INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Eric Holcomb is disputing allegations by his outgoing child welfare chief accusing his administration of slashing funding while Indiana is in the midst of an opioid crisis.
The Republican governor said Monday that funding for the Department of Child Services has actually increased over the recent years, not decreased.
Holcomb says that he shares the same commitment to children as outgoing agency director Mary Beth Bonaventura. She was appointed in 2013 to lead the agency by former Gov. Mike Pence, who is now vice president.
Bonaventura wrote in a scathing resignation letter dated Dec. 12 that “lives will be lost and families ruined” by service cuts mandated by Holcomb’s administration.
Holcomb said he was grateful to Bonaventura for her service to the state. He wished her good luck.
