Public health

During the conference committee meeting on the budget last week, many Democrats requested more funding for public health, with a priority on mental health in the state.

At the time, Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, promised more funds would be pushed aside for health, though at the time, lawmakers didn’t realize they’d receive an additional $1.5 billion from the revenue forecast the day after Tax Day.

Following through, the final proposed budget puts $75 million in fiscal year 2024 and $150 million in fiscal year 2025 toward local public health. President Pro Tempore Sen. Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, said the financial increase was “all in an effort to make sure that Indiana is safer but also healthier to go forward over the next few years.”

The proposed budget puts $50 million a year toward mental health funding and $1 million a year toward child behavioral health services.

Lawmakers put $2 million a year in veteran suicide prevention as well.

The budget invests almost $2 billion for K-12 education over the next two years and also includes a 23% increase for non-English speaking program per-student grants.

The final budget proposal also reflects the House’s desire to expand private school voucher eligibility. In the Senate’s original budget, it kept eligibility the same.

Following through on Gov. Eric Holcomb’s wish to eliminate textbook fees, the budget also allocates funds to cover costs for learning materials like textbooks and iPads.

Additionally, the budget increases funding for the On-My-Way Pre-K while also expanding the program.

Economic development

Funding a variety of capital projects, the budget puts money toward the following infrastructure plans across the state:

• $120 million for capital projects for IU Indianapolis and Purdue Indianapolis after the IUPUI split

• $26 million for airport improvement projects

• $97 million for the state archives buildings

• $100 million for a new inn at Potato Creek State Park

• $800 million for correctional facility upgrades

House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said he’s excited to fund IU and Purdue on their future endeavors downtown.

“I think it’s transformational for higher education and Indiana, specifically in Indianapolis,” Huston said.

Also, $5 million will go to Martin University, Indiana’s only predominantly Black institution.

Finally, the budget sets aside $10 million for land conservation and $30 million for Next Level Trails, following Holcomb’s request once again.

For a full breakdown of the budget via PowerPoint, go here.

What now?

The budget will now face the rules committees in each chamber and then be voted on by each chamber. The budget bill is usually the final bill of the legislative session.