INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Republican leaders say the newly approved state budget is a prudent plan that keeps the state protected in case of an economic recession.
The spending plan approved Wednesday night in party-lines votes anticipates the state keeping $2 billion in cash reserves, which Democrats maintain is done by ignoring important needs.
Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma says keeping strong state reserves was a purposeful decision. The new budget includes what Bosma says is a prudent measure of giving schools a base funding increase of 2.5% percent each of the next two years.
Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (LAN'-in) argues more could've been directed to teacher pay raises and programs such as child welfare services if Republicans didn't "worship at this altar of a $2 billion surplus."
