St. Joseph County lawmakers: Legislative session ends with passage of balanced state budget, tax relief and other key priorities for Hoosiers

STATEHOUSE (May 12, 2025) – The 2025 legislative session ended with passage of the state's next two-year budget as well as tax relief and other key priorities for Hoosiers, according to St. Joseph County lawmakers.

"The state continues to be in good fiscal shape as lawmakers passed another balanced budget this legislative session," said State Rep. Dale DeVon (R-Granger). "House Republicans also made strategic investments in our most critical priorities while strengthening protections for Hoosier children."

The budget accounts for lowering Indiana's state income tax each of the next two years, which will save taxpayers over $200 million per year. The legislature also advanced major property tax relief and reform legislation this session. Together, these two tax cuts will save Hoosiers $1.3 billion in taxes over the next two years. Key investments were also made in K-12 education and public safety, including expanding Indiana's school choice scholarship program to all Hoosier families beginning next year.

"This was a productive legislative session that concluded with more government transparency and lower taxes for Hoosiers," said State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty). "We also made significant gains to improve education, including reducing burdensome regulations on K-12 schools, advancing universal school choice so that all Hoosier students can attend the school that's best for them, and prioritizing math and STEM education." 

All eight of the House Republican priority items advanced to the Governor's desk by the adjournment of session, including:

• House Enrolled Act 1001: Enacting an honestly balanced, two-year state budget that makes government more efficient, strengthens our commitment to education and public safety, and protects taxpayers.
• House Enrolled Act 1002: Reducing regulations on K-12 schools to increase flexibility and give local communities more control over education decisions.
• House Enrolled Act 1003: Lowering health care costs for Hoosiers by improving transparency and predictability in pricing and billing and giving patients more control over their treatment options.
• House Enrolled Act 1004: Ensuring nonprofit hospitals act as nonprofit entities focused on delivering health care.
• House Enrolled Act 1005: Improving access to housing by expanding the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program (RIF) and streamlining the regulatory process for housing development.
• House Enrolled Act 1006: Strengthening public safety by creating a review board to investigate prosecutors who refuse to enforce our laws.
• House Enrolled Act 1007: Meeting the needs of today's energy economy while reducing costs for Hoosiers.
• House Enrolled Act 1008: Welcoming Illinois counties that have voted to secede from their state to join us in Indiana.

"Indiana's biennial budget makes critical investments that will strengthen Indiana now and into the future," said State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola). "This session, we also passed legislation focused on reducing everyday costs for Hoosiers, like health care and utility costs. I also worked on multiple election-related bills that will support democracy and make our elections even more secure."

To track these and other bills as they are signed into law by the governor, click here.

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State Rep. Dale DeVon (R-Granger) represents House District 5,
which includes a portion of St. Joseph County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo. 

State Rep. Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) represents House District 7,
which includes portions of LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo. 

State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) represents House District 21,
which includes portions of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.