Indiana Capital Chronicle
For The Republic
INDIANAPOLIS — The state’s funding plan for the next two years made it through second reading largely unscathed, approving just one relatively minor change out of the 11 amendments called on Wednesday.
The second reading process is when any member of the chamber can introduce amendments from the floor.
That sets up a full vote on the budget today.
The House unanimously adopted a technical amendment from Rep. Jeff Thompson, the bill’s author, but resisted Democratic efforts. Such amendments would have expanded eligibility for On My Way Pre-K, increased funding for trail maintenance, created a gun safety grant program and more.
Some proposed amendments would have rejected Republican expansions of choice scholarships, or school vouchers, to all Hoosiers — including those making more than $220,000 annually.
“We need to really look at what we’re doing to education,” said Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis.
Republican budget architects said K-12 education would see a 2% bump each year but critics argue the increase is closer to 1.3% for traditional schools.
Thompson pushed back on Porter’s behemoth amendment, presented earlier this week. He pointed to the increase in property taxes paid by Hoosiers, which fund local services and school corporations.
“We believe it should be up to the parents on what is the best place for their students,” Thompson said.
Porter countered that delaying or striking various tax cuts would provide the funds needed.
Porter’s amendment would have also partially restored funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which got its first infusion of state funds just two years ago.
Jeffersonville Democratic Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser spoke in favor of the $4 million spend under Porter’s amendment, down from $6 million in the previous budget cycle. Post-pandemic, Indiana’s reading rates have yet to recover and have improved far slower than expected.
“Helping families establish a love of reading is the best way to spark a love of knowledge which is contained in books,” Dant Chesser said.
Tight revenues ahead
Thompson didn’t roundly reject Democratic priorities but noted the lack of new revenue under current projections. Revenue growth is projected to be moderate in the first year, with far slimmer margins in the second year of the biennial budget.
One amendment Thompson seemed open to, should funds emerge: expanding eligibility for On My Way Pre-K.
Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, proposed expanding eligibility from the current level, at 138% of the federal poverty level to 400% — or just over $48,000 for a family of four to more than $128,000.
“We should be setting our kids up for success,” said Hamilton.
“Our kids need this investment,” she continued.
Preschool has been shown to improve a child’s school performance, specifically in reading and math scores where Hoosier students currently lag.
Moving the eligibility level for the pre-K program would cost just $22 million, she said, in contrast to the $183 million needed for universal vouchers.
“There might be a spot where we can land,” Thompson said about the amendment. “But dollars are tight. That’s reality. And we have to have priorities.”
Democratic amendments were rejected on largely party-line votes. The bill will be heard one more time in the House Chamber for a final vote.
— The Indiana Capital Chronicle covers state government and the state legislature. For more, visit indianacapitalchronicle.com.
