Indiana has plan to boost pre-K enrollment without increased state funding
On My Way Pre-K has also been slow to grow in the six years since its start, and enrollment plummeted during the pandemic by 40%. But the state is expecting increased demand.
State Budget
Articles
Indiana lawmakers approve state budget, finish session
Several Democratic legislators called it the best state spending plan in years. Republicans described the plan as focused on helping the state’s economy grow in the coming years and helping to give long-deserved raises to teachers.
Better-than-expected Indiana outlook brings calls for bigger education boost
Indiana educators on Thursday called for a bigger school funding boost to help improve the state’s lagging teacher pay, as new projections showed state tax collections are expected to bounce back stronger than expected from the pandemic recession.
John Thompson: Use federal windfall to develop Indiana strategy of innovation, entrepreneurship
We must enact a plan not just around how to build and encourage industry to adapt and change, but also to maximize Indiana’s ability to compete over the next decade.
Culinary arts, cosmetology programs in jeopardy in Indiana House budget
The funding would instead go to courses in areas that are typically higher paying, such as nursing, biomedical science and welding. But critics say eliminating popular programs would narrow students’ options.
House Republicans opt to invest in one-time grant programs in budget proposal
The $36.3 billion two-year budget proposed by the House GOP on Thursday would make a handful of one-time investments in small businesses, regional projects, student learning loss, health initiatives, broadband and police training.
UPDATE: Holcomb’s budget proposal calls for funding increases for K-12, higher ed
The $35.2 billion budget, which Office of Management Director Cris Johnston and Budget Director Zac Jackson presented to the State Budget Committee on Wednesday morning, also restores the state’s reserve balance to $2.3 billion each year.
State tax revenue outlook better than lawmakers expected, but cuts still possible
According to a revenue forecast presented to the State Budget Committee on Wednesday morning, tax receipts for the state’s general fund—essentially its main checking account—will total $34.95 billion for the next two-year budget, which will start in July.
COVID puts Legislature in fiscal vise in upcoming budget session
Leaders promise K-12 education will be the top priority, but they also acknowledge that every line item in the spending plan is at risk of cuts.
Indiana still has $1 billion in coronavirus relief funds left to spend
Indiana Office of Management and Budget Director Cris Johnston told the State Budget Committee on Tuesday that the state has been waiting for clearer guidance from the federal government on how the dollars can be spent.
State revenue collections show impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Indiana’s monthly revenue report, released Friday, shows that the state is still falling short of the funds that were expected when the forecast was made last December.
State revenue comes in $1.4B less than expected for fiscal year 2020
Lower than expected revenues created a budget deficit of nearly $900 million, but the state still managed to end the year in the black by cutting costs in some areas, tapping into reserves and receiving additional federal dollars for Medicaid.
Report: State, local relief still needed from feds to avert 4M layoffs
Wednesday’s report by Moody’s Analytics warns that doing nothing to address the economic perils of state cutbacks could cost millions of jobs. But it also says that significantly less federal aid is needed than what’s being called for by House Democrats.
State could see $3B-$4B revenue shortfall in two-year budget—about 10% of what it planned to spend
Tax revenues for fiscal year 2020 were already off by $1.2 billion by the end of May, an amount that is expected to grow to $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion before the fiscal year ends June 30.
State cuts higher education funding by $103M to help deal with worsening budget
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration continues to make budget cuts as the state prepares for revenue collections possibly being $2 billion lower than expected by the end of the fiscal year.
State to cut spending 15%, sideline several projects to deal with budget shortfalls
Gov. Eric Holcomb said the budget agency is estimating that Indiana could take in $3 billion less than expected during the last two months of fiscal year 2020—which ends June 30—and fiscal year 2021.
State allocates $300M to local governments for coronavirus aid
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Friday during his press briefing that cities, towns and counties will be eligible for a certain portion of the $300 million based on population.
UPDATE: March tax revenue for Indiana misses projections by 6%
State officials said Friday that they expect to receive $2.4 billion in federal rescue funds that will help make up for budget shortfalls.
Indiana could receive more than $2.6B from federal stimulus package for state, local spending
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on March 27, provided $2 trillion in economic aid for business, hospitals and governments struggling with the impact of the pandemic.
State dips into reserves for coronavirus spending as pandemic cuts into revenue
Cris Johnston, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said agencies have been told to look for places where they can eliminate spending. But he said there are no plans to cut funding for schools, even though it’s the state’s largest expenditure.