STATEHOUSE (Feb. 8, 2022) – In the first half of the 2022 legislative session, Delaware County lawmakers 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, State Reps. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), Tony Cook (R-Cicero), Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) and Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) 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 state government and the services it provides are well-funded and reserves are swelling because of the resiliency of hard-working Hoosiers throughout the pandemic," Prescott said. "Now is not the time to use our excess reserves to grow government. The responsible thing to do is to put dollars back in Hoosiers' pockets, and this tax-relief package will do just that."
Prescott 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, local lawmakers 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.
"Throughout the last two years, the country has realized just how much we rely on our nurses," Cook said. "In Indiana, we want to give nursing students more pathways to fulfill the necessary requirements to receive their license. This will help us boost the number of health care workers, which our state needs now and into the future."
Cook 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 reduce jail overcrowding, area lawmakers supported House Bill 1004 to allow judges to send Level 6 felony offenders to the Indiana Department of Correction instead of county jails. The state often offers greater access to mental health and addiction treatment services.
"There are several benefits to sending these low-level offenders to IDOC facilities," Rowray said. "Not only would this help reduce local jail overcrowding, but it would connect them with crucial mental health and drug addiction rehabilitation options they otherwise may not have access to in a rural jail."
Rowray, co-author of the legislation, said a recent report shows nearly 75% of all felony criminal filings in Indiana are Level 6 felonies, with many of those substance-related, like drug possession or operating while intoxicated.
"Jail overcrowding has become a real problem in many parts of Indiana," Vermilion said. "This bill would benefit both local jails and low-level offenders, providing them with more treatment and rehabilitation opportunities."
Vermilion 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. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of
Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.
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State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33, which
includes Jay and Randolph counties, and a portion of Delaware County.
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State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) represents House District 35,
which includes portions of Delaware and Madison counties.
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State Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) represents House District 31, which includes
all of Blackford County and portions of Delaware, Grant and Wells counties.
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