Budget Battle Lines (Part Two)
Indiana Lawmakers continue to chime in on the state’s current budget situation. Here are some of their positions..
Republican State Senator Luke Kenley
- While he opposes tapping into the state’s savings account, the real wild card in all this the federal economic stimulus package. He says the stimulus could create another dynamic however lawmakers need to realize any money from the federal level is temporary and should not be used for long term on-going programs.
- The tax caps are working and he doesn’t see how lawmakers could adjourn without passing tax caps and getting them closer to a vote to put them into the state constitution.
Republican State Representative Brian Bosma
- The state needs to tighten its belt and protect its reserves. By dipping into savings now the state may come up short later.
- Local governments should use this opportunity to become more creative in delivering services. Also schools should look for ways to transfer more money from the administration to the classroom to make up for any shortfall.
Democratic State Senator John Broden
- The state should tap into its reserves and use the funds for capital projects which will create jobs.
- Although not many local governments showed up to appeal property tax caps, that doesn’t mean many of them will won’t show up in the future. In addition, local governments will soon feel a serious financial pinch due to falling home prices.
