Ind. Senate OKs budget increasing school funding:
Updated: Thursday, 21 Apr 2011, 2:52 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 21 Apr 2011, 2:19 PM EDT
DEANNA MARTIN, Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A $28 billion budget proposal that has cleared the Indiana Senate includes modest increases in school funding without raising taxes.
The Republican-ruled Senate voted 36-14 for the bill, which does not include a taxpayer refund provision that GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels wants. Under the bill, any excess state revenues would be directed instead to unfunded pension liabilities, not returned to taxpayers.
The budget also contains a contentious plan to allow $1,000-a-day fines against boycotting legislators, It follows a five-week walkout this session by House Democrats who are in the minority in that chamber.
Democratic senators said the right to boycott is a crucial protection for the minority. They want the provision removed as budget negotiations between the House and Senate continue next week.
http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/indiana/ind-senate-oks-budget-increasing-school-funding--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ind. Senate OKs most expansive voucher plan in US:
Updated: Thursday, 21 Apr 2011, 4:44 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 21 Apr 2011, 11:53 AM EDT
DEANNA MARTIN, Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Senate has approved a plan to create the nation's most expansive school voucher program.
The Republican-ruled Senate voted 28-22 Thursday to advance the bill, which is the most contentious part of GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels' extensive education agenda. The bill allows parents to use some of the tax dollars that would normally be sent to public schools at private schools instead.
Families of four making up to about $60,000 a year would qualify. The program would be limited to a fraction of the state's students — just 7,500 for the first year and 15,000 in the second — a fraction of the state's approximately 1 million students....
More:
http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/indiana/ind-senate-oks-most-expansive-voucher-plan-in-us---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate could vote on school voucher plan Thursday:
pdated: Thursday, 21 Apr 2011, 10:35 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 21 Apr 2011, 10:35 AM EDT
DEANNA MARTIN, Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Republican-ruled Indiana Senate is nearing a vote on a plan to create the nation's most expansive school voucher program.
Republican Sen. Dennis Kruse of Auburn says he hopes to call a vote Thursday on the bill, which is the most controversial part of GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels' extensive education agenda. It would allow parents to use some of the tax money that would normally be sent to public schools at private schools instead.
The program uses a sliding scale based on income, with families of four making up to about $60,000 a year qualifying.
Supporters say vouchers give families more education options, while opponents say they siphon money from public schools.
If approved by the Senate, the bill would next return to the House for consideration of Senate changes.
http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/indiana/senate-could-vote-on-school-voucher-plan-thursday-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It pains to say I live in this fucking state.