STATEHOUSE (July 6, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Reps. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"Most of the legislation we passed is the direct result of input from our constituents who reached out to legislators for solutions," VanNatter said. "From additional tax relief to boosting school safety across the state, these new laws will go a long way to help support our communities."
Under the 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 and VanNatter also highlighted the following new laws passed during the recent session which took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1:
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.
"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."
Increasing School Safety
VanNatter said Indiana's successful school safety program that has helped to increase security at over 400 schools across the state will be significantly expanded. More schools will receive help covering the costs of much-needed technology upgrades to have better coordination with local government and law enforcement.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
-30-
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.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and
portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
