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

STATEHOUSE (May 15, 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 Vanderburgh County lawmakers.

"This session showed how Indiana can stay fiscally responsible while meeting the needs of Hoosier families," said State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville), who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and chair of the K-12 Subcommittee. "We cut taxes, crafted a balanced budget, invested in education and improved transparency around health care costs."

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 legislative session tackled a lot of different issues, including several important fiscal matters," said State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville). "By passing a balanced, responsible budget, our state government will work more efficiently while still cutting taxes for Hoosiers. We also made important progress to continue improving our criminal justice system and supporting our youth."

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.

"Our approach every session is to listen to the concerns of Hoosiers and respond with thoughtful, effective legislation," said State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka). "We advanced new ideas that reduce burdens on families, support local control and respect the taxpayer. I look forward to continuing to hear from members of our community on how we can make further progress for our region."

To learn more about these and other new laws signed by the governor, click here.

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State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) represents House District 64,
which includes portions of Gibson, Knox and Vanderburgh counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) represents House District 76, 
which includes all of Posey County and a portion of Vanderburgh County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Rep. Tim O'Brien (R-Evansville) represents House District 78,
which includes portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.