State Workers Worried About Jobs As Deadline Looms

[Fiscally Speaking]

State Workers Worried About Jobs As Deadline Looms

State Workers Worried About Jobs As Deadline Looms
Fate Of 30,000 Workers Hangs In Balance


INDIANAPOLIS -- With lawmakers still at odds over a state budget, the looming prospect of a shutdown of state government gets more likely with each passing hour.

Democrats, who control the Indiana House, and Republicans, who are the majority in the state senate, don't appear to be any closer to reaching a budget agreement during the special session.

Prospects of a deal appear bleaker with each passing hour that lawmakers listen to public testimony on the issue, without the appearance of any real progress in those discussions.


Lawmakers must reach an agreement by midnight on June 30, or state government could shut down for the first time in modern history.

About 30,000 state employees are becoming increasingly worried they will be told to stay home starting next Wednesday.

State workers 6News' Ben Morriston spoke to were going about their usual duties Thursday, but said the budget battle is on their minds.

"It's very important. I mean, it supports our family," said one state worker. "My husband and I both work here, so it's a problem."

"I like my job very much," said another worker. "If I didn't have one -- well, I like my home. I like to eat. I'm afraid I wouldn't have those either."

Aside from workers' concerns, state services would also face severe cutbacks or cease entirely if a budget deal isn't reached.

"They won't get paid. They won't go to work, necessarily," said Rep. Jeff Espich, a Republican from Uniondale. "The services they provide will not happen. Yes, they should be concerned."

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles' 140 branches would close their doors. The Indiana Department of Transportation would stop making road repairs.

The Department of Natural Resources' 33 properties would be affected, and so would its 17 million yearly visitors.

WorkOne, which runs on primarily federal funding, would escape a shutdown, but most other state services would be shuttered.

Democratic Rep. William Crawford, chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, said Thursday that a shutdown is possible, but that he thinks it provides impetus to come to an agreement to avert a crisis.

"We have five days to reach an agreement. That should be more pressure on us to reach an agreement," Crawford said.

A shutdown could be avoided if a budget is passed, or if lawmakers approve a measure to keep operating despite a lack of agreement.

Indiana government's last shutdown happened in the mid 1800s, because of the Civil War.

[Fuck Me]

If lawmakers don't pass a new budget, what then?

Many services and jobs at risk if Tuesday's deadline isn't met

By Mary Beth Schneider and Bill Ruthhart
[e-mail]

Prisons in lockdown. State vendors going unpaid. Thousands of state employees on furlough.

Even funerals for the indigent placed on hold.

All are potential consequences if lawmakers fail to pass a new state budget by midnight Tuesday.

Gov. Mitch Daniels last month vowed that none of that would happen on his watch. But he acknowledged Thursday his legal options are few.

"We've researched the legal authority that we have, and all we can do is keep the most minimal services going on," the Republican governor said.

That would include public safety but few other things.

The question of what Daniels could legally keep running could be left to the courts -- but even their operation is in doubt because court funding, too, is part of the state budget.

Indiana hasn't faced this kind of budget brinksmanship since 1993 -- when a budget was passed in the final hours of the legislative session -- and hasn't missed the deadline to pass a budget since 1887.

Negotiations resume today, but lawmakers remain far apart on the issues, particularly on education funding. Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, said the situation had taken on an "aura of failure."

Here's how a shutdown could affect the ability of state government to do its job:

Public safety

Legislators say they expect some key public safety areas, including the State Police and Department of Correction, to stay in operation.

But even that is in doubt, and many agencies such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Natural Resources and the state health and transportation departments will face a shutdown.

A Legislative Services Agency memo outlining what's allowed in Indiana's Constitution found no authority for keeping most of state government operating.

State law singles out five areas -- psychiatric hospitals, the schools for the deaf and blind, the veterans home and a juvenile correctional facility -- to be kept open if no budget is passed.

And the Indiana Constitution specifies that "no money shall be drawn from the Treasury" unless approved by the legislature.

That combination may severely limit what Daniels can do.

"Does the governor have emergency power to use the state treasury to protect the public health and safety?" the memo asks. "We believe the answer is no."

Doug Garrison, spokesman for the Department of Correction, said Thursday no prisons will be shut down. But if nonessential prison staff are furloughed, inmates will be confined to their cells.

Paying contractors

Thousands of businesses that have contracts with the state could see payments from the state shut off.

One of them is Sullivan & Poore, an Indianapolis company that is the main contractor for a $10 million, three-year heating and air-conditioning project at the Statehouse.

The special session already has delayed the work, as crews that had expected to be at work now are having to wait. That, project manager Mark Lamm said, could end up costing taxpayers more money, as crews might have to work overtime or in special night shifts at higher pay rates to get the work completed before lawmakers return in November.

Job training

Anyone hoping to advance job prospects through education could be hurt, too.

Jeremy Ramstein, 21 and unemployed, said he had signed up for work at a temporary-employment agency. In an economy where jobs are scarce, the Indianapolis man realized he needs to get his general educational development certificate.

But when he went to sign up for classes at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center in Indianapolis, he discovered the classes were canceled. Chris Emmons, an employment service coordinator at Mary Rigg, said the state helps pay for the cost of the tests. With no budget passed, the classes had to be canceled.

"I was flabbergasted," Ramstein said. "I couldn't believe it. I didn't think that (state budget debate) could affect me like this. It has, in a devastating way."

Higher education

College-bound students already are being hurt.

With state funding uncertain, Indiana University is holding a special meeting today of the finance and audit committee of its board of trustees to pass a resolution saying the university will stay open no matter what happens.

But the budget uncertainty has become painful for students anyway. The universities cannot set their fall tuition rates, leaving families unsure of how much their children's education will cost.

LaMont Hendrix, a 22-year-old theater student at the University of Indianapolis, is among those anxiously waiting. He's depended on a mix of state and federal aid, plus loans, to pay for college.

"I live and die by how much state aid I get," Hendrix said.

If the state cuts his aid, he said, he'll have to seek more loans to finish his senior year.

Burials

Ken Massey, owner of Sutherland Park Cemetery in Indianapolis, said failure to pass a budget could have an impact lawmakers may never have imagined: delaying burial.

Massey said his is the only Marion County cemetery that accepts Medicaid for burial costs. Although many Medicaid dollars are provided by the federal government, burial costs are entirely covered by state Medicaid dollars, he said, which help about six to 10 families a month at his cemetery.

He said he could handle missing payments from the state for a while. But he needs the state to authorize the expenditure of Medicaid dollars, and if no state employees are working, that OK may not come.

"It could have a very devastating effect on those poor families trying to bury their loved ones," he said.

Campground fees

Indianapolis accountant Jim Groll, 51, has been planning for months to take his Coleman pop-up camper, his 20-foot deck boat and his two SeaDoos down to Lake Monroe. He has a campground reservation for July 8 and also is planning to join friends who have reservations there today through the July 4 holiday.

The state's had their campground reservation fees for months, he said, and he's planning to go -- budget or no budget.

If there's a barrier, he said, he'd just drive around it. If the campground restrooms are locked, he'll use a pit toilet, and if the electricity and water are shut off, he'll do without. But, he added, "A lot of people will be upset."

