photo from Indiana Indiana Business
Eric Holcomb’s first proposed state budget calls for 32-billion dollars in state spending for the next two years.
Spending in most of state government would go up about 300-million dollars both years. School spending would go up about that much over the two years combined, with three-quarters of the increase backloaded into the second year.
Schools comprise just over half the budget. Office of Management and Budget director Micah Vincent says a 300-million-dollar shortfall in this year’s tax collections prompted some belt tightening.
Holcomb’s proposing to double the size of a pilot preschool program, though he’s said he’d like to keep the focus on pupils in the five counties already served by the program. House Education Chairman Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis) has also proposed doubling the program, but by increasing its reach from five counties to 10.
Holcomb’s budget would also give state police raises, and begin a seven-year modernization of computers at the Department of Revenue. He’s joining legislators in calling for a 20-year plan to fund Indiana roads but hasn’t proposed a specific way to pay for it.
Vincent says Holcomb wants a reserve of 11-and-a-half-percent as a safeguard against a recession.