House budget getting set for final vote

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Indiana lawmakers are working together to make some final adjustments to the proposed state budget.

"We only had one or two amendments we didn't want the process to go on and on. We had just one large amendment that suggested different ideas," State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-27) said.

Klinker said those ideas focused around money allocated to education. While the amendments didn't pass in the House, she said she's hoping the Senate will take a closer look.

State Rep. Randy Truitt (R-26) said the first session of the year has been successful. Truitt said Republicans and Democrats are putting politics aside and making changes.

"It's been a session where I think the collaboration and camaraderie between Republicans and Democrats has been something that's been stressed," Truitt said.

A hot topic surrounding the budget discussion is the governor's request for a 10 percent income tax cut. State Rep. Don Lehe (R-25) said even though it's not included in the current budget, it's not out of the picture.

"That's still part of the work in progress," Lehe said about the proposed tax cuts. "The House Budget at this point didn't deal with that, but it doesn't meet it's not considered. I'm sure there will be some emphasize put on that and discussions on that and just where we end up with that is yet to be known."

"The bottom line is, this budget will not be able to be done and I mean the Republican budget that's passed second reading cannot occur with a 10 percent cut in taxes," Klinker said in response to the cuts.

Lawmakers will have a final vote on the proposed House budget plan Monday. Then it will be sent over to the Senate. The final budget will be completed by the end of April.