Additional Facts
HOW MUCH IT COSTS
A few of Indiana's vital statistics when it comes to the state budget:
$38 million Approximate amount that Indiana spends each day.
30,909 Active, full-time workers on the state's payroll.
$1.3 billion Total of annual salaries paid to state employees.
$536 million The state's largest monthly expenditure, on K-12 education.

PAST BUDGET IMPASSES
It hasn't happened often, but Indiana lawmakers have failed to pass budgets before. Here's when:
» 1857: The General Assembly, because of a deadlock between the two parties, fails to make either a tax levy for general purposes or to pass a general appropriations act.
» 1863: Meeting under the intense emotions of the Civil War, Republican lawmakers walk out over a dispute between the GOP governor, Oliver P. Morton, and Democrats who controlled the House and Senate. To avoid calling lawmakers back into a special session to approve a budget, Morton borrows federal and private funds, running state government with money drawn from his office safe.
» 1871: Stormy times and partisanship continue to prevail in this session. Again, a budget is not passed.
» 1887: The General Assembly accomplishes little in this session because of a partisan deadlock over who would replace Lt. Gov. Mahlon D. Manson, who resigned the previous year. Republican Robert S. Robertson was elected to replace him, but the Democrat-controlled Senate chooses Alonzo Greene Smith as presiding member instead. The session adjourns without a budget being passed.

Source: The Star archives; Indiana Law Journal; "The Centennial History of the Indiana General Assembly"

[Fuck us all]

In some staes, they will do things like keep minimal staff on and send the rest home. Furloughs if you will.

They can do things like, if you use a Sick day, vacation, FML, personal they will let you but you will not be paid for any days you miss.

The bad thing is the work and when they get the budget straightened out, then you get reimbursed. The in between time leaves them with no pay check.

We will just have to see what our legislatures will do. They can and have the power to do about anything is a state financial crisis. I hope they just get it figured before the end of the month.

[Lanka]

Services in danger if budget held up
Officials ponder government closing
By Niki KellyThe Journal GazetteAdvertisement

INDIANAPOLIS – With little progress made during another day of budget talks Thursday, the implications of a looming government shutdown are starting to get the attention of some lawmakers.


State parks could be closed over the Fourth of July weekend.


Property tax bills could be further stalled with the shutdown of state agencies.


Hoosiers could be stuck with expired driver’s licenses or plates.


“When I think about the possibility of failure ... I have to think about the shame that would be on us collectively,” Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, said. “I don’t want to be the next legislature that fails to pass a budget. People would have a right to be angry.”


Lawmakers have been working on a new state budget for the past six months. After they failed to come to agreement in the regular legislative session, Gov. Mitch Daniels called the General Assembly back in special session.


The current budget expires Tuesday, giving lawmakers just five days to reach a compromise.


Only four times in the state’s history has the legislature failed to pass a budget, according to the Legislative Services Agency. One was in 1863 when Gov. Oliver Morton ran the state on donations he obtained. The General Assembly also did not pass a budget in 1857, 1871 and 1887.


Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman visited Fort Wayne on Thursday to push for lawmakers to approve a reasonable budget, but she also said the administration is trying to determine what happens if one isn’t passed.


She would not specify what services or state offices might have to shut down, saying it is “very murky” and “it’s not an easy answer.”


Skillman also acknowledged there is significant apprehension among state employees about what a government shutdown would mean and that she hopes legislators won’t let that happen.


Michael Wartell, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne chancellor, attended Skillman’s news conference on campus and said he was unsure whether the university could remain open after Wednesday without a budget.


The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency put together a memo in mid-June that said Indiana is one of 20 shutdown states in the nation and indicated Daniels would have no legal authority to continue day-to-day operations.


“A state government shutdown presents the immediate question of how to mitigate the resulting hardships and frustrations that will result from a shutdown in the 21st century,” the memo said. “The executive, judicial and legislative departments provide a vast array of services to businesses and individuals each day.


“Nearly all these services will likely come to a halt on July 1, 2009, if there is no budget by that date.”


The basis of the memo is the Indiana Constitution, which says “no money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in pursuance of appropriations made by law.”


The state budget is the appropriating document for the state. Without it, there is no legal basis to pay state employees in the legislative, judicial and executive branches, according to the memo. Local courts might also be affected because the state pays the salaries or judges and prosecutors.


There is one law on the books that would allow the state to keep open all psychiatric hospitals, the Indiana School for the Deaf, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Indiana Veterans Home and the Plainfield Juvenile Correctional Facility.


But it does not specify other state prisons, agencies and general operations.


The same memo theorizes that Daniels or the state treasurer could seek judicial review for spending on public safety and health needs. But the memo said the existing state law allowing for a small number of institutions to continue running might work against state officials.


“The court could find that … the General Assembly has in fact addressed the possibility of a failure to enact a budget and … it provides for no other purpose.”


Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, said he was a freshman legislator in 1993 when lawmakers took until June 30 to finalize a budget.


“All legislators understand the dire consequences,” he said. “I have no doubt (Daniels) will shut down some agencies and stand in front of them saying ‘it’s not my fault’ with a big sign.”


Moses said the differences between the sides in 1993 were smaller compared to the philosophic gaps on school funding holding up the budget now.


“It was far less personal then, too,” Moses said. “The governor is making it personal.”


Benjamin Lanka of The Journal Gazette contributed to this story.

[IDOCO]

www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=10601115

Daniels warns of possible government shutdown

Indianapolis - Gov. Mitch Daniels says he's prepared to keep essential services such as public safety and some social services running if lawmakers don't pass a new budget by the time the current one expires at midnight Tuesday.


Daniels said Friday he would use emergency powers to ensure that state police and prisons continue to operate. But he says much of state government would shut down, including state parks, BMV branches and even casinos, which are regulated by the state. That means thousands of state employees would be furloughed.

He says blame for any shutdown would rest with Democrats who control the House because they aren't budging in budget talks.

It would mark the first time since the 1800s that lawmakers failed to come up with a budget by the end of the fiscal year.

House Speaker Pat Bauer pointed out that a special session could take up to 40 days, putting the last day at July 21st. That prompted this reaction from the governor Friday:

"Incredibly I hear that the special session might not end by June 30th - it might go on 40 days and 40 nights, it might go on beyond July 21st. I never expected anyone to say such a thing. I want to assure the public that if - amazing - they choose not to act by Tuesday night, the most vital services will continue. By that I mean the state police will continue to patrol the roads of Indiana, that its prisons will remain open and no one will either be released or unsupervised. Public assistance checks, we believe, can continue to go, including unemployment insurance, to those already qualified. The National Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, the Board of Health will be available on a standby basis. We believe we have the legal authority to do this and the financial means to do these basic and minimal things," Daniels said.

However, the governor added, "Other things would not occur. If the first of July were a Friday or Saturday next week, we might wait. But I don't think we can wait any longer to let the public know of the risks so that they can make plans. The parks would be closed. The BMV and all other state offices would be closed. The casinos would be closed. The lottery would not operate. All state employees aside from those directly related to public safety as I outlined would be furloughed."

