The 2023 legislative session will soon begin, and I'm eager to get to work for the Hoosiers of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties. This session, I received two new committee assignments and I look forward to joining fellow lawmakers to tackle issues important to Hoosiers.
This session, I'll serve as vice chair of the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee. It's important for state and local officials to work together to streamline government services and cut red tape to best serve Hoosier taxpayers. I look forward to finding ways to make government processes leaner and more efficient.
I have also been appointed to the new Financial Institutions Committee. My colleagues and I will work to vet bills affecting Indiana's banks and credit unions, which are critical to everyday Hoosiers and businesses alike.
I will once again serve on the House Ways and Means Committee as the General Assembly works to craft an honestly balanced budget. Indiana remains in great fiscal health thanks to years of conservative policies, and we remain well-positioned to come through any future financial downturns. This session, we expect to once again make strong investments in K-12 education, which makes up over half of Indiana's $37 billion, two-year state budget. I also look forward to building on Indiana's record-breaking economic growth through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. Through READI grants, local communities have been greatly successful in attracting talent and expanding businesses throughout Southwest Indiana.
Last year, I co-authored the largest tax-cut package in Indiana history, which will lower the individual income tax to 2.9% over time and once it's fully phased in, we will have one of the lowest income tax rates in the nation. We also eliminated the Utility Receipts Tax, which will save ratepayers over $200 million a year. Indiana also responsibly used surplus dollars to return more than $1.4 billion directly to Hoosiers through the state's automatic taxpayer refund. I look forward to exploring more ways we can put additional dollars back into Hoosiers' pockets this session.
If you're a resident of House District 78, please reach out to me on issues important to you and your family by emailing me at h78@iga.in.gov or calling 317-232-9815. You can also go online and complete my 2023 constituent survey at in.gov/h78 and click on the red "Take My Survey" button. It's an honor to represent friends and neighbors in Vanderburgh and Warrick counties, and I look forward to continuing to work on your behalf.
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State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) represents House District 78,
which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
