Holcomb’s 2023 Proposed Budget Priorities
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)
