STATEHOUSE (March 6, 2017) – The U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Indiana No. 1 on its list of “Best States,” according to State Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers).
The ranking was based on several categories including fiscal stability, budget transparency, government digitalization and state integrity.
“As a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I have worked hard on ensuring Indiana doesn’t spend more than we take in,” Huston said. “Our dedication to maintaining the state’s healthy reserves while funding important services like education and public safety has resulted in an economic boom and this national recognition.”
Indiana was ranked first in the nation for budget transparency overall. Huston said Indiana has honestly balanced its budget since 2005, remained fiscally responsible and maintained healthy reserves since House Republicans took over the majority in 2004.
Creating an honestly balanced budget has afforded Indiana fully funded pension liabilities and a AAA credit rating. Huston said Indiana has reduced the number of state employees by 20 percent over 10 years, reduced state-funded debt by 68 percent since 2005 and cut state agency budgets by almost 30 percent since 2009. Legislators have also eliminated more than 70 government boards and commissions and 600 government appointments while maintaining prudent reserves of at least 10 percent of current-year revenues in the past three biennial budgets. Indiana has also continued to fund its priorities, which include education and public safety. Huston said the last three biennial budgets have included the largest investments ever in K-12 education.
House Republicans have maintained a commitment to transparency and digitization in government by live broadcasting each House session online since 2005, and House committee meetings since 2007. In 2011, House Republican members authored legislation to increase budgetary transparency within state and local government. The resulting law required the state auditor to create the Indiana Transparency Portal, www.in.gov/itp, bringing better visibility, openness and accountability to state government. The portal contains information including agency budgets, state contracts, agency performance measures and local government expenditures. Huston said it gives Indiana taxpayers a detailed look at the state’s finances, from top to bottom.
“Transparency is vital, especially when dealing with taxpayer money,” Huston said. “I look forward to keeping Indiana on the path toward giving the people of Indiana an all access viewpoint to how the funds are utilized in state government.”
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State Rep. Todd Huston (R-Fishers) represents House District 37,
which includes portions of Hamilton County.
A high-resolution photo of Huston can be downloaded by clicking here.
