STATEHOUSE (July 6, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"As liberal policies at the national level continue to fail Americans, Indiana remains focused on supporting Hoosiers and Hoosier priorities, like keeping taxes low, and empowering students and families," Prescott said. "Our state budget is balanced with no gimmicks, saves for a rainy day and makes investments that will deliver results for years to come."
Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1.
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. Through a substantial expansion of school choice, nearly all Hoosier families will be able to send their child to the school that best meets their needs. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
Prescott 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
A new law co-authored by Prescott ensures Indiana's public pension system will keep its focus exclusively on maximizing returns, and not favor environmental, social and governance factors commonly referred to as ESG. Unfortunately, ESG investing can exclude American and Hoosier industries like fossil fuels and firearms, and could hurt workers.
Maintaining Election Security
To ensure the absentee vote-by-mail process is as secure as voting in person, when submitting an absentee ballot application, voters will need to include a form of ID, like the last four digits of their Social Security number and either a driver's license number, state ID number or voter registration number. Voters can also submit a photocopy of their driver's license or an ID card for non-drivers.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties, and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