House Democrats held a press conference just after noon saying they would continue to try to negotiated for the June 30th deadline. They also said they hoped the governor would free up some votes on his side to break the stalemate. That's exactly the opposite of what the governor has been saying. Daniels has asked Democrats to free up some of their votes.

[IDOCO]

Daniels outlines dire steps for shutdown

By Mary Beth Schneider
[e-mail]

Gov. Mitch Daniels today said most areas of state government not essential to public safety will shut down if lawmakers fail to pass a budget by their midnight Tuesday deadline.

State parks will close. So will all license branches and all other state offices, meaning most of Indiana's 33,000 state workers would be furloughed.

Casinos and horse-racing tracks, which he said cannot operate without gaming law enforcement, also would be forced to close, and the Hoosier Lottery would cease operations.

Schools and universities may continue to hold classes, but won't be getting any checks from the state until the budget impasse is resolved. And with no prosecutors being paid, Daniels said it was uncertain yet what the impact will be on local courts.

"I want to assure the public that if amazingly they (lawmakers) choose not to act by Tuesday night, vital services, the most vital services, will continue," he said.

State police will continue to patrol the highways. Prisons will remain in operation.

People who have already qualified for food stamps or unemployment will continue to get their checks — though no new claims will be processed or granted.

He said the Indiana National Guard, the Department of Homeland Security and the state Board of Health "will be available on a stand-by basis. We believe we will have the legal authority to do this and the financial means to do these basic and minimal things."

House Democrats said they are focused on getting a new budget passed by Tuesday's deadline, and said they find the consequences of the budget that Daniels is pushing the thing that Hoosiers should be scared about.

"The governor has had a good time flying around the state the past few days trying to scare people into supporting his budget demands," said Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, who was speaking for his caucus. "I think what people really ought to be scared of are the budget he wants passed, because it would decimate public education, give up on our kids, wouldn't do anything to put people back to work, wouldn't be good for workers here in Indiana."

He would not answer, though, whether it was better for lawmakers to continue trying to reach a budget Democrats can support even if it means missing Tuesday's deadline. He said the Democrats' focus is on trying to get that budget compromise by Tuesday.

"We can't be contemplating those things right now," he said of a government shutdown. "We've got to work. This is very, very tough."

Daniels, who last month said that a shutdown "will not happen," said that while he didn't expect this doomsday scenario to unfold, he needed to let the public know what to expect if it does.

"Incredibly I hear that this special session might not end by June 30. It might go on 40 days and 40 nights," Daniels told reporters this morning in a Statehouse news conference in his office.

And he blamed House Democrat leadership, particularly House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, saying the impasses would be resolved if only Bauer would simply let the Senate Republican version of the budget be put up for a vote.

Democrats object to several provisions in the GOP budget, including spending on virtual online charter schools and tax credits that benefit private schools. They also say the proposal would hurt many school districts, particularly in urban areas.

[Figg]

Good afternoon,



Below is the transcript of Gov. Daniels' media availability today, during which he discussed the budget talks and what will happen if no budget is passed on time. Video and audio of the meeting this morning also has been posted on the governor's Web page, under the newsroom section.



Thanks.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

062609 Media Availability



[00:00] GOV: I feel obligated to say that I have not been in Argentina. I’ve been in Brazil, and Terre Haute, and Paoli, and Corydon, and a few other places. But Brazil, Double Inn Diner, Route 40. I wasn’t planning to have anything to say today, but based on statements made yesterday by the House leadership, I feel I really need to now. Incredibly I hear it said that this special session might not end by June 30, might go on 40 days and 40 nights, and might go on beyond July 21st. I never expected anyone to say such a thing. I still don’t expect that to happen. A very reasonable compromise I think I made has been extended in many, many ways by the Senate leadership. The Senate is ready, the House Republicans are ready, and I’m ready to finish and go home. We are waiting only on the House Democratic leadership which hasn’t budged an inch, and has wasted a lot of time and tax payer money this week. I want to assure the public that if, amazingly, they choose not to act by Tuesday night vital services, the most vital services will continue. By that I mean, the State Police will continue to patrol the roads of Indiana. The prisons will remain open and no one will be either released or unsupervised. Public assistance checks, we believe, can continue to go, including unemployment insurance to those already qualified. The National Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Board of Health will be available on a standby basis. We believe we will have the legal authority to do this and the financial means to do these basic and minimal things. But other things would not occur and if the first of July were a Friday or Saturday next week we might wait, but I don’t think we can wait any longer to let the public know of the risks, so that they can make plans. The parks would be closed; the B.M.V and all other state offices would be closed. The casinos would be closed. The lottery would not operate. All state employees except for those directly related to public safety, as I outlined, would be furloughed. This would be an incredibly cruel and unfair result. And again we appeal to the House Democratic Leadership, they would be the only reason this would happen. It remains an unacceptable option to me, to the Senate leadership, to the House Republicans, and I know to most citizens of this state. And I continue to hope, expect, and predict that it will not come to this. But I didn’t want to wait until 24 hours before this remote possibility could occur to let the public know what the consequence would be and that we’re ready if forced, and I stress forced, to do this.



[03:15] Question: Governor, what about schools?



GOV: What about them?



Question: Would summer school continue, and state schools, and uh, public schools and classes, and universities?



GOV: We couldn’t send them any checks.



[03:27] Question: Could you tell us what authority, obviously LSA has come to a different conclusion.



[03:33] GOV: No they haven’t actually. Senator Bayh, then Governor Bayh faced this in 1993 and we looked back at contingency plans they made including an LSA decision at the time, or opinion at the time and it has to do with the fact that there are moneys that are continuing appropriations and which do not expire on June 30th. And that the board of finance could move these to an extreme emergency circumstance. And this would start with an declaration of emergency starting at 12:01, that I would issue on Wednesday, if the house refuses to act. And we would be able to shift on a limited basis, funds that are legal under continuing appropriations.



[04:24] Question: What’s being done to begin telling workers and other state workers who may not be coming to work?



[04:32] GOV: Nothing had been done because I didn’t believe and I still don’t believe that the house leadership would force this to happen. May I stress should it ever come to this cruel and unfair outcome, the responsibility will be 100% on the house leadership. And I certainly know firsthand that many members of that caucus do not want this result. In fact they do not want a budget that will bankrupt the state. But to my amazement, this whole week has been wasted, along with many taxpayer dollars, and with a generous compromise sitting in front. That bill would pass, I am completely convinced. We know this. I think the speaker is afraid to pass that compromise before the house because it would pass and this would all be over. So I still expect a more positive outcome. But after I saw what I saw last night, I realized that I may have misjudged, and may well be, that their leadership is willing to inflict this pain on Indiana. I appeal to them, please, let’s not do that.



[05:47] Question: I just wanted to clarify, you said that a couple of instances in employment would be for those already qualified. So no one would be able to apply for unemployment or food stamps?



[05:55]GOV: Right, under the law, only a state employee can declare someone eligible.



[06:02] Question: What state employee would be making those transfers of funds?



