Latest news with #CollegeSuccessProgram
Axios
17-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
House Republicans introduce nearly $47 billion spending plan
Budget uncertainty is driving Indiana lawmakers to seriously consider so-called "sin taxes." Why it matters: Republicans, who have generally opposed any tax increases, signaled during a budget discussion Monday that they would consider raising taxes on cigarettes, other tobacco products and alcohol. The state is facing revenue constraints, especially in the second year of the biennium budget, and uncertainty at the federal level as President Trump's administration proposes major spending cuts that could impact how much funding states receive. Driving the news: House Republicans introduced their two-year $46.7 billion spending plan Monday. It passed the House Ways and Means Committee 14-7, along party lines. The big picture: House Republicans' proposal is nearly in lock-step with Gov. Mike Braun's budget plan — including on education spending, the largest state expenditure. It increases the K-12 funding by 2% each year and lifts the income cap on the Choice Scholarships, the state's private school voucher program. It flatlines higher education funding at the amount schools are currently receiving and doesn't continue appropriations from the last budget for Martin University or the College Success Program. The bill also rolls $160 million for K-12 curricular materials, which was added to the state budget two years ago as a separate line item, into the overall funding formula. Yes, but: There are some differences. House Republicans spend about $500 million more in the first year and $380 million more than Braun in the second. The majority of that increase would go to the Department of Child Services and the Department of Corrections — two of the only state agencies that wouldn't see a 5% cut. They also didn't include many of Braun's tax breaks, including eliminating the tax on tips and introducing several sales tax holidays but did continue planned income tax reductions. It also provides an exemption, though, for feminine hygiene products. Zoom in: The committee accepted one additional amendment, from Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, to restore funding for the Civil Rights Commission and the Native American Indian Affairs Commission and to increase the appropriation for the minority health initiative. It shot down many other amendments, including those to raise the cigarette tax, cover weight loss drugs for Medicaid patients, increase spending for public transit and pre-kindergarten programming and restore funding for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The intrigue: Rep. Jeff Thompson, committee chair and the House's top budget writer, said he hopes to see a cigarette tax increase in the final budget bill. "I hope we get there," said Thompson, who voted against an amendment that would have done just that. Between the lines: The Senate has historically opposed raising the tax while the House has been more supportive. Thompson said the tough budget conditions may pave the way this year. Rep. Ed Delaney, D-Indianapolis, said he'll try again to raise the cigarette tax through an amendment on the House floor this week, and he would also support increases on alcohol and gaming. What he's saying: "I'd rather tax sin than income," Delaney said. Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, said he thinks the state needs to consider raising the alcohol tax too. What's next: The budget will hit the House floor for amendments and a final vote later this week. The Senate will propose its spending plan in the second half of the legislative session. A compromise budget deal is generally hammered out in the final days of session and could look quite different than what's being proposed now, depending on the final revenue forecast that's due out in April.
Axios
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Money for minority and low-income students on chopping block
A program designed to help minority and first-generation low-income students succeed in college may be on the chopping block. Why it matters: Indiana has struggled to boost its college-going rate, with just over half of high school graduates choosing to continue onto higher education. Increasing the number of minority, first-generation and low-income students going to college has been one of the state's strategies to boost educational attainment, as those groups tend to be underrepresented. Driving the news: Gov. Mike Braun's budget proposal eliminates funding for the College Success Program, created by lawmakers in 2023 with a $2.5 million annual appropriation. It also eliminates a $2.5 million annual appropriation for Martin University, the state's only predominantly Black higher education institution. How it works: The College Success Program, administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, has funded college success coaches at nearly two dozen campuses. They work primarily with 21st Century Scholars, helping them adjust on campus and supporting their persistence through to graduation. The Indiana University system, awarded 12 coaches, saw more bachelor's degrees earned and increased retention rates at most of its campuses. What they're saying: Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, said Braun's proposal is "wrong on so many levels." "The last administration realized that this funding would give students of color an equal chance at success," Porter said in a statement. "It was less than a century ago when Black students couldn't live in dorms, had to eat on separate sides of the dining room and couldn't swim in the university pool." "Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students." The other side: Braun's office did not respond to a request for comment. Flashback: Former Gov. Eric Holcomb first proposed the funding, putting $10 million for Martin in his 2023 spending plan. House Republicans honored that request, provided the money was used for education for high-demand professions. But Senate Republicans supported the College Success Program, and the final compromise budget divided funding between Martin and the wider program. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, told Axios this week it's too early in the budget process to say what his caucus will do, but he still supports the College Success Program. He said the Martin appropriation was a "one-time investment." A spokesperson for Martin University did not respond to a request for comment. Reality check: Braun's proposal is the very beginning of budget negotiations. The House will introduce its own budget in the coming weeks, followed by the Senate in the second half of the legislative session. A final budget deal won't be struck until April, likely in the final days of the session.
