Pence Signs $31 Billion Budget Plan

Indiana’s new budget became law Thursday with Gov. Mike Pence's signature.  He hails the state’s two-year, $31 billion spending plan as something “every Hoosier can be proud of.”

The governor signed the budget in front of a sea of students at an elementary school in Lebanon, highlighting the largest funding increase for K-12 schools in state history. Yet, at 2.3 percent growth each year, that increase only keeps pace with inflation.  Still, Pence calls it a historic achievement.

“Remember, it’s not just about the money," Pence said. "What I’m most encouraged about is the way that we’re making sure the dollars more accurately follow the child so that dollars are getting to schools as populations change.”

The budget keeps about 12 percent of state revenues in reserve, much less than the governor’s budget proposal.  Pence says he consulted closely with lawmakers and national experts about it.

“We’re very confident that by maintaining roughly 12 percent reserves that Indiana will maintain our triple-A bond rating and be one of the few states in the country that has a top bond rating from all of the major credit rating agencies,” Pence said.

Democrats, critical of the budget, point to losses for urban and some rural schools in the new school funding formula.