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.
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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.
Indiana House passes $291M surplus spending bill
The vote came Monday after several failed attempts by House Democrats to amend the legislation and use the money for teacher pay bonuses and other “human capital” proposals, such as pre-kindergarten education and school safety.
GOP lawmakers differ slightly from governor on 2020 priorities (including on swine barn funding)
Like Gov. Eric Holcomb, Indiana Senate and House Republicans are focused on health care, education and spending one-time dollars on capital projects this year. But lawmakers have slightly different views on how those surplus dollars should be spent.
State expecting to bring in more revenue than previously estimated
The state is expecting an additional $531 million in revenue over the next biennium, according to a forecast released Friday. The additional dollars would bring reserves up to $2.4 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2021.
Holcomb proposes extra spending after state sees record high reserves
Indiana ended the fiscal year with record-high reserves, it reported Thursday, prompting Gov. Eric Holcomb to propose spending nearly $300 million on five one-time projects.
Hogsett proposes ambitious, 9-county plan to fund infrastructure improvements
The mayor’s office says the strategy is a way to meet the city’s growing infrastructure needs—which amount to $160 million per year—without raising taxes. But the proposal would create winners and losers among area counties, even as it addresses what’s considered a regional problem.
Some Indiana educators disappointed about mental health funding
Jennifer McCormick, the state superintendent of public instruction and a Republican, said financial backing for mental health services didn't receive the attention it warranted.
Indiana schools chief worries safety-grants increase won’t be enough
Superintendent Jennifer McCormick said Monday the $19 million annual funding included in the new two-year budget will help, but cast doubts on whether it was adequate to cover costs for safety equipment, school police officers and threat assessment.
Despite kudos, state doesn’t keep funding Regional Cities
State and local leaders seem to agree that Indiana’s Regional Cities Initiative was successful—but don’t expect to see another round of funding for the program anytime soon, if ever.
What lawmakers did—and didn’t do—in the 2019 session
The 2019 legislative session ended April 24—five days ahead of the statutory deadline—with hundreds of bills sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his consideration.
Governor says he could boost Indiana child agency funding again
Indiana's governor signed a new two-year budget Monday and pledged to work to restore some of the money lawmakers trimmed from his proposal to boost funding for the state's child welfare agency if the amount ends up being insufficient.
Indiana budget includes $73M for new Purdue animal hospital
Purdue President Mitch Daniels had urged state lawmakers to approve funding for the new hospital, saying it's vital to Purdue's veterinary college and the state.
Republicans happy with session results; Democrats say lawmakers missed opportunities
The Indiana General Assembly ended the 2019 legislative session Wednesday night after passing a $34.6 billion two-year budget with an emphasis on K-12 school funding.
State lawmakers hike school funding only slightly in final budget plan
Republican leaders on Tuesday afternoon released the final version of the two-year Indiana budget, which includes $539 million in additional base funding for K-12 education, and described it as a historic amount of funding for education.
Tech industry pushes lawmakers to fully fund program that boosts startups, R&D
The Senate version of the two-year, $34.6 billion budget allocates $22 million per year for the state’s 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. That’s $8 million less per year than in the current budget.
Amtrak supporters appeal for funding for Hoosier State line
Supporters of Amtrak’s Indianapolis-to-Chicago service, including Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, rallied at the Statehouse on Wednesday to make a last-ditch appeal for the funding.
Indiana budget increases could be pinched by slower tax growth
Indiana schools aren't being promised much additional money after the latest projections showing slower growth in state tax collections.