INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Senate began its budget hearing process today, receiving presentations from the Indiana House Republicans, public universities and the Indiana Supreme Court. State Senator David Niezgodski (D-South Bend) issued the following statement regarding the budget discussions:

“Today marks the first day of the Senate’s work on the state’s budget of more than $46 billion over the biennium,” Niezgodski said. “I am pleased to begin this process, but I remain deeply concerned about the Governor’s proposed budget, which removes funding for priority capital projects at our public universities. Without this funding, universities are left to prioritize only the most essential repairs, limiting their ability to grow and improve.”

Niezgodski emphasized the importance of Indiana’s higher education sector and its role in economic development, noting that students from across the country choose Indiana universities, contributing to the state’s economy and workforce.

“Our higher education system is one of Indiana’s most valuable assets, and we need to prioritize this every chance we get, especially during legislative budgetary sessions,” Niezgodski said. “We must do all that we can to ensure our public universities remain nationally competitive. Providing Hoosiers with strong higher education options will create more opportunities for students after high school and strengthen our state’s workforce.”

House Bill 1001, outlining the House of Representatives’ budget proposal, will be presented to the committee over the next several days, highlighting key financial priorities. The Senate Democratic Caucus has focused on three main priorities that Hoosiers have expressed, including housing, health care and education.

Niezgodski expressed his commitment to working on the bill in committee as the legislative session progresses.

“I look forward to further discussions as we continue our budget hearings in the second half of the session,” Niezgodski said. “I will work to ensure that Hoosiers’ voices are heard throughout the budget process, advocating for a budget that allows our communities to grow and thrive.”