By Senator Long in the Terre Haute Tribune-Star:
The 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly came to an end just a few weeks ago with the final passage of our state’s next two-year budget.
Months of deliberations have led to a budget that’s honestly balanced, retains adequate reserves, invests in our priorities and returns hundreds of millions of dollars in tax relief to Indiana residents. This includes a 5 percent income tax cut and the immediate elimination of the inheritance tax. Once fully implemented, this will be the largest tax cut in state history.
On top of tax relief that will keep more dollars in the hands of Hoosier families and employers, the budget fully funds vital state services. We’ve increased funding to promote advanced infrastructure projects by $400 million over the next two years, provided additional resources to Indiana’s Department of Child Services and allotted for substantial increases in K-12 education funding. I believe this budget will have far-reaching benefits not only for our state and local economies, but for every Hoosier household.
As one of our state’s primary focus points, education funding accounts for more than half of all General Fund spending in the budget. I’m grateful Indiana has been able to restore cuts made to education during the worst of the recession, and I’m excited to see what’s next for our students.
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This was a productive session, and Hoosiers have a great deal to look forward to — lower taxes, stronger schools and a state government that continues to operate within its means. Indiana’s financial responsibility has helped us become one of only six states in the nation with triple-A ratings from every major credit-rating agency. This is just one more strength employers can look to when deciding where to locate or expand.
As we head into the summer months, please stay in contact and let me know your ideas for how to improve our state. You can contact me by email at senator.long@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467. It was an honor to represent you in the Senate this year.
http://tribstar.com/flashpoint/x1374701231/FLASHPOINT-Legislative-session-reflected-Hoosier-priorities
