STATEHOUSE - Republican principles and protecting Hoosiers were at the core of the state budget, which passed the House today by a vote of 62-37. This budget passed in the Senate as well by a vote of 34-16.
The House of Representatives approved the budget conference committee report on a two-year $27.9 billion budget.
"I am pleased the House passed the budget," said Rep. Bill Friend (R-Macy). "This budget is the product of a long bipartisan effort.
"This is the right budget for Indiana during this slow economic time. Everyone has compromised and sacrificed something to construct this budget to protect Hoosier taxpayers. These times are the hardest economic times the state has faced since the Great Depression.
"This budget does not set the state up for a tax increase and it funds education with more money and maintains a healthy necessary level of reserves. I am confident voting for the bill."
The budget includes Gov. Mitch Daniels' parameters for a budget he would approve:
nIt contains no tax increases.
nIt maintains at least $1 billion in state reserves.
nIt includes cuts for each dollar spent above the governor's recommended amount.
nIt uses one-time federal stimulus money for one-time purposes, including statewide infrastructure projects, university construction projects, some university operating expenses and the final installment of state-funded homestead tax grants. Title I and special education stimulus money will be used for one-time investments to improve facilities, technology and equipment; this would not increase base operating expenses.
nIt does not raid pension funds, trust funds or use other dedicated money for operating purposes.
The new state budget also protects education and advances education reform efforts:
nIt supports K-12 education with an average increase of 1.1 percent in calendar year 2010 and 0.3 percent in calendar year 2011.
nIt fully funds enrollment growth at rapidly-growing schools.
nIt includes an Educational Scholarship Tax Credit, providing hope for low-income students and families to attend the school of their choice.
nIt allows charter school growth by removing Democrat-backed caps, which is critical if Indiana is to be eligible for federal competitive grants under the "Race to the Top" program.
nIt also allows the state Department of Education to create a program for federal matching grants for charter schools and grants charter schools access to state technology funds.
nIt includes enhanced support for Ivy Tech Community College, improving the state's community college network as well as training opportunities for unemployed workers.
"I believe Rep. Jeff Espich said it best: 'Our jobs have been very hard because Hoosier times and lives are hard right now,'" Rep. Friend said. "I don't think anyone is completely happy with the budget. Perhaps that's what makes it the best solution."
The state fiscal year ended today. If a budget was not passed today, most state agencies would have shutdown and state employees would have been furloughed. |
