UPDATE FROM THE STATE HOUSE

An Ohio County Perspective from Dill Dorrell

As of this writing, the General Assembly continues to meet in Special Session in an attempt to reach a consensus on the state’s biennial budget before the June 30 deadline.
The greatest differences involve spending for education grades K through 12. A review of the Governor’s proposal, the House Democrats’ proposal and the Senate Republicans’ proposal indicate a great likelihood that a compromise is far from certain:
Governor Daniels’ budget spends $27.5 billion over two years, plus $1 billion of federal stimulus money with $6.46 billion in 2020 and $6.5 billion in 2011 for education K-12. The Governor’s plan gives schools a 0.25 percent increase in state funding each year.
The House Democrats have proposed a one year budget spending $13.6 billion over that one year, plus $900 million of federal stimulus money with $6.52 billion in 2010 for education K-12. The Democrat budget guarantees no school district would get less money next year than this year.
The Senate Republicans spend $27.8 billion over two years, plus $1.5 billion of stimulus money with $6.4 billion in 2010 and $6.52 billion in 2011 for education K-12. The Republican budget would see some school districts receiving more than last year and some receiving less.
It is difficult to speculate which side is right in its approach and which is wrong. A better summation might be that each is right and each is wrong. What we do know is Hoosiers want the General Assembly to pass the only piece of legislation that is required by the Constitution of the State of Indiana: a budget. And, we want legislators to pass it by the June 30 deadline.
Dillon Dorrell
Ohio County Council