Representative Jeff Espich (District 82) has been a member of the Indiana House of Representatives since 1972, representing Allen, Wells, and Grant Counties.  In over three decades of public service, Representative Espich has served as Speaker Pro Tempore, Chairman of the House Labor Committee, Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.  Currently, Representative Espich serves as the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee and works closely with legislation that involves state tax and finance.

While serving as Chairman of House Ways and Means during the 114th General Assembly, Representative Espich authored and passed Indiana’s first balanced biennial state budget in over a decade.  Representative Espich’s initiative to promote fiscal responsibility led to limitations on spending that produced a balanced budget and an operating surplus of $371 million. Thanks to this fiscal leadership, Indiana was able to repay $500 million in debt it owed to Indiana K-12 schools. 

In addition to the balanced budget, Representative Espich worked on legislation during the 2006 legislative session that led to providing over $2 billion in Property Tax Replacement Credits (PTRCs) to local government.  This was more property tax relief than ever before – a $52 million increase over the previous budget.  This additional relief provided an average net property tax growth of zero percent for Hoosier homeowners in 2006.

In addition to his leadership on the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Espich also serves as Chairman of the State Budget Committee, which is responsible for the oversight of state appropriations and developing budget recommendations to submit to the governor.

Outside of the Statehouse, Representative Espich keeps busy as a self-employed small businessman.  He serves as the Director of the State Bank of Markle and is also a member of the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. 

Representative Espich is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Indiana University School of Business Administration. A father and a grandfather, Representative Espich and his family reside in Uniondale, Indiana where they are members of the Uniondale United Methodist Church

Indiana House of Representatives: 1972-Present

House District 82: Indiana House District 82 is located in the northeast portion of Indiana and includes: Van Buren Township in Grant County, Lafayette Township in Allen County and the townships of Chester, Harrison, Jackson, Liberty, Nottingham, Rockcreek and Union in Wells County.

Committees:
Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee
State Budget Committee

Address: 1250 W. Hancock St., Box 158, Uniondale, IN 46791

Telephone:

800-382-9841 in Indianapolis

Professional Experience:
Self-employed small businessman

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Indiana University School of Business Administration

Military: U.S. Army Veteran

Community Activities:

Member of the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

Board Member, State Bank of Markle

Uniondale Volunteer Fire Department

Uniondale United Methodist Church

Government Service:

United States Army Veteran (1965-1966)

Member of the Indiana House of Representatives since 1972

Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee (7/1996-11/1996, 11/2004-11/2006)

Member of the Citizens’ Commission on Taxes (3/1997-12/1998)

House Speaker Pro Tempore (1985-1990, 1995-1996)

House Assistant Minority Leader (1993-1994)

House Minority Whip (1991-1992)

Chairman of House Commerce Committee (1980-1984)

Chairman of House Labor Committee (1978-1979)

Member of House Courts and Criminal Code (1995-1996)

Member of House Insurance, Corporations and Small Business (1995-1996)