Indiana Senate expected to pass budget bill-WEB ONLY

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Republicans who control the Indiana Senate are poised to pass their version of a new state budget bill.

The two-year spending plan cleared the amendment stage yesterday and was eligible for passage today. Passage would set up a showdown with the Democrat-led House on trying to strike a deal before Indiana’s current spending plan expires on June 30. The House passed its own budget proposal last week.

There are several differences between the two proposals. The Senate Republican plan would cover two years and slightly increase school funding. The House Democrat plan would cover only one year, and increase school funding by an average of 2 percent.
A House-Senate conference committee will try to negotiate a compromise in the next week.

In addition, the Senate is expected to pass a backup plan in case lawmakers don’t pass a new budget by a June 30 deadline.

Senate Republicans were set to approve the bill today. They say it’s designed to continue funding for state government at current levels if a new budget isn’t enacted on time.
Senate Republican leaders say it’s simply a fail-safe proposal, but outnumbered Democrats in the Senate and those who control the House say it’s premature and gives the administration of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels power to make spending decisions absent appropriations specifically approved by lawmakers.

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