The Indiana House District 15 races pit Democratic challenger John (Jack) Walter against incumbent Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville.
Slager, 65, who has served 12 non-consecutive years in office, is seeking a sixth term representing a district that includes the towns of Dyer, St. John and Schererville. Walter, 72, of Schererville, has not held public office, but previously ran for St. John Township Advisory Board.
During his time in office, Slager has focused strongly on healthcare issues as it relates to Medicare and Medicaid management.
“The pediatric care of Medicaid reimbursements to out-of-state hospitals took me seven years but has had such an impact,” Slager said.
He explained ongoing challenges that the next legislature must address.
“Right now, we find ourselves swimming upstream against the federal government and its policies as it relates to Medicaid,” he said. “In particular, we’ve got significant cost issues that we need to work through the Medicaid Oversight Committee as well as Ways and Means. These cost issues and the inability to limit how we can rein in those costs is a major concern that’s going to take some significant work.”
Walter, who has had a career as an attorney and bailiff, said that if elected he would focus on eliminating the state income tax, as it is causing workforce talent to leave the state. He indicated being open to eliminating the tax for people over the age of 65 or making it a progressive tax based on earnings.
Slager countered that Indiana residents have low taxes compared to other states when you consider its property tax caps.
Walter would also focus on environmental issues, saying he was concerned with the state’s lack of regulations involving fertilizer and pesticide runoff caused by industrial farming.
Walter emphasized his anti-abortion stance, but expressed his desire to revisit the state’s abortion law to restore reproductive freedoms. Questioning the state’s administration of Medicare and Medicaid issues, he believes the programs are heavily in debt and that approximately $700 million may have been spent improperly.
Taking issue with Slager’s representation of District 15, Walter said, “I think he’s a good man. I really do. But he (Slager) represents his party, not his district, and his party are the people who are pleased with the way many things are going. I’m not pleased with the way Indiana is going.”
Walter denounced the state legislature’s Republican supermajority and said he would work break its hold over the Statehouse.
Noting other accomplishments, Slager said he sponsored legislation to expand the South Shore railroad and enable double tracking along the line. He is also using his influence to pass a bill that hopes to bring a convention center to Lake County.
Slager emphasized that he’s a strong and effective representative for District 15.
“I have managed to convince legislators from all over the state that Northwest Indiana is a good investment,” he said. “I have built that political capital and have a very good working relationship with all the legislators and elected officials in Northwest Indiana on a bipartisan basis.”
Walter describes himself “as a servant” and someone out to improve the world — having been called to public service through his work in the Lutheran Church ministry.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
