The Indiana General
Assembly has reached the midway point of his four-month budget-writing
session. Here’s a look at some of the top issues lawmakers have dealt with:
STATE BUDGET: House
Republicans have advanced a $31 billion, two-year spending plan to the
Senate. It calls for 2.3 percent increases in school funding, but the
proposed shifting of tens of millions of dollars to growing suburban
districts would lead to cuts for many urban and rural districts with
shrinking enrollments. A final budget deal won’t be reached until near the
Legislature’s deadline to adjourn in late April.
EDUCATION CONTROL:
House and Senate Republicans have endorsed separate bills allowing
Democratic schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz to be removed as the state
Board of Education’s leader. The proposals would allow the board to elect
its own chairman rather than have Ritz automatically hold that position.
Ritz supporters say the change would disenfranchise voters who elected her
in 2012.
BOOZE AND GAMBLING:
A bill that would have legalized Sunday carryout alcohol sales died last
week when its sponsor decided he didn’t have enough support among House
members to win approval. The House by a wide margin approved easing state
gambling laws to permit riverboat casinos to move onto land and allow live
dealers for table games at the two horse track casinos despite Pence’s
opposition to the live dealer provisions. The fate of those changes in the
Senate is uncertain.
RELIGIOUS
OBJECTIONS: Senators approved a bill backed by social conservatives that
they say would protect people and businesses that refuse to provide services
for same-sex marriages on the basis of their faith. Opponents argue the
measure could essentially legalize discrimination.
CONSTRUCTION WAGES:
House Republicans pushed through a bill to eliminate the boards that set
construction wages for public projects, saying it would save state and local
governments millions by allowing more contractors to pay wages below union
scale. The measure is being backed by groups such as the Indiana Chamber of
Commerce and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana and
Kentucky, which represents non-union companies. Opponents argue the change
would hurt Indiana businesses by opening the door for low-paying,
out-of-state contractors.