STATEHOUSE (Feb. 7, 2022) – In the first half of the 2022 legislative session, Vanderburgh County lawmakers voted to advance several key priorities, including a sweeping tax-cut package to help hardworking Hoosiers and businesses.
Now in the hands of the Indiana Senate, area lawmakers supported what would be the largest tax cut in state history, putting over $1.3 billion back in Hoosiers’ pockets. The state’s budget reserves are expected to hit a record $5 billion at the end of fiscal year 2022, which is $3 billion more than expected.
“Instead of growing the size of government, the right thing to do is to return money to Hoosiers,” said State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka). “Taxpayers earned this money and they know best how to use it to benefit their families and their businesses.”
Hostettler said House Bill 1002 would deliver direct relief to working Hoosiers by reducing the individual income tax from 3.23 to 3%. To encourage new investments, this legislation would also lower the business personal property tax while ensuring homeowners and schools aren’t negatively impacted. In addition, the bill would lower Hoosiers’ utility bills by repealing the 1.4% Utility Receipts Tax.
To alleviate the state’s ongoing nursing shortage, local lawmakers supported House Bill 1003 to boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to those seeking licensure. By 2031, Indiana will need 5,000 additional nurses and nursing programs will need to increase their graduating classes by 1,350 each year to meet this need. This is in addition to the current 4,300 nursing job openings statewide.
“In order to relieve the nursing shortage, we need faster pathways for students to fill these positions,” said State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville). “This legislation would help Hoosier talent by making it easier for students to gain experience while also growing the nursing candidate pool.”
O’Brien said this legislation would also give flexibility to nursing programs and nurse educators, and support nursing students working to obtain the required hours to be licensed.
To reduce jail overcrowding, area lawmakers supported House Bill 1004 to allow judges to send Level 6 felony offenders to the Indiana Department of Correction instead of county jails. The state often offers greater access to mental health and addiction treatment services.
“It’s clear that treatment and rehabilitation help reduce recidivism rates,” said State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville). “There are limited resources in many rural areas for mental health and drug addiction, and these offenders could access more resources through the DOC.”
McNamara, the co-author of the legislation, said a recent report shows nearly 75% of all felony criminal filings in Indiana are Level 6 felonies, with many of those substance-related, like drug possession or operating while intoxicated.
McNamara said there’s a lot of work left to do in the second half of the session as the Indiana House of Representatives will consider Senate bills and the Senate will consider House bills. Watch sessions and committees, and view legislation at iga.in.gov.
