NOTE FOR MEDIA: Click here for a link to a Power Point presentation, which provides a summary of the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 1001, the state's two-year budget plan. The presentation is also available at IndianaHouseRepublicans.com. Republican leaders expect to release the Conference Committee Report for House Bill 1001 online at about 5 p.m. today along with the updated school runs. These documents will also be made available on the homepages of the Senate and House Republican websites.
Note to the press: Please include the following statement from Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) in your coverage of the updated two-year state budget plan, which he says includes historic increases to K-12 public education, expands school choice, responsibly cuts taxes, prioritizes public health and mental health initiatives, and builds on the state's economic momentum:
STATEHOUSE (April 26, 2023) – "Heading into this session, House Republicans made it clear that we wanted a budget that prioritizes Hoosier taxpayers and families, and this budget delivers on that promise.
"I'm excited to see Indiana once again stand behind our Hoosier families who want the ability to choose the best school that meets their child's needs regardless of their zip code. We're now on our way to having the best school choice program in the country.
"Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.5 billion budget and this proposal continues our record investments by including an additional $2 billion over the next two years. We're increasing school tuition support by 8 percent over 2023 funding levels. Our budget also keeps our commitment to eliminate textbook and curricular fees for parents.
"To support work-based learning in high schools, we're directing funding for Career Technical Education and Career Scholarship Accounts. This funding is critical to helping students skill up so they can hit the ground running no matter what path they choose upon graduation.
"If this proposal is signed into law, taxpayers stand to save more than $430 million over the next two years. We're accelerating the scheduled income tax reductions, which could give Indiana one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. The budget plan also provides much-needed tax relief for new parents, low-income families and active-duty military members.
"Our budget also makes record investments in health, including $100 million over the next two years for community mental health initiatives, and $225 million to support a public and private partnership approach to local public health services.
"Economic development in our state has been on fire, and we're going to continue that momentum through smart, strategic investments. Whether it's launching READI 2.0 or investing in projects around the state, I'm excited about Indiana's economic future, and the jobs and talent we're going to continue to attract."
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House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) represents House District 37,
which includes portions of Hamilton County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
