The Word on the Street
As Indiana lawmakers get closer to finishing up, I like to post the gossip, rumor, blatant innuendo and wild speculation that circles the hallways. I call it “The Word on the Street.” Take it for what’s it’s worth if you decide to spread it around. Here’s tonight’s entry…
Things aren’t looking good in those closed-door state budget negotiations. Right now House Democrats and Senate Republicans are getting cranky and on each other’s nerves. I hear there was name-calling and insult hurling because things were getting so bad. And while some progress is being made, sources tell me not enough is getting done and it may be to the point where there’s not enough time to write the budget before adjournment on Sunday.
So what are the issues? Where do I start? Three sticking points are taking school funding off the local property tax payers and giving it to the state. Democrats don’t like that idea, in part because of their ties to the Indiana State Teachers’ Association which aren’t fans of the plan.
Another point of contention is the slots. Republicans wants a public auction for any slot expansion, while Democrats prefer they be sold at a certain price to the current list of possible bidders.
So will Hoosiers see any real property tax relief? The dollar figure is about $200 million for homestead exemption credit. Which means is that the 25-percent increase is now 15-percent, so only a 10-percent average reduction in bills.
And to make matters worse, everyone is starting to realize Indiana is broke. It took them long enough.
Meanwhile, did State Rep. Craig Fry tell his fellow Democrats to pay or he won’t play? The word on the street is “yes.” Fry reportedly sent his House leadership a letter saying that unless he gets $2 million more for schools in his district, he won’t vote for the budget. Apparently not too many rank and file Democrats are happy with the budget and there could more dissention in the ranks.
There is also talk of Bill Crawford trying to slip his version of Indy Works into the budget, in the event talks fall apart with the current conference committee. However, you can stick a fork in that idea, Sen. Robert Meeks says that won’t be happening.
Stay tuned for more “Word on the Street.”
