STATEHOUSE (July 11, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"Indiana has a strong reputation for not spending more than we take in while still funding essential services, and because of that we're in a position to provide tax relief this session," Manning said. "I also authored legislation to ensure our state's pension investments remain focused on financial returns – not political and ideological considerations."
Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1.
Under that state's newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
Manning also highlighted the following new laws:
Providing Tax Relief for Homeowners
Property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took actions to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
Keeping Politics Out of Pensions
Indiana's public pension system and money managers will keep their focus exclusively on maximizing investment returns and not favor subjective environmental, social and governance factors. Manning, author of the new law, said ESG investing can harm the Hoosier economy by discriminating against critical industries for political or ideological reasons.
Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Nations like China, Iran, North Korea and Russia pose a serious risk to the security of the state and nation. To protect Hoosiers, Manning, sponsor of the new law, said citizens of prohibited countries will be banned from buying land near military installations. State and local governments will also be prohibited from buying certain equipment and services, and entering into a contract for critical infrastructure projects with entities deemed a national security threat.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass and Miami counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
