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INDIANAPOLIS – It was a jovial beginning to a new legislative session Tuesday as 150 lawmakers – 23 of them new to the House or Senate – met for the ceremonial kickoff called Organization Day.
But amid the shaking of hands and posing for photographs, legislators recognized the tough times they have ahead, mostly in crafting a new two-year state budget.
“I don’t think things could be any more challenging,” said House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend. “We’ve been here before. We can do it again.”
Bauer was officially re-elected to lead the House. Democrats control that chamber 52-48, although one election recount in a House race has been filed. The outcome of that recount would not shift the balance of power.
In the Senate, President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, was also welcomed back to his leadership post by his colleagues. And he had words of encouragement similar to Bauer’s for the 50 members of the Senate.
“It will be a tough one – we know that. There will be disagreements,” he said. “Let’s work hard together and do the best we can.”
Republicans retained control of the Senate by a 33-17 margin.
The biggest challenge for the legislature will be passing a biennial budget when revenue from sales and income taxes has been flat or falling.
And this year – because of property tax changes – legislators have to pay for 100 percent of the operating costs for schools instead of falling back on property taxes as they have in the past.
“It’s going to be a rather excruciating session,” said Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne. “The budget will be as engaging and tough as ever because of the different philosophies.”
And he noted that Democrats “will fight like junkyard dogs” to give increases to Indiana’s K-12 schools.
But Senate Republicans have cautioned that a flat-lined education budget might be necessary.
“I don’t know the answer to that question yet,” said Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville. He will craft his first budget as Senate Appropriations chairman this year although he has been in charge of school funding in the past.
Rep. David Yarde, R-Garrett – one of the new lawmakers – said he is ready to make the hard decisions.
“We need a balanced budget. That’s the first order of business,” he said. “It’s too premature to talk about where the shifts and cuts might come from.”
Gov. Mitch Daniels said he welcomes all the new members to the process, noting they might be more open to change than seasoned veterans.
“There’s a lot of virtue in rookies. At a time when we may have to do some very difficult and dramatic things it might even be easier for a new person who isn’t invested in a given program or way of doing things,” he said. “I could see the new members on both sides making a real contribution.”
The Indiana General Assembly will reconvene Jan. 7, and the session must end by April 29.
nkelly@jg.net
