Indiana House Republicans suggest slashing $105M from aid for low-income students
For Indianapolis Public Schools, the proposed cuts could mean $7 million less to meet the needs of its students from low-income families between now and 2021.
State Budget
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Here’s where six General Assembly issues stand at halfway mark
The first half of the legislative session was generally quiet (save an emotional debate about a hate-crimes bill) but that might just be the calm before the storm.
Indiana House passes $34.6B budget along party lines
The proposed budget includes an additional $286 million per year requested by the Indiana Department of Child Services and increases K-12 spending slightly more than suggested by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
House committee advances Republicans’ $34.6B budget bill
The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee fended off amendments and objections from Democrats on Tuesday and ushered the bill to the full House for consideration.
House Republicans focus on child services, education in two-year, $34.6B budget
The spending plan includes the additional $286 million per year requested by the Indiana Department of Child Services, covers increases in Medicaid costs, and hikes K-12 spending by 2.1 percent in 2020 and 2.2 percent in 2021, which is slightly higher than the 2 percent annual increase suggested by Holcomb.
Hoosier State train route could derail without state cash
Supporters are fighting for continued public funding of the Indianapolis-to-Chicago rail service—even as they acknowledge the route’s travel times and ridership levels need improvement.
House passes bill to exempt military pensions from state income tax
One of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s top priorities for the legislative session passed the Indiana House on Tuesday afternoon with nearly unanimous support.
Gov. Holcomb announces plan to pay off pension liability, free up money for teacher raises
On Tuesday night, Holcomb said in his State of the State speech that the state will use $150 million from its surplus to pay off a teacher pension liability that schools have been gradually paying down.
Indiana Republicans suggest schools cut costs to raise teacher pay
The goal for school districts would be to use 85 percent or more of their state funding for instruction-related costs, such as teacher salaries.
Indiana General Assembly faces tight budget as new session begins
Members of the General Assembly return Thursday to the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis for a session expected to last until late April. Budget issues are expected to dominate the session.
Gov. Holcomb wants to keep Pacers in Indy, will consider plans to improve CIB facilities
The Capital Improvement Board of Managers will ask lawmakers for more long-term funding that could be used in part for improvements at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The governor says he’s ready to listen.
State tax revenue projected to grow, but new money will barely cover increased costs
State fiscal leaders heard some good and bad news about the state budget Monday morning in a highly anticipated revenue forecast that predicted tax receipts for the next two years.
Indiana GOP leaders say money tight for next budget
Republican Statehouse leaders say they want to increase funding for Indiana's embattled child welfare agency and find a way to pay teachers more, but that money will be tight when they craft the state's next two-year budget.
State incentives help keep FFA convention in Indianapolis through 2031
Under an agreement with the state, FFA will receive $500,000 annually over the seven-year extension, which will help pay for convention-related expenses.
Department of Child Services budget could grow significantly next year
The proposed budget from the troubled Indiana Department of Child Services would include $965 million from the state’s general fund per year for the next two fiscal years.
Indiana superintendent seeks 3 percent increase in education funding
Lawmakers have expressed support for increasing teacher pay in the next two-year budget, but the size of Jennifer McCormick’s request could be much more than what’s available.
Holcomb says he won’t pursue plan to toll interstate highways
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his decision Thursday afternoon after the Indiana Department of Transportation released a strategic plan for interstate tolling that was mandated by a transportation infrastructure funding law passed in 2017.
Indiana Chamber’s legislative priorities include issues that recently failed
The statewide business group announced its lobbying agenda Monday—and it includes support for passing a hate-crimes bill and increasing the cigarette tax. Another priority involves the state’s superintendent of public instruction.
Constitutional amendment for balanced budgets on state ballot
The amendment would prohibit the Indiana General Assembly from adopting a budget that spends more than the state earns in revenue.
Report: Indiana tax policy has benefited wealthy as median income dropped
The Indiana Institute for Working Families’ report also found that the average Indiana worker, who makes $35,422 annually in wages, makes nearly $2,100 less than the average Midwesterner.