"Jobs have been my top priority throughout this session, and today, we saved Hoosier jobs," Rep. Davis said. "We couldn't have done anything more important than making sure this tax increase on Hoosier employers was delayed. This victory ensures the business environment in our state is not severely damaged by one of the biggest tax increases in state history on employers." During the 2009 legislative session, House Democrats passed legislation to increase unemployment premiums on employers ranging from $9-748 per employee. This legislation passed without one House Republican vote. The delay on unemployment insurance tax premiums will save businesses $640 million over the next two years. Several poison pills were added to the bill last week. These poison pills divided the House and nearly kept legislators from reaching an agreement. "It would have been a shame if politics would have interfered with Hoosier jobs, but we worked across the aisle to make sure that wouldn't have happened," Rep. Davis said. Legislators were also able to pass a measure to give schools the funding flexibility they need to shore up negative funds. For over a year state revenues have fallen below the forecasts thus prompting a $300 million reduction in school funding. In an effort to keep teachers in the classroom, we offered legislation to give schools the ability to reallocate money to fill holes in depleted funds. "From day one we made education a top priority and tonight schools received the funding flexibility they need," Rep. Davis said. "Schools have been battling mandatory cuts and we wanted to ensure that they have every opportunity to shore up any negative funds. Our children deserve the best education they can get and tonight was a victory for them." Earlier this year, the House of Representatives also passed one bill allowing the Illiana Expressway to be built without legislative approval. 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. The act of 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. |
