Note to the Press – Please include the following statement from State Reps. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne), Dan Leonard (R-Huntington) and Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) in your coverage of the newly released two-year state budget plan, which includes historic increases to K-12 public education. In 2023, the new budget will provide $600 million in additional funding to public schools annually – fulfilling and exceeding the Next Level Teacher Pay Commission's recommendations for increasing teacher salaries. The budget also recommends schools set starting teacher salaries at $40,000 and requires schools to dedicate at least 45% of tuition support dollars to teacher pay. In total, the budget increases K-12 spending by $1.9 billion over the biennium. The plan includes substantial investments in expanding school choice and mental health services, and boosting Indiana's critical infrastructure. The updated spending plan reflects the April fiscal forecast that increases Indiana's revenue projections by $2.4 billion over the next 3 years.
STATEHOUSE (April 20, 2021) – "Education funding continues to be a top priority for Hoosiers, with Indiana investing half of its budget in K-12 education. The new two-year state budget increases Indiana's education spending to historic levels, with $1.9 billion in new funds being invested in Hoosier schools. Combined with federal stimulus dollars, the state's 293 school corporations should be on solid financial ground to invest in student learning and increased teacher salaries," said State Rep. Dave Heine, chair of the House Ways and Means Local Government Finance Subcommittee.
"This budget responsibly pays down state pension debt, especially to the pre-1998 teacher pensions, which will provide Indiana with more flexibility and opportunity to make investments in the future. The new budget plan also makes short- and long-term investments in Hoosier priorities, like education and infrastructure, which will continue moving Indiana in the right direction," said State Rep. Dan Leonard, member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
"A little more than a decade of conservative leadership allowed Indiana to manage through the pandemic and set us up to make historic investments in our state's future. This is no small feat, especially as other states are looking to cut budgets or take on debt. We also made it a priority to boost Indiana's reserves over the coming years to ensure we are prepared for any future downturns," said State Rep. Chris Judy, member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Visit IndianaHouseRepublicans.com for more information and to access the PowerPoint presentation summarizing the Conference Committee Report for House Bill 1001.
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Click here for a link to a summary of the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 1001, the state's two-year budget plan.
State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) represents House
District 85, which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 83,
which includes portions of Allen and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Dan Leonard (R-Huntington) represents House District 50, which
includes all of Huntington County and portions of Allen and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
