The Final Countdown
We are now at what hopefully will be the last day of the Indiana General Assembly. Here are my thoughts on the three big remaining issues…
The Budget
- Lawmakers are spending about the same amount of money and leaving about $1.3 billion in reserves. The big issue is a $100 million difference in education spending. Democrats want more, Senate Republicans want less. Don’t be surprised if they split the difference. Also note there are two competing budget plans out there. They are posted below.
Unemployment Insurance
- The business community is not happy with this plan at all and several of them told me yesterday that no plan is better than this one. The plan raises taxes on businesses by $400 million and has no cuts in benefits. House Republican leader Brian Bosma says his caucus won’t support it, leaving Democrats to vote for a tax increase. I am also hearing some of the more conservative members of the Republican Senate Caucus are not happy with the plan either. This could be the deal breaker.
CIB
- If I was the Mayor of Indianapolis, I would start drafting my plan B. At best they will get some taxing authority and there’s a chance any expansion of the sports district may include Circle Center Mall. Forget about the Colts and Pacers for now. Regardless, the sentiment in this building is turning into we’ve got bigger fish to fry and this is an Indianapolis problem. Come to think of it, I get out more than just Plan B, maybe Plan C, D, EF,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z might be in order as well.
I’ll keep you all posted throughout the course of the day.
