| Start Date: | 6/2/2009 | All Day | | | End Date: | 6/2/2009 | | |
STATEHOUSE - State Representative Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) endorsed Gov. Mitch Daniels' budget proposal, saying it protects taxpayers, supports public education and public safety, and maintains a healthy state reserve balance. "This is a good foundation for legislators to build a budget upon," said Rep. Crouch. "The state is in a tough situation but the governor's proposed budget would protect Hoosiers' pocketbooks. It is better to cut spending now than to pay more taxes years down the road. I am pleased the state would maintain a healthy reserve bank account while protecting education." Rep. Crouch supports the principles contained in the budget proposal, which include: 1. PROTECTING TAXPAYERS through across-the-board spending cuts, except for K-12 education, student financial aid and public safety. This ensures the state will live within its means while protecting against future tax increases. 2. 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. 3. PROTECTING EDUCATION. Most schools will 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, the state would automatically invest $1 for every $2 of excess revenues received. 4. MAINTAINING HEALTHY RESERVES. The plan also calls for preserving $1 billion of the state's emergency funds to help keep Indiana fiscally strong during these difficult economic times. Here is what Gov. Daniels' proposal avoids: 35 states are cutting education. 40 states are raising taxes. 31 states are doing both. Under this budget proposal, Indiana is doing neither. "During these tough economic times, this is a prudent budget," said Rep. Crouch.
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