[06:07] GOV: The actual payments for unemployment and food stamps, for instance, are federal dollars. We are simply not going to have people going without. We believe we can at least continue payments, which in most cases are electronic, these days, to those who have been found eligible and deserving.



[06:29] Question: I see there is a state board of finance meeting posted for Monday, would that put some of these in place?



[06:34] GOV: That would be a time in which the necessary emergency actions could be taken.



[06:40] Question: What happens if the house sends some form of budget late Tuesday? Would you rush to sign it or would you have to put anything in place?



[06:50] GOV: They know what I will sign and what I won’t sign. I won’t sign a budget that bankrupts Indiana and forces a big tax increase. I won’t agree, as they suggested, to rating teacher pension funds. I won’t sign a budget that bankrupts Indiana and forces a big tax increase. I won’t agree, as they suggested, to raiding teacher pension funds or highway trust funds. They know exactly where the lines are. Almost anything within those lines I’m willing to sign. But by the way, the Senate is equally firm that all sorts of compromises have already been offered and are possible within those very simple boundaries. But we’ve watched a week (inaudible) without a word of cooperation from House. And now we hear they’d like to stick around well into July, I hardly know what to make of it. It sort of forced us to say things and plan for things that we hope not to ever have to do.



[07:46] Question: Do you have to sign it by midnight or does it need to be passed by midnight?



[07:50] GOV: No, don’t have to sign it, as I understand, before midnight. They have to pass it before midnight. I would sign it, just as quickly, assuming it’s acceptable, just as quickly as possible.



[08:01] Question: Is this a bargaining chip of some kind?



[08:07] GOV: You’re asking me to psychoanalyze? I can’t comment. I don’t know. Again, I’ve said all along, I can’t imagine anyone would want to put the state in that position. I’ve said it’s the unacceptable outcome. The Senate feels the same. House Republicans feel the same. And I think a majority of the Democratic Caucus feels the same. But to see this very revealing interview where it’s clear this is not everyone’s point of view, left me astonished but that’s what persuaded me we ought to at least put in preparation steps to protect the public and also to put the public on notice that astonishingly, that we can’t promise them that this will not be forced on us.



[09:00] Question: Why would casinos close?



[09:03] GOV: They cannot operate without law enforcement on the site. We’ve checked with the—it’s very clear. The same is true with the tracks too, by the way. They cannot operated unregulated or unsupervised without law enforcement and they are state personnel, so they’d have to close at 12 midnight. [Question: The rules that would allow the Indiana State Police to operate wouldn’t allow them to operate?] GOV: I don’t consider casino gambling essential to public safety.



[09:38] Question: How and when would a notice go out to state employees regarding a shutdown?



[09:50] GOV: Well, I think again, we might pattern it after the notice that was ready and waiting back in 1993. But in this era, we believe we could reach most state employees electronically. Haven’t made any decision. Again, our fervent hope is that it never comes to this. We’ve done everything we know how to be reasonable and forthcoming. The Senate went further than we did, and I have said that’s ok. So we’re doing everything we know how to prevent this from happening. There will be only one reason it will ever happen, and we’re appealing to those who seem to find it acceptable to come off of that position.

[10:32] Question: Would local courts have to shut down because of state payments?



[10:38] GOV: Good question and I don’t know the answer. We’ll get back to you.



[10:45] Question: Have you been meeting with Democrat lawmakers to talk to them about voting for this budget?



[10:50] GOV: I have, but it was in the course of my travels. I am sensitive to their position, I didn’t press anybody. Because I know that the risks they take if they ever consider an independent stance on an issue like this. I can tell you this, I know to a certainty there are many democrats in that house caucus that are not comfortable with a bankruptcy budget of the kind that was pushed through their body, and would vote for a reasonable compromise like the senate version. This special session could be over in 5 minutes if the leadership in the House would put that Senate compromise on the floor.



[11:33] Question: Will this come down to you making a phone call to [Bauer]?



[11:40] GOV: I’ve tried what I know how to try. I think at this point it has to involve the people who have put us in this position searching their conscience and seeing if they really want to continue to put politics as they see it ahead of the public interest. By the way I don’t see the politics this way. Becky and I have just been all over this state. I haven’t had one person say “spend all that money; blow the reserves, raise my taxes when you are done.” I don’t find that sentiment anywhere. There is an ocean of sentiment that says, “I am glad Indiana’s still solvent; I am glad we are one of the few states not raising taxes or slashing education; hold the line, don’t let them spend it all.”



[12:30] Question: When was the last time you spoke with the Speaker?



[12:34] GOV: It’s been awhile, but I’ve tried and I am always willing.



[12:41] Question: Since this special session began?



[12:48] GOV: Yes, at the time I submitted my budget. My second submission.



[12:53] Question: Has he rejected meetings?



[12:55] GOV: He hasn’t asked for any.



[13:00] Question: If the Speaker on Monday says he will only provide 3 democratic votes, is that an acceptable position to you or just more brinksmanship?



[13:09] GOV: I will leave that question to Leader Bosma, but [Bauer] ought to just let people vote their conscience. There will be a lot more than 3.



[13:22] Question: An estimate of how many state employees would be furloughed?



[13:29] GOV: We could get you one. There are about 30,000 state employees and you subtract Corrections and the enforcement part of the State Police, and there wouldn’t be too many more.



[13:39] Question: Can you go over again the list of what would be considered emergency services?



[13:47] GOV: Sure, not that we wouldn’t add to this. We’ve been working on this. Again, this is a back-up to a back-up. I didn’t remind you but I will now: In addition to the Senate compromise, there is the continuing resolution. If the Speaker doesn’t want to allow a vote, or agree to the Senate compromise, he can always pass that and none of this will occur. So this is the third and last resort. And we may identify other things, but the ones that we’ve been able to identify so far, the things that I simply will not allow to lapse, are the protection of the public—and that means the state police, that means homeland security, Board of Health and National Guard on standby status. We believe under emergency powers we could call them into action if needed. It means the correction system, at least the part of it necessary to operate prisons and to make sure that we have good security. And whatever it takes to get public assistance out to those who are qualified. That’s the list…[Question: INDOT? State universities?] GOV: Yes, and let me just mention another very cruel impact of what is going. I ran into this in multiple places during my 12-town trip this week. You’ve got student who have no clue how much state assistance they’ll have for their tuition. And some students aren’t sure whether to enroll at School A or School B or what other financial arrangements they might have to make. There is an enormous human cost to what’s going on here. Its’ bad enough they didn’t finish in April and we’re still sitting here with the clock ticking and 100 hours to go. And then to talk about rolling this whole thing on to July is just unthinkable. And I never imagined anyone suggesting such a thing until last night’s report.



[16:00] Question: I just want to clarify—does an email go out to state employees at 12:01 (a.m. on Wednesday) or do you send something out during the day on Tuesday?



[16:15] GOV: Eric, if it will help, we’ll send it 1:38 on Tuesday afternoon, how’s that?



[16:23] Question: So if the BMV isn’t open and people can’t renew their licenses, are they going to be held liable for that if arrested?



[16:30] GOV: I don’t know. We’re researching whether we could simply waive any penalties or enforcement on people who are innocently caught in situations like that. It’s a very good question and I think we could probably handled that through, let’s call it “prosecutorial discretion” or “law enforcement discretion.” Ok, thank you very much.

