STATEHOUSE (July 14, 2023) – New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Reps. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) and Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
"This session was filled with opportunities to enact meaningful changes and policies that support hardworking Hoosiers and families, and we took action to do just that," Pressel said. "From providing tax relief to taking steps to lower health care costs, we made a lot of progress and I look forward to seeing Hoosiers reap the benefits."
Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state's new fiscal year on July 1.
Under the state's newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Pressel said thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. Through a substantial expansion of school choice, nearly all Hoosier families will be able to send their child to the school that best meets their needs. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
"We made strong investments in our students' K-12 education and supported families by eliminating curricular fees," said Teshka, a member of the House Education Committee. "More Hoosier students will qualify for the state's choice scholarship program, which empowers parents by giving them opportunities to find the right school for their child."
Local legislators also highlighted the following new laws:
Providing Tax Relief for Homeowners
Pressel said property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took actions to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
In an effort to lower patient and employer costs, there will be greater transparency and oversight of Indiana's largest hospital systems through a new Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force. Health care costs will be further contained by prohibiting billing practices that often result in a higher hospital price being charged for nonhospital-based services. Physicians will also receive more support for starting an independent practice, which could increase health care options and lower costs.
Keeping Politics Out of Pensions
Pressel and Teshka co-authored House Enrolled Act 1008 to keep Indiana's public pension system focused exclusively on maximizing returns, and not favor environmental, social and governance factors commonly referred to as ESG. Teshka said unfortunately, ESG investing can exclude American and Hoosier industries like fossil fuels and firearms, and could hurt workers.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
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State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents House District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
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.
