham, D-1st, spoke at a Ways and Means Committee meeting on Jan. 22 about how the bill would impact Gary's finances. Latham told committee members that House Bill 1448 would set Gary back and unravel the city's success. 'It was never really about gaming,' she told committee members on Jan. 22. 'Instead, it was an opportunity to optimize our casino license, one of the many economic development tools created by this body through legislation, and allowed us to use every asset at our disposal to catalyze our city's economic development, progress and upward mobility.' The House of Representatives will vote on House Bill 1448 at a later date.
