STATEHOUSE (Feb . 8, 2022) – In the first half of the 2022 legislative session, State Reps. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) and Mike Speedy (R-Indianapolis) voted to advance several key priorities, including a sweeping tax-cut package to help hardworking Hoosiers and businesses.
Now in the hands of the Indiana Senate, Behning and Speedy supported what would be the largest tax cut in state history, putting over $1.3 billion back in Hoosiers' pockets. The state's budget reserves are expected to hit a record $5 billion at the end of fiscal year 2022, which is $3 billion more than expected.
"Our focus on living within our means while paying down debt has helped put Indiana in a position to return money to taxpayers," Behning said. "Hoosiers have told us over and over they want to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, not make government bigger. This legislation would do just that."
Behning said House Bill 1002, which he co-authored, would deliver direct relief to working Hoosiers by reducing the individual income tax from 3.23 to 3%. To encourage new investments, this legislation would also lower the business personal property tax while ensuring homeowners and schools aren't negatively impacted. In addition, the bill would lower Hoosiers' utility bills by repealing the 1.4% Utility Receipts Tax.
To alleviate the state's ongoing nursing shortage, Speedy supported House Bill 1003 to boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to those seeking licensure. By 2031, Indiana will need 5,000 additional nurses and nursing programs will need to increase their graduating classes by 1,350 each year to meet this need. This is in addition to the current 4,300 nursing job openings statewide.
"Our health-care system depends on nurses helping those in need," Speedy said. "Unfortunately, there is a global nursing shortage affecting Indiana. This legislation would help solve that problem in part by giving flexibility to nursing programs and nurse educators on the forefront of preparing Hoosiers to work in this important industry."
Speedy said this legislation would also give flexibility to nursing programs and nurse educators, and support nursing students working to obtain the required hours to be licensed.
To protect public comment at school board meetings, Behning and Speedy supported House Bill 1130, which requires school boards to allow time for public comment from those physically present at a meeting. School boards could set a time limit of three minutes or more and take reasonable steps to maintain order in meetings, like removing a disruptive person.
Behning said there's a lot of work left to do in the second half of session as the Indiana House of Representatives will consider Senate bills and the Senate will consider House bills. Watch session and committees, and view legislation at iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 91,
which includes portions of Hendricks and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Mike Speedy (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 90,
which includes portions of Marion County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
