Rep. Neese: Focus on Budget A Must for Special Session (STATEHOUSE) - Rep. Tim Neese (R-Elkhart) announced today his support for a very specific purpose for the upcoming legislative special session - a focus on passing the state's biennial budget and that alone. "In order to best protect taxpayers, it's clear our sole intent must be to pass a successful budget, that is responsible and protects our state's reserve funds," said Rep. Neese. "It is my concern that the special session might be a target for special interest and projects that could easily distract the General Assembly from reaching our only constitutionally-obligated duty - passing a budget. "The legislature needs to get down to business and our business is passing a good budget. "I believe the position is correct in keeping the focus on the budget process," said Rep. Neese. "It is a very important issue that will certainly take time. We should use all the available time we have to prepare a budget that helps Hoosiers by creating jobs and protecting from future tax increases, as well as responsibly funding education, while maintaining a healthy state reserve." Budget priorities include: PROTECTING TAXPAYERS through across-the-board spending cuts, except for K-12 education and public safety. This ensures the state will live within its means while protecting against future tax increases. CREATING JOBS by an investment of $450 million in capital projects at state universities in addition to $1 billion in road and bridge projects, paving the way for investment and expansion in Hoosier hometowns across our state. PROTECTING EDUCATION. Schools should see an average increase of 2 percent over the biennium, and all school corporations will get more money per child than they receive today. In addition, should state revenues exceed the amounts forecasted, an "education trigger" would automatically invest $1 for every $2 of excess revenues received. MAINTAINING HEALTHY RESERVES. We should preserve at least $1 billion of the state's emergency funds to help keep Indiana fiscally strong during these difficult economic times. -30-
Rep. Neese is the ranking Republican member of the Local Government Committee and sits on the Environmental Affairs Committee and Government and Regulatory Reform Committee. He can be reached at h48@IN.gov, or by phone at 1-800-382-9841. |
