The first thing Indiana lawmakers need to do when they gather today is to pass a measure extending the current budget for as long as it takes them to hammer out an agreement on a new spending plan.
It’s bad enough that the Legislature finds itself having to convene for a special session. It will be even worse if the session drags on at a cost to taxpayers of $12,000 a day. But it will be a travesty if partisan wrangling keeps lawmakers from adopting a budget in time to avoid a shutdown of state government at the beginning of July.
We had hope last week when Gov. Mitch Daniels unveiled a two-year spending plan and lawmakers convened a bipartisan effort aimed at reaching agreement in time for the start of the special session.
That hope quickly faded, though, when House Democrats walked out of the committee meeting and pledged to formulate their own spending plan. They unveiled that plan on Tuesday, and the differences are significant.
The governor’s plan would give schools an overall average increase of 2 percent over the next two years, but Democrats complain that it would give much more to growing suburban districts while cutting funding to many poor urban and rural districts with declining enrollments.
Democrats are calling for a one-year budget they say would give schools a statewide average spending increase of 2 percent and guarantee that all districts get as much or more money in the next year as they got this year.
The Democratic plan leaves $1 billion in the bank at the end of the first year. The governor’s plan leaves that at the end of two years.
It seems likely that House Democrats will pass their one-year spending plan and that the Senate will amend that plan to look more like the two-year budget put forward by the governor.
The two sides then will be forced to work out their differences before they can pass a budget to be signed by the governor.
Our hope is that won’t take as long as we fear, but just in case, lawmakers should approve a continuing resolution to keep at least essential state services operating beyond the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.
No one will benefit from a prolonged political fight. Allowing state government to shut down in the midst of it would simply add insult to injury.
– Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, and Kokomo Tribune
Opinion
This might take a while
- Opinion
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White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.
Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.
Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.
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Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.
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If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.
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Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’
The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:
“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.
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Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.
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Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.
Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
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Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.
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Heinig: ‘Right-to-work’ law to arouse continued resistance
I wouldn’t call Gov. Mitch Daniels a charismatic leader, but he does possess some leadership skills. If he didn’t, he couldn’t have brought us this far along the happy trail to his economic Valhalla.
- More Opinion Headlines
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White shouldn’t return to office
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