[Verbatim]

Verbatim: Analysts say Indiana government would shut down without budget

¡öServices in danger if budget held up
Statement issued Friday by the Indiana Senate Majority Caucus:

Nonpartisan, bipartisan groups say neither constitution nor laws provide for continued services; Indiana¡¯s public schools, universities, state parks, license branches, highways could be impacted

INDIANAPOLIS (June 26, 2009) ¨C Analysis by two independent organizations concludes the doors of Indiana state government will close next Wednesday if lawmakers and the governor are unable to reach a budget agreement.

The bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) both concluded Indiana¡¯s Constitution, state law and related court decisions do not allow for the continuation of services without appropriations expressed in state law.

Indiana¡¯s public K-12 schools, colleges and universities, state parks, license branches, highways and other key state-funded agencies and programs would be effected, according to the groups¡¯ findings released by Senate President Pro Tem David C. Long (R-Fort Wayne).

Long said, "Current Indiana law already allows funding to continue for psychiatric hospitals, the School for the Deaf, the School for the Blind, the Veterans¡¯ Home and Plainfield Juvenile Facility. Beyond that, the governor believes he has the authority to maintain public safety ¨C prisons, state police, homeland security and Indiana National Guard."

NCSL, a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staffs of all 50 states, categorizes Indiana as one of 20 shut-down states. Eleven states allow temporary appropriation bills. The remaining 19 have constitutional provisions or statutory procedures to ensure uninterrupted operation of state services during an appropriations lapse.

LSA, the nonpartisan legal arm of the Indiana General Assembly, agreed last week with NCSL¡¯s findings. In a June 19, 2009, memorandum, LSA noted the governor may seek additional spending power through the courts, but such outcomes would be unprecedented and possibly untimely.

Time is running out for fiscal leaders from the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives and Republican-led Senate to negotiate a budget compromise. Indiana¡¯s fiscal year ends at midnight on June 30.

Anticipating the findings of NCSL and LSA, the Senate president pro tem offered a "safety net" bill that would keep the current state budget in place until another budget could be passed.

"Only one scenario is worse than lawmakers not passing a new budget, and that is the state coming to a screeching halt and shutting down critical services to our citizens," Long said. "Senate Bill 1 would ensure that Indiana¡¯s classrooms and lecture halls, state parks and license branches, highways and other important state-supported services receive necessary funding to maintain operations and continue serving Hoosiers."

Long¡¯s plan quickly passed the Senate, but was balked at by Democrat leaders in the House, where it has not received a committee hearing.

With just four more calendar days remaining in the current state fiscal year, House and Senate fiscal leaders continue meeting in hopes of striking a compromise. No lawmaker voices confidence and the governor says his patience has "worn thin."

"My hope is we¡¯re not witnessing a shift from showdown to shutdown," Long said. "Lawmakers have only so much time and taxpayers have only so much money."
www.journalgazette.net/article/20090626/BLOGS01/906269925

[DOC2]

Lawmakers work to reach
budget deal
Updated: Sunday, 28 Jun 2009, 8:43 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 28 Jun 2009, 8:04 PM EDT

Daniel Miller
Edited by Jackie Carpenter
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Budget negotiators held a lengthy private session at the statehouse Sunday. State lawmakers now have days to reach agreement on a new budget or force a government shutdown.

Lawmakers have a Tuesday midnight deadline. If no state budget passes, the Governor says some parts of state government could shutdown. Such an important deadline looming over State lawmakers has some Hooisers talking.

"I have faith in civilization that we're going to do it," Don Dewees of Indianapolis said.

After weeks of battle, lawmakers have passed no state budget. With no budget compromise, Governor Daniels is making preparations for a government shutdown.

"It's going to be a big mess. If it actually does shutdown," remarked Dewees.

Governor Daniels says if no state budget is passed by midnight Tuesday, some government functions will stop including the BMV. The Governor also says state parks and the casinos will be closed.

"The most vital services will continue. By that I mean the state police will continue to patrol the roads of Indiana. The prisons will remain open and nobody will be released or unsupervised," explained Governor Mitch Daniels

"Sometimes it takes hard negotiations, these are serious matters," Keni Washington of Indianapolis said.

Washington disagrees with the Governor's decision, but believes lawmakers will compromise, "From time to time, that's part of the political process, sometimes it takes longer."

One Hoosier said it's just wait and see game, "I think that you know maybe the best thing to do is just sit tight and hope they get it done."

"You have to have that June 30 deadline. We all know, practical reality, deadline are very important in negotiations," Democratic Representative Scott Pelath explained..

With just days left until June 30th, state lawmakers have little time to spare.

[greener]

Indiana budget talks resume with 2 days to go

Updated: June 29, 2009 02:44 PM EDT

Indianapolis - Indiana lawmakers were back at the Statehouse on Monday as legislative leaders sought agreement on a new state budget before the current one expires at the end of Tuesday.

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would keep essential services such as state police and prisons running if a new budget or stopgap funding measure is not approved by midnight Tuesday. But he has warned that much of state government would shut down, including state parks, Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches and most state offices.

House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, suggested Monday that majority House Democrats might be willing to accept a traditional two-year spending plan instead of a one-year budget bill they passed during the special session that began on June 11.

He said some progress was made in weekend negotiations with Republicans who rule the Senate and private talks continued Monday, but they remained at odds over how billions of dollars would be distributed to the state's nearly 300 public school districts.

A one-year, $14.5 billion budget passed by House Democrats would give schools a statewide average increase of 2 percent next year and guarantee that no district receives less than they got this year.

The two-year, $28.5 billion plan passed by the Senate would increase state spending for schools by about 0.5 percent in each of the next two years. Many urban and rural districts losing enrollment would see cuts, while some growing suburban districts would see big increases.

"Whether you make the rich richer and the poor poorer is probably what we get down to," Bauer said. "The school formula is always a very, very difficult."

The Republican-controlled state Board of Finance was prepared to meet in an emergency session on Wednesday to potentially transfer hundreds of millions of dollars to keep essential services such as prisons and state police running if a new budget or temporary funding measure was not enacted on time.

The Daniels' administration also has said that unemployment benefits, child support payments and welfare assistance would continue to be rendered for those already eligible.

State health officials and the Indiana National Guard also would be on standby if needed, but most state offices would close and most of the state's 30,900 full-time employees would be furloughed.

Steve Johnson, executive director of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, said he believed courts around the state would continue to operate in the event of a government shutdown.

"As a matter of law, I don't see how the courts could be shut down," he said Monday, citing constitutional requirements. Johnson said he believed courts and prosecutors would keep working under the same emergency provisions that officials plan to use to keep public safety services operating. Police would still be making arrests, and defendants are constitutionally required to appear before a judge within 24 to 48 hours, he said.

"At least there would have to be some people in the courts and prosecutor's office that would keep the cases flowing, because arrests are going to be made regardless," he said.

