INDIANAPOLIS— Tonight, the Indiana Senate passed the biennial state budget. State Senator Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee and made the following statement on the passage of the budget:

“Budgets are about priorities, and the priorities of this final budget are misaligned with Hoosier priorities. This budget prioritizes the wealthy and powerful over the poor and marginalized. It gives 40%-60% pay raises to the Governor and other statewide elected officials yet gives no 13th check or cost of living adjustment to retired teachers, first responders, and state employees. It gives wealthy families who earn close to a quarter million dollars annually state funded tuition for private schools while denying the opportunity for families earning more than $45K to send their children to a state funded pre-K. It appropriates about $500 million that will be directed to private schools to educate 55,000-95,000 students while underfunds one million public school students by appropriating over $800 million over the biennium. In Senate District 30, Pike and Washington Township schools will be negatively impacted by -0.1% and -.5% reductions in funding in FY 2025.” 

“This budget does not adequately address property tax relief for hardworking Hoosier families, especially those on a fixed income such as veterans and senior citizens; does not increase funding for local infrastructure; does not fully fund mental or public health needs at a time when Hoosiers are living through a mental and public health crisis; does not fund expanding affordable housing options; and does not address gun violence and violent crimes in Indiana.”

“Unfortunately, this budget is full of missed opportunities to deliver for Hoosiers, especially given the more than $4 billion of combined balances in state coffers. We have the resources to do more. Unfortunately, Hoosiers’ quality of life, education, and healthcare outcomes will continue to lag behind the rest of the country with this budget. As a fiscally responsible legislator, I will continue to advocate for balanced budgets, reasonable surplus, and paying down debt while investing strategically in improving the quality of life for all Hoosiers.”