Local representative visits area as part of multi-county Congressional District tour

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) read to preschool children during a stop at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA on Friday. (WRBI Photo)

(Batesville/Metamora, IN) – Congresswoman Erin Houchin visited the area on Friday as part of her 18-county tour of the Ninth Congressional District.

Houchin told WRBI News constituents have commented about a variety of topics during her tour, including access to health care for veterans.

“The nearest VA (Veterans Administration) hospitals are in Indianapolis and Louisville for most veterans and citizens in the Ninth District, so we want to look to see if we can’t build a facility closer to home for many of our veterans and increase access,” she said.

Houchin added addressing workforce shortages has also been a key issue on the minds of residents.

“I’m on the Education and Workforce Committee and we have been focused on that and our Work One reauthorization and just trying to get the 40% of able-bodied adults who can work and are not working currently, re-engaged in employment and that is something I going to be continuing to work on,” Houchin said.

Houchin visited Baxter, Batesville Tool and Die, the Southeastern Indiana YMCA, the Batesville Community School Corporation, as well as the Whitewater Canal District in Metamora.