[88]

Many State Workers Vow To Volunteer If Shutdown Happens
Secretary Of State's Office Among Those To Keep Running Regardless

INDIANAPOLIS -- Nearly 31,000 state workers will be laid off Wednesday if legislators don't pass a state budget or a stopgap measure to keep them on the job, but some of those workers said Monday they will volunteer if need be.

State employees feel caught in the middle of something they have no control over, 6News' Ben Morriston reported.

Secretary of State Todd Rokita and much of his staff said they will keep his service center running, regardless of what happens with the budget.


"I'm perfectly happy to come in, even if I'm not making my hourly wage," said Jim Gavin, communications director of the office. "I'm hoping, of course, that the government shutdown, if it happens, would be brief and temporary."

The sentiment was common among other state employees.

"I love working for the state," said a woman, who 6News identified only as Suzan. "I'd volunteer my time. They're good to their employees, and that would be a way for me to give something back."

Most taxpayers said they applaud anyone who would agree to work for free.

"I think they're tremendous benefits to the state of Indiana," said Indianapolis resident Matt Taylor. "That's the kind of people they need in state government."

"If they have enough free time to volunteer their time to help the government, I think that would be nice to do," said resident Tommy Brooks.

It's not entirely clear if it's legal for state employees to work for free, Morriston reported. The Attorney General's Office has not ruled on that subject.

[Budget]

Bauer: "Tentative" deal made on state budget

House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend)

Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - A tentative agreement at the statehouse may avert the first government shutdown in 122 years.

The give and take for the tentative agreement on a state budget started over the weekend. Early Monday, House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) announced he would consider a two-year budget instead of the one-year plan his caucus had offered. Monday night, he went a step further, saying he would support the Republican budget with some alterations.

"It's a tentative agreement," Bauer told Eyewitness News.

According to Bauer, the tentative agreement includes a $54 million in additional dollars for K-12 education and $106 million more for higher education.

"Higher ed was cut minus four percent and now it has no cuts. I added $106 million so tuition should not go up so much. So I think we can provide some votes to get it done," Bauer said.

The deal allows federal stimulus dollars for higher ed to be used for operating and RR. The speaker had said the Republican budget would cost 4,000 teachers their jobs. Now, he hopes that will be reduced by 40-50%.

"It follows the governor's prescription of 'spend a dollar, cut a dollar' and we have scored our budget and it does have a billion dollar budget at the end of two years," said Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville).

The budget, which will take four hours to print, includes a CIB bailout that leaves the board with nine members. Lawmakers adopted a hotel tax now and defers the car rental and ticket tax to 2013.

"At the end, they have the taxes available if they need them and if they don't need them, they can avoid passing them," Kenley said.

"We are only hours away from a government shutdown, caused those folks entrenched in positions to say, 'It's time to move'," said House Minority Leader Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis).

"We've got a document that we have to have go to press and make some last minute changes," said Sen. David Long (R-Ft. Wayne) "We are as good to go as we can be."

The House will come back in at 10 a.m. Tuesday for the final stretch run. The goal is to have a new two-year budget adopted before midnight Tuesday.

From the Associated Press:

Leaders of the Democrat-controlled House and Republican-ruled Senate said Monday night that they were very close to agreeing on a new two-year state budget, and votes on the plan were expected Tuesday.

Lawmakers must pass a new budget or a stopgap funding measure by midnight Tuesday, when the current spending plan expires, or Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said much of state government would shut down.

"The prospect of not finishing on June 30 was distasteful to everyone," said Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne. "I think the public expects you to get it done."

Long said Daniels was on board with the plan.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, said the bill would spend an estimated $27.8 billion over two years, and provide spending increases for public schools of about 1 percent the first year and 0.3 percent the second year. Higher education funding would essentially remain flat, although there was bonding authority for numerous university building projects.

Long predicted the plan would pass the Senate, where Republicans have a commanding 33-17 majority. Democrats control the House 52-48, and Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said it would take Republican support to pass it in that chamber.

"This is a very Republican-flavored bill," Bauer said shortly before the House adjourned for the evening. "They've made some adjustments, but if you're at the flavor of the other party, they've got to help pay for the drink."

Bauer said he would put the plan up for a vote Tuesday, but "whether it succeeds or not is another story."

The General Assembly did not pass a new budget by the regular session deadline of April 29, forcing a special session that began June 11.

Bauer said earlier Monday that the parties remained at odds over how billions of dollars would be distributed to the state's nearly 300 public school districts.

A one-year, $14.5 billion budget bill passed earlier by House Democrats would give schools statewide an average increase of 2 percent next year and guarantee no district receives less than this year.

A two-year, $28.5 billion plan passed earlier by the Senate would increase state spending for schools by about 0.5 percent in each of the next two years. Many urban and rural districts losing enrollment would see cuts, while some growing suburban districts would see big increases.

"We thought the governor and the budget sent over (from the Senate) cut thousands of teachers," Bauer said. "We put more money into the school formula."

Kenley said the compromise plan probably favored Republicans' wishes more than Democrats', but he gave Bauer credit for agreeing to put the bill up for a vote Tuesday. He said the economic downturn made it an extremely difficult budget to draft, and indicated its passage in the House was no certainty.

"People are going to negotiate until the last hat drops," he said. "We think we've gone as far as we can go to meet them (House Democrats)."

Bauer said the plan to be voted on did not have a limit on charter schools, which House Democrats had sought earlier. He also said there was some money to provide tax credits for people who donate to scholarship organizations that allow students to attend private schools - something else Democrats did not favor.

The Republican-controlled state Board of Finance was prepared to meet in an emergency session Wednesday to potentially transfer hundreds of millions of dollars to keep essential services such as prisons and state police running if a new budget or temporary funding measure was not enacted on time.

The Daniels' administration also has said unemployment benefits, child support payments and welfare assistance would continue to be rendered for those already eligible.

But Daniels has said state parks would close, as would Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches and most state offices; most of the state's 30,900 full-time employees would be furloughed.

Deal at a glance

A look at some of features of a possible budget deal between Democrats who control the Indiana House and Republicans who control the state Senate, according to Senate Republicans:

- Would spend about $27.8 billion over the two-year budget cycle.

- Public schools would see an average funding increase of about 1 percent in the first year and 0.3 percent in the second year. That's less than House Democrats wanted for schools but $54 million more than Senate Republicans provided in their latest version of the budget.

- Includes "trigger" mechanism so that if the economy improves and state revenues increase, schools would get a share of that extra cash.

- Includes no limits on charter schools as some Democrats wanted.

- Includes a pilot program for virtual charter schools, to which Democrats had objected, but allows only 200 students the first year and 500 students the second year. That's a smaller group of students than the Senate Republicans recently included in their version of the budget.

- Keeps higher education funding essentially flat by using federal economic stimulus money to fill spending cuts.

- Keeps $1 billion in reserves at the end of the budget cycle as Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels required.

- Includes a plan to help the struggling Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board by allowing the city to raise its hotel tax and possibly other taxes later if the CIB needs more financial help.

- House and Senate leaders hope to vote on the budget plan Tuesday before the current budget expires. If lawmakers don't reach an agreement by midnight Tuesday, most of state government is expected to shut down.

Source: Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville.

