INDIANAPOLIS —
There’s still a month to go before the November election, but Republicans who dominate the Indiana House of Representatives have already unveiled their legislative focus for the next session.
At a press conference in the House chambers Thursday, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said more job training and more education reform, along with a fiscally responsible budget, would top his caucus’ agenda when the General Assembly convenes in January.
Missing from the formal agenda were social issues, including an expected vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. But Bosma said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if that and other social issues were pushed through by Republicans who are likely to keep their power in the Statehouse — and may gain even more in November.
Bosma offered a grand vision of legislation that he said was aimed at securing the “American dream” for the next generation of Hoosiers. But he said details still need to be hammered out.
Still, he made clear that on the to-do list would be more access to pre-school education for low-income families, a big push for more and better vocational training in high school and beyond, and some serious resistance to the tax-cutting promises made by the men who want to be Indiana’s next governor.
“Some worthy programs have taken it on the chin,” said Bosma, referring to state funding cuts to social services, education, and local public safety services over the last two budget cycles. It’s time, he said, for some “restorations and strategic investments.”
Indiana ended the 2012 fiscal year with a $2 billion surplus, due to continued budget cuts and improved tax collections. Some legislators on both sides of the aisle are eager to spend some of that.
One idea floated by Bosma: expansion of the state’s private-school voucher program to more families, including low-income families who could use the taxpayer-funded voucher to pay for their children’s pre-school education.
Both major-party gubernatorial candidates, Republican Mike Pence and Democrat John Gregg, have vowed to cut taxes if they’re elected in November.
Bosma, though, made it clear that he’s warned both candidates that their promises may be foolhardy. He noted the legislature has already approved a phase-out of the inheritance tax and a lowering of the corporate income tax — both of which will impact state revenues.
“Any tax cut in addition to those has to be sustainable,” Bosma said. “Our team definitely has a long-term vision, not a campaign-oriented vision, for how we budget.”
Bosma is in a position to make that kind of claim. Republicans, who now hold 60 of the 100 House seats, are expected to pick up even more in November thanks in part to the retirements of a dozen House Democrats.
Brian Howey, a veteran political observer and publisher of Howey Politics Indiana, has said it’s a “distinct probability” that House Republicans could gain enough seats to give them a quorum-proof “super majority.” That means they wouldn’t need a single Democrat vote — or even a Democrat body — to pass legislation out of the House.
House Democrat Minority Leader Linda Lawson issued a somewhat wary response after Thursday’s press conference. She welcomed the emphasis on jobs and education, saying they’ve been the “primary concerns for Indiana House Democrats for years.”
And, unlike her combative predecessor whom she helped to topple, former Minority Leader Pat Bauer, she offered a kind of olive branch.
“In these tough, uncertain times, Indiana House Democrats stand ready to start working together to make sure our children get the education they deserve, all families can afford quality health care, and all Hoosiers can get jobs and keep them,” Lawson said. “We understand that by working together, we will make things better for everyone.”
Maureen Hayden covers the Statehouse for the CNHI newspapers. She can be reached at maureen.hayden@indianamediagroup.com.
State News
With eye on power, House Republicans set agenda
Bosma prioritizes job training, education
- State News
-
-
State won’t use free lunch program as poverty indicator
Indiana is changing the way it counts low-income students in public schools because Republican legislators suspect fraud in the federal school-lunch program used to measure poverty.
-
Report: State is both ‘leader and laggard’
A newly released report card on where Indiana ranks nationally in key economic measures shows the state is both “a leader and a laggard” in areas that signal potential for more prosperity.
-
Indiana’s high school grad rate continues upward
Indiana’s reported high school graduation rate continues to improve, moving from 77 percent to more than 88 percent in less than a decade, but there are still significant achievement gaps marked by race and income.
-
Schools chief Ritz on fast learning curve
For many occupants of the Indiana Statehouse, the week after the General Assembly wraps up its final frenzy of work is a quiet one. But not for Glenda Ritz.
-
SLIDESHOW: Governor Otis R. Bowen
Photos from the Indiana State Archives of the late Otis R. Bowen, who served as governor of the state as well as in the Ronald Reagan White House. The Bremen native died Saturday
-
Out of office, Lugar shuns retirement
One year ago, Indiana’s longest serving U.S. senator was rejected by Republican primary voters and forced into an unwelcome retirement from a distinguished political career that spanned 46 years. But at 81, former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar is hardly in a resting mode.
-
Lugar wary of Syria involvement
Former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar has been out of office since early January, but he’s still being sought after for his opinion about foreign policy matters he once helped shape.
-
Budget deal includes little funding for criminal code reform
Facing the end-of-session deadline, Indiana legislators moved forward on a bill to overhaul the state’s criminal sentencing laws but left undone the issue of where local communities will get the money to implement it.
-
Legislators closing in on final budget
In his first four months as the chief budget maker in the Indiana House, Republican Rep. Tim Brown hasn’t been surprised by the long hours, multiple demands and intense debate that goes with crafting a $30 billion spending plan.
-
New poll shows voters tepid on Pence tax plan
With just days to go before the deadline for a final budget bill, a new independent poll shows Republican Gov. Mike Pence may not have gotten much mileage for his travels around the state pitching his 10 percent tax cut plan.
- More State News Headlines
-
State won’t use free lunch program as poverty indicator
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
