(INDIANAPOLIS) – Even though the economy’s booming, Republicans are warning finances will be tight when legislators begin writing Indiana’s new state budget.
Legislators get an updated financial forecast in about two weeks, but House Speaker Brian Bosma says the current expectation is about 2{a951f02a8cac8e6d7fde2726b1b22da104131bed62748b49fddce88fa07005a6} more money coming in than this year. That’s an extra $350 million to work with — but the Department of Child Services is expected to soak up about 80{a951f02a8cac8e6d7fde2726b1b22da104131bed62748b49fddce88fa07005a6} of that money, as the state tries again to get a handle on swelling caseloads:
Bosma and House Ways and Means co-chairman Todd Huston (R-Fishers) say the second year of the two-year budget should be easier than the first, and they’re looking for ways to dilute the impact of the commitment to DCS.
Bosma says he does expect to increase school spending. Both parties have committed to more money for school safety, and Bosma has promised a bill to incresae teacher pay.
(Photo: Eric Berman/WIBC)