[Furlough]

June 30, 2009



Dear Co-Worker:



I apologize that I am only just now communicating with you, but I have held off at the request of state legislators who are working to reach a budget compromise before the fiscal year ends tonight. When midday arrived with still no formal agreement, I informed the General Assembly that in fairness to state employees I could not wait any longer. So, it is with great regret, I write to inform you of the unfortunate possibility that as of midnight, our state government will be forced to shut down and suspend many of its operations.



I have done everything in my power to avoid this outcome. When the legislature failed to pass a budget in April, I called them back into session a week earlier than expected, to give them extra time to reach an agreement. I revised my original January budget proposal to incorporate numerous compromises, including the use of a significant portion of our state reserve funds. Some observers felt that I had gone too far: the Indy Star, on June 7th, even described our concessions as potentially “foolhardy.” The Senate subsequently produced a budget that made even greater compromises, which again, in hopes of a reasonable solution, I agreed to support. Additional concessions were made late yesterday in a final attempt at compromise and early reports suggest that perhaps these last changes have resulted in a deal although no vote has been taken and no budget has yet passed. At my request the Senate also passed a stop-gap measure to keep government open even if a budget still did not pass in time.



Please note I have a greater sense of optimism today that the members of the Indiana General Assembly have agreed to a budget and will vote to pass it before the deadline of midnight tonight than I did yesterday. However, in the event that a budget is not passed by midnight tonight, it is my responsibility to notify you of the potential interruption of all state government activities except those of a public safety, life and death nature. Attached is a memo, detailing the particulars of the shutdown process as a precautionary measure in the event the General Assembly fails to pass a budget.



Though the potential for closure remains a possibility, I still hope for another conclusion. Over the next 12 hours I will join you in watching the General Assembly as they consider and hopefully pass a responsible, 2-year state budget which I can sign. You are delivering the finest state government service Indiana has ever seen and I thank you sincerely for it.

Sincerely,





















TO: Employees of the Executive Branch of Indiana State Government

FROM: Daniel L. Hacker, Director, State Personnel Department

RE: Furlough

DATE: June 30, 2009



As Governor Daniels stated in his e-mail, if the General Assembly fails to enact a budget by midnight, most of state government will have to be shut down. Without a budget, the state does not have authorization to spend funds for wages and services. Employees, other than those engaged in emergency operations, will be on furlough. A furlough is an unpaid leave of absence.



Please monitor the news reports tonight and tomorrow morning. Also, an update will be posted on www.in.gov. If a budget has not passed, you should not report to work unless you have received specific instructions to report from your appointing authority.



During a furlough, employees are not paid. There is no option to use vacation, personal or sick leave during the furlough. Employees are not permitted to volunteer their time. The ID/access cards of all nonessential employees will be temporarily deactivated during the furlough.



If a budget has not passed by the time you leave work today, please make the following changes to your voicemail and e-mail to notify the public in the event of a shutdown:



Voicemail - “Thank you for calling (agency). You have reached (Person’s office). Indiana state government offices are currently closed and will remain closed for an indefinite period of time due to the failure of The Indiana General Assembly to pass a budget by June 30. I will be out of the office until a budget is passed.”

E-mail - Turn on the out of office assistant and insert this text: “Indiana state government is closed indefinitely because the Indiana General Assembly failed to pass a budget by June 30. I am out of the office and will not be responding to e-mail while this shutdown is in effect. I will return when a budget is passed.”



If a budget passes and there is no shutdown, please change back to current message immediately Wednesday morning.



Once an appropriations bill passes the General Assembly, we will resume regular operations, and you will be expected to report for your next scheduled shift. It is important that you monitor the news reports and keep informed throughout this period. An update will also be posted on www.in.gov when a budget is approved.



There should be no lapse in your health, vision, dental or life insurance coverage.



It is our hope that the legislature will resolve the funding issue prior to the deadline so that state government can continue to provide services to Hoosiers without interruption.

[House passes budget bill]

House passes budget bill

Indianapolis - The Indiana House has voted to pass a new two-year state budget after an impassioned debate that reflected deep divisions among lawmakers.

The Democrat-led House voted 62-36 for the bill, with most of the chamber's 48 Republicans voting for it and most of the 52 Democrats voting against.

The Republican-ruled Senate was expected to pass the bill and send it to Gov. Mitch Daniels. Republican leaders say he supports the plan, which would spend an estimated $27.8 billion over two years and protect the state's reserves.

Lawmakers faced a midnight Tuesday deadline to pass a new budget or stopgap funding measure to prevent most state government from shutting down. It would have been the first time in 122 years that the Indiana government shut down, and state agencies were preparing to close their doors Wednesday.

Education was a sticking point in the negotiations. The deal allows federal stimulus dollars for higher ed to be used for operating and RR. The speaker had said the Republican budget would cost 4,000 teachers their jobs. Now, he hopes that will be reduced by 40 to 50 percent.

"There's winners and losers, but one thing in the process, I think the 2,000 or more teachers who would have lost their jobs are winners. The 6,000 workers that might have lost their jobs if that retroactive tax had stayed in there are winners. I think a lot of students that are going to college are winners because I think that minus four-percent cut the governor had for higher ed will now help them not increase tuition as much," said House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend).


The budget, which will take four hours to print, includes a CIB bailout that leaves the board with nine members. Lawmakers adopted a hotel tax now and defers the car rental and ticket tax to 2013.

"This is a Band-Aid for the Capital Improvement Board. There's gonna have to be some very serious work done by the city and the mayor to revamp that organization. They're gonna have much fewer means to work with. I think the program that was adopted tonight is a good short-term measure but they're going to have to put together a long-term plan to solve the city's problems," said House Minority Leader Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis).



Deal at a glance

A look at some of features of a possible budget deal between Democrats who control the Indiana House and Republicans who control the state Senate, according to Senate Republicans:

- Would spend about $27.8 billion over the two-year budget cycle.

- Public schools would see an average funding increase of about 1 percent in the first year and 0.3 percent in the second year. That's less than House Democrats wanted for schools but $54 million more than Senate Republicans provided in their latest version of the budget.

- Includes "trigger" mechanism so that if the economy improves and state revenues increase, schools would get a share of that extra cash.

- Includes no limits on charter schools as some Democrats wanted.

- Includes a pilot program for virtual charter schools, to which Democrats had objected, but allows only 200 students the first year and 500 students the second year. That's a smaller group of students than the Senate Republicans recently included in their version of the budget.

- Keeps higher education funding essentially flat by using federal economic stimulus money to fill spending cuts.

- Keeps $1 billion in reserves at the end of the budget cycle as Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels required.

- Includes a plan to help the struggling Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board by allowing the city to raise its hotel tax and possibly other taxes later if the CIB needs more financial help.

- House and Senate leaders hope to vote on the budget plan Tuesday before the current budget expires. If lawmakers don't reach an agreement by midnight Tuesday, most of state government is expected to shut down.

Source: Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville.

[Passed]

Lawmakers pass budget bill before deadline

Indianapolis - Indiana lawmakers have passed a new two-year state budget with just hours to spare before the current spending plan was set to expire.

The Democrat-led House voted 62-36 for the bill, with most of the chamber's 48 Republicans voting for it and most of the 52 Democrats voting against.

