STATEHOUSE (July 1, 2009) - I am pleased we avoided a needless government shutdown that would have been devastating for tens of thousands of Hoosiers, and I am very pleased we did it by passing a responsible budget Tuesday.
All 48 House Republicans were included in the 62 "Yes" votes for the budget; the vote was 34-16 in the Senate.
Not only is it a solid budget for the entire state - especially in terms of education and responsible spending - it is good for House District 72 and Southern Indiana.
The budget creates the Ohio River Bridges Project Commission, an important step in completing this long-awaited joint effort between Indiana and Kentucky.
This budget is built on solid Republican core principles, and I am proud to have contributed to it.
New Education and Technology Building for Indiana University Southeast
I fought hard to include bonding authority for a new $22 million education and technology building at Indiana University Southeast. The 90,500-square-foot building will include expanded space for current and future programs of the School of Education and the Purdue College of Technology.
IUS is one of our region's greatest assets, and the new Education and Technology Building will provide much-needed classroom and laboratory space. The building continues and enhances the longstanding partnership between IUS and Purdue. It's a great partnership that benefits everyone.
I fought for this building since before the regular session started. I wasn't sure whether it would happen, given the tough economic times. I kept bringing it up at every opportunity. When the list of university capital projects was under discussion over the weekend, I seized the opportunity.
This building makes sense. It's the right building for right now. IUS is at capacity and needs this space. Construction of the building will create jobs, and the new classrooms and labs will prepare people for jobs."
School of Education facilities will include:
Both the education and technology sections would have office space for faculty and administration.
The facility will prepare the College of Education and the Purdue College of Technology for their anticipated enrollment growth because of program expansion. The project is listed among Indiana University's top projects for 2009 through 2011.
Tax Savings for Homebuyers
Hoosier homebuyers will receive additional time to file for property tax deductions, thanks to my efforts to include in the budget a provision that extends to Jan. 5 the time for filing for deductions. This will save most homeowners up to $1,000 or more per year.
This change will make a big difference for homebuyers who were left out by the old system.
In 2008, the General Assembly changed the law to make property tax deductions available on a calendar-year basis. The change did not make allowance for real estate closings that occur at the end of the year. Depending on the timing of the closing, paperwork might not be filed at the courthouse until the beginning of January, causing the homebuyer to miss out on deductions for the year in which the home was purchased, leading to a much higher tax bill.
Everyone understands it usually takes a few days for paperwork to get to the courthouse. Homebuyers who happen to close at the end of the year shouldn't be penalized.
I pushed for the measure throughout the regular session, only to see it die on the last day when House Bill 1447, which included the provision, did not receive a vote. I raised the issue again in the special session and worked to get the language included in the budget.
Most homeowners are eligible to receive homestead and mortgage deductions, and some qualify for additional deductions. Depending on the assessed value of the property and the tax rate, the savings can be substantial, ranging from hundreds of dollars to $1,000 or more in areas with higher tax rates.
For many homebuyers, this change will mean a savings of $100 or more per month. At a time when many homeowners are struggling to keep their homes, we need to be doing everything we can to make home ownership as affordable as possible.
In its original form, Rep. Clere's measure would have extended the deadline to Jan. 31. That was later changed to Jan. 5 to reduce the additional burden on local officials.
This grace period ensures that homebuyers who close at the end of the year will have a chance to receive deductions. I am pleased we were able to protect taxpayers and do it in a way that doesn't create an additional burden for local officials.
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