House Republicans Reject Dozens Of Democrats' Budget Amendments

House Republicans rejected more than two dozen amendments offered by Democrats to the budget bill Thursday.

The minority party’s proposals included an alternate version of the state’s two-year spending plan. They also pushed for a cigarette tax hike, funding for the Hoosier State Rail Line, conservation dollars, and increased teacher salaries.

On teacher pay, Rep. Greg Porter’s (D-Indianapolis) amendment would send money directly for raises.

“Real dollars for teachers at 5 percent supplemental pay for the next two years,” Porter says.

Republicans’ approach to teacher pay has avoided mandates – and Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) wants it to stay that way.

“And for us to become the deciding and influencing body of contracts of all the teachers in all the corporations is the wrong approach," Brown says. "This is still a local issue.”

It's common for the majority party, whether Republican or Democrat, to reject most – if not all – of the minority party's amendments to the budget bill. The House version of the budget will be up for passage Monday.