The Republican-controlled Senate then voted 34-16 in favor of the plan sending the bill to Gov. Mitch Daniels. Republican leaders say he supports the plan, which would spend an estimated $27.8 billion over two years and protect the state's reserves.

"Like any compromise, this budget has its defects, but it meets the fundamental condition I laid down in January and every day since: to limit total spending enough to preserve our surplus and thereby protect taxpayers against the tax increases happening in virtually every other state," Daniels said in a statement issued Tuesday evening.

Lawmakers faced a midnight Tuesday deadline to pass a new budget or stopgap funding measure to prevent most state government from shutting down. It would have been the first time in 122 years that the Indiana government shut down, and state agencies were preparing to close their doors Wednesday.

Education was a sticking point in the negotiations. The deal allows federal stimulus dollars for higher ed to be used for operating and RR. The speaker had said the Republican budget would cost 4,000 teachers their jobs. Now, he hopes that will be reduced by 40 to 50 percent.

"There's winners and losers, but one thing in the process, I think the 2,000 or more teachers who would have lost their jobs are winners. The 6,000 workers that might have lost their jobs if that retroactive tax had stayed in there are winners. I think a lot of students that are going to college are winners because I think that minus four-percent cut the governor had for higher ed will now help them not increase tuition as much," said House Speaker Pat Bauer (D-South Bend).


The budget, which will take four hours to print, includes a CIB bailout that leaves the board with nine members. Lawmakers adopted a hotel tax now and deferred the car rental and ticket tax to 2013.

"This is a Band-Aid for the Capital Improvement Board. There's gonna have to be some very serious work done by the city and the mayor to revamp that organization. They're gonna have much fewer means to work with. I think the program that was adopted tonight is a good short-term measure but they're going to have to put together a long-term plan to solve the city's problems," said House Minority Leader Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis).



Deal at a glance

A look at some of features of a possible budget deal between Democrats who control the Indiana House and Republicans who control the state Senate, according to Senate Republicans:

- Would spend about $27.8 billion over the two-year budget cycle.

- Public schools would see an average funding increase of about 1 percent in the first year and 0.3 percent in the second year. That's less than House Democrats wanted for schools but $54 million more than Senate Republicans provided in their latest version of the budget.

- Includes "trigger" mechanism so that if the economy improves and state revenues increase, schools would get a share of that extra cash.

- Includes no limits on charter schools as some Democrats wanted.

- Includes a pilot program for virtual charter schools, to which Democrats had objected, but allows only 200 students the first year and 500 students the second year. That's a smaller group of students than the Senate Republicans recently included in their version of the budget.

- Keeps higher education funding essentially flat by using federal economic stimulus money to fill spending cuts.

- Keeps $1 billion in reserves at the end of the budget cycle as Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels required.

- Includes a plan to help the struggling Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board by allowing the city to raise its hotel tax and possibly other taxes later if the CIB needs more financial help.

- House and Senate leaders hope to vote on the budget plan Tuesday before the current budget expires. If lawmakers don't reach an agreement by midnight Tuesday, most of state government is expected to shut down.

Source: Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville.

[nkotbsar]

New Kids on the Block is my favourite band of 90s. NKOTB had so many hit songs! The ones I remember are 'Tonight', 'Baby, I Believe In You' and their hit 'Step By Step'. These are real songs, not fake ones like today! And it is sooo good they have a tour in 2019! And I'm going to visit New Kids on the Block concert in 2019. The concert dates is here: <a href=https://newkidsontheblocktour2019.com>New Kids on the Block tour St. Louis</a>. Click on it and maybe we can even visit one of the performances together!

[BBoyssar]

Backstreet Boys BSB are an American rock band. The band was founded on April 20, 1993 in Orlando, Florida, by Lou Pearlman. Now this is the most successful band with more than 100 million records sold all around the world. The group was named after a flea market in Orlando, the "backstreet flea market". In 2019 BB has more than 50 concerts in the US with their DNA US tour. Check concert dates at <a href=https://backstreetboystourdates.com>Backstreet Boys tour Edmonton</a> page. Full list of tour dates & concerts!

[Carriesar]

Carrie Underwood is my favourite US singer. She is young, beautiful and charming female in her 30s. Her voice takes me away from all problems of this world so I can enjoy my life and listen songs created by her mind. Now the singer is on a Cry Pretty 360 Tour started in May of 2019. The concerts scheduled for the whole 2019, up to the last day of October. Ticket prices are moderate and available for all men and women with different income. If you are a country music lover as me, then you must visit at least one Carrie's concert. All tour dates are available at the <a href=https://carrieunderwoodtour.com>Carrie Underwood tickets</a>. Open the website and make yourself familiar with all powerful Carrie Underwood concerts in 2019!

[JohnnyTed]

I like soul songs! I really do! And my favourite soul band is Johnnyswim! The members Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez are about to perform more than 40 concerts for their fans in 2019 and 2020! To know more about Johnnyswim band in 2019 and 2020 visit website <a href=https://johnnyswimtour.com>Johnnyswim tour</a>. You won't miss concerts by Johnnyswim in 2020 if you visit the link!

[JohnnyTed]

I like pop-folk bands! I really do! And my favourite pop-folk band is Johnnyswim! The members Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez are about to give more than 40 concerts for their fans in 2019 and 2020! To know more about Johnnyswim band in 2019 and 2020 visit site <a href=https://johnnyswimtour.com>Johnnyswim tickets</a>. You aren't going to miss any performance by Johnnyswim in 2019 if you visit the link!

[ChainTed]

I like EDM bands! I really do! And my favourite EDM band is The Cheinsmokers! DJs Alex Pall and Andrew Taggart are about to give more than 50 concerts for their fans in 2019 and 2020! To know more about Chainsmokers band in 2019 visit website <a href=https://chainsmokersconcerts.com>Chainsmokers tour Cincinatti</a>. You aren't going to miss any concert in 2019 if you visit the link!

[Carriesar]

Carrie Underwood is my favourite country singer. She is young, beautiful and charming woman in her 30s. Her voice takes me away from all issues of this world so I start enjoy my life and listen songs created by her. Now the singer is on a Cry Pretty 360 Tour started in May of 2019. The concerts scheduled for the whole 2019, up to the 31st of October. Ticket prices are moderate and available for all men and women with different income. If you love country music as mush as I, then you must visit at least one Carrie's concert. All tour dates are available at the <a href=https://carrieunderwoodconcerts.com>Carrie Underwood tour Greensboro</a>. Open the website and make yourself familiar with all Carrie Underwood concerts in 2019!

[Breaksar]

Breaking Benjamin is my favourite rock-band of 2000s. Breaking Benjamin had so many hits! The ones I remember are 'The Diary of Jane', 'Tourniquet' and, of course their hit 'So Cold'. These are real songs, not garbage like today! And it is awesome that they have a tour in 2019-2020! So I'm going to visit Breaking Benjamin concert this year. The tour dates is here: <a href=https://breakingbenjaminconcerts.com>Breaking Benjamin tour 2020</a>. Open the page and maybe we can even visit one of the concerts together!