Closure looms over children's home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - When state lawmakers failed to pass a budget last week they guaranteed a special session of the General Assembly, but it may not come in time to save the Soldiers and Sailors Children's Home in Knightstown.

Classes at the children’s home end May 23. The scheduled closing date is May 30, according to orders issued in January. Never mind that state lawmakers from both parties and both chambers in the legislature voted to keep the facility open in the time since.

Rep. Tom Saunders (R) of Lewisville said, "Both budgets had the $10 million funding in there for a year."

A pair of Statehouse rallies helped convince lawmakers to conduct a study into the future need for the children's home, while giving that one-year reprieve.

"Look, there was bi-partisan legislative support to keep the home open. People realized that there is a need and there is a way to make this work fiscally," said Rep. Scott Reske (D) of Pendleton.

But then, at the last minute, the budget that contained the funding for the children's home died in the final minutes of the General Assembly for unrelated reasons. Now, the governor is back in control.

A spokesperson for the governor said that because of the lack of a budget, plans for the children's home are under review. But, she said, the primary option is closure.

Key lawmakers have just one option.

"Well, we try to get a commitment from the governor that he doesn't close it before we come back, whenever that may be," said Rep. Saunders.

A special session to resurrect the budget is expected to come after the May 30 closing date.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the American Legion called on lawmakers to find the courage to speak out in support of the children's home. Some of those lawmakers plan to make an appeal to the governor this week.