STATEHOUSE – The state budget is heading to the House floor after being approved by the House Ways and Means committee on Tuesday. The committee released Indiana’s 2014-2015 biennial budget last Friday. Some of the goals of the introduced budget were to protect Hoosier taxpayers, prioritize education funding, and build and maintain infrastructure.
“As a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, I felt strongly about the budget being balanced while remaining committed to fiscal prudence,” said Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers). “To me, the investment in education and ensuring an infrastructure system that meets our states economic needs were two of the highest ranking goals to our budget. An investment made in these two areas is an investment in the future of our state.”
Investing in education was the first priority in the budget in regards to both K-12 and higher education. The total school operating funding will increase 3.3 percent or $344 million dollars. In 2010, due to diminished state income, K-12 education went through tremendous cuts. The House Republican budget also fully funds the towards full day kindergarten grant program.
Programs such as dropout prevention and assistance for in-demand teachers will also receive additional funding. The Department of Child Services will also receive $40 million in funding. The budget aims to reward educational institutions for positive results, granting an additional $16.7 million in 2015 to be distributed based on performance.
“The future of our state and the best interests of Hoosier children is constantly at the forefront of my mind and will continue to be as we progress with the 2013 legislative session. I believe with this balanced budget Indiana will continue to move forward and the General Assembly will move forward with opportunities and not deficits,” said Rep. Huston.
Higher education institutions will also see increased funding over the biennium. The budget adopts the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHE) recommended funding levels and performance funding formula, resulting in a funding increase of $42.2 million over the biennium. It grants $5 million per year from the 21 Fund to support promising university research projects.
“I am proud to say that by paying for nine new university capital projects with cash, we are limiting our long-term debt. The $197 million investment in higher education capital expenses, without adding a penny of debt, will save taxpayers millions of dollars in interest over the next several decades,” said Rep. Huston.
-30-
Rep. Huston(R-Fishers) represents portions of Hamilton County.
