State Rep. Matt Lori holds "Go to Bat Award" presented to him by Larry Clark, chairman of the Three Rivers Health Authority Board, in recognition of his service on the board.

The Three Rivers Health Authority Board said “thank you” to state Rep. Matt Lori during the group’s October meeting Thursday morning (October 29th).

Board Chairman Larry Clark presented a “Go to Bat Award” – a baseball bat with an engraved plate – to Lori to express appreciation for his service from 2000 to 2009, including a stint as board chairman.

Regarding his time on the board, Lori said, “It has prepared me – somewhat – for my current position.”  He explained that he serves on the House Appropriations Committee and works with the budgets for Agriculture, the General Fund, and Community Health.  And he said Community Health is “huge,” accounting for “about a third of the discretionary spending the state has.”

In his new role as a legislator after 20 years as St. Joseph County sheriff, Lori said, “I’m just having a wonderful time, other than the last couple of months.”  Noting the challenges involving  the state budget, he said, “The last couple of months have been extremely tough, trying to make the choices.”

Lori indicated there’s no support for tax increases from Republicans or Democrats and said, “The sentiment of the general public throughout the state, in my view, is that they don’t want any more taxes.  The economy is tough.  Cuts are tough.  For the most part, the people I run into don’t like it, but they understand.  Superintendents are understanding.  They don’t like the cuts, but they know times are tough.  The only thing they would like is a more timely budget.”

Regarding health care and Three Rivers Health, Lori said, “I think there is a place for small, rural hospitals.  You have a good hospital.”