TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Vigo County Public Library was host to a legislative crackerbarrel that let the community voice concerns to local lawmakers.
Senate Bill 202, which focuses on higher education, was the central topic of discussion. State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D) explained some of the concerns about this bill.
“From what constituents said today, it will really effect higher education institutes,” she said. “Economically, the faculty will have a lot more constraints on them and they may not even want to come to Indiana or leave Indiana.”
Concerns about Wabash Valley Resources and the carbon wells project in West Terre Haute were led to more discussion at the Saturday meeting. State Rep. Bruce Borders (R) said that at this point there isn’t much lawmakers could do to halt the process.
“We talked to many concerned citizens about this topic today said that this has been a topic in this country for years and that it was something that has been passed on many levels,” he said.
In reference to Senate Bill 202, Borders went over the steps he plans to take now that he knows how much this legislation could impact local higher education institutions.
“It allows me to get a hold of the chairman of the education committee, Bob Behning, and talk to him ahead of time and talk about the details, go in and read the bill, read the summaries on the physical side of it, and just get a better look at what the bill is all about,” said Borders.
Borders said that these meetings will always be a vital piece in the decision-making process.
“That rapport that we have back and forth, there is nothing more powerful than that,” added Borders.
The next Crackerbarrel session is scheduled for Saturday, March 9.
