Governor Holcomb released his 2023 budget priorities today. I’m not seeing anything on here about housing or evictions relief. Are you?
Governor Holcomb Presents 2023 Budget Priorities
Holcomb’s proposal includes:
$347 million for public health based on recommendations from the Public Health Commission that was released earlier this summer - $100M and $200M, for each respective year, will be specifically for local public health agencies that opt into state funding. The other $47M includes money for health workforce planning, emergency preparedness, child health screenings, data analytics, dental care
$1.157 billion increase for K-12 tuition support
$160 million to eliminate textbook and curriculum material fees for all K-12 traditional public and public charter students and low-income private school students who meet the free-and-reduced lunch threshold (NOTE: Indiana is one of seven states that has textbook fees)
$184 million increase for higher education institutions (6% and 2% per year). The state support comes with a charge that a portion of the funding will be based on performance goals "focused on keeping the students that are coming to our state here in our state.”
$15 million increase to expand pre-K access to ~5000 families, by increasing eligibility from 127% to 138% of federal poverty limits - Federal funds will be used through September 2024 and will cost the state $15M per year for subsequent years
Create incentives for teachers who improve student literacy and expand adult education statewide
$50 million for trails
$25 million for land conservation
$1 million per year more for food banks
$500 million for another round of READI grants
$300M for a “deal closing fund”
Additional $300M for tax credit gap (tax breaks for new businesses locating in IN)
$150M for a ongoing revolving loan fund for site acquisition efforts
Increase starting pay for Indiana state troopers to $70,000/year (up from $53,690). Increase would also apply to other state law enforcement like excise police and conservation officers
Automatic enrollment for students for the 21st Century Scholarship program
Holcomb’s two-year budget would end with $3 billion in reserves, about 14% of the overall budget
Governor Holcomb’s presentation can be found here. (IndyStar)
