Rep. Friend Claims Victory for 2010 Legislative Session STATEHOUSE - State Representative Bill Friend (R-Macy) claimed victory for the 2010 Legislative Session. Rep. Friend assisted passing four bills, with his votes to which will do what is best for his local communities as well as all of Indiana. Rep. Friend was able to stop the general assembly from having any new tax increases, living within our means and protecting Hoosiers' pockets. House Bill 1367 Rep. Friend voted for House Bill 1367 to allow school funding flexibility. HB 1367 passed the House by a vote of 97-0. Also, HB 1367 passed the Senate by a vote of 50-0. HB 1367 would permit schools to transfer money from specific funds into the school corporation's general fund. Schools can transfer up to 5 percent from miscellaneous funds into the school corporations' general fund. A school can transfer up to 10 percent from the below funds into the school corporations' general fund if teachers do not receive a general wage or salary increase in the 2010-2011. "Indiana spends over 50 percent of its taxes on public education," said Rep. Friend. "Originally, we planned to not cut school funding. The state already cut funding 10 percent for every state agency. However, state revenues have fallen so much, schools are no longer able to remain immune to the poor economy. It is my intention that this bill would allow school corporations to become more efficient and continue to provide a quality education without teacher layoffs and other staff reductions." Senate Bill 23 Rep. Friend voted for Senate Bill 23 to support a tax delay on employers in efforts to keep Hoosiers employed. Thankfully, SB 23 passed the House by a vote of 85-12. Also, SB 23 passed the Senate by a vote of 50-0. The delay implemented by SB 23 on unemployment insurance tax premiums will save businesses millions of dollars over the next year. "We worked hard this session to protect Hoosier employers and small businesses," said Rep. Friend. "We wanted to ensure that a tax increase was not imposed on employers while Hoosiers are trying to recover from a recession. I am pleased that this bill passed with the delay so that the economy has a chance to recover first. It retains jobs for employees and it is a victory for small businesses and employers." Senate Bill 382 Earlier this year, Rep. Friend voted for SB 382 one bill allowing the Illiana Expressway to be built without legislative approval. House Joint Resolution 1 House Joint Resolution 1, one of the most important accomplishments of the session, was passed early on. It would graft property tax caps into the state constitution after being approved by voters on the November ballot. Rep. Friend's vote is giving homeowners, farmers and business owners the chance to cap their own taxes was the most sweeping tax reform Indiana has seen in several decades. The vast majority of Hoosiers want the opportunity to vote on this critical issue. |
