Indiana

Morning Update

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I’m at the Statehouse this morning waiting on the Senate to do a vote on tax caps.  Here’s some good political news I’ve managed to pick up so far.

The Indiana State Teacher’s Association unveiled a plan this morning they say will make state budget cuts to education unnecessary.  It calls on school districts to spend their cash balances down to eight percent in excess of their funds. Spend up to 50 percent of their rainy day funds.  Eliminate funding for virtual charter schools and tax credits for private schools.  It allows up to 5 percent of  a school district’s Capital Projects fund levy to be transferred to the operations levy; current law allows about 3.5 percent.  And it requires schools to transfer up to 5 percent of non-education overhead to classroom instruction.  A spokesman for Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett says they welcome ISTA to the discussion, but Indiana should not be doing anything to limit choice amongst students.

Indianapolis Mayoral candidate Brian Williams disclosed today his campaign ended 2009 with $100,000 in cash on hand.

Hamilton County Democrats put out a news release today announcing that Dr. Nasser Hanna, a cancer physician,  will be declaring his candidacy for Congress in the 5th Congressional District next Wednesday.

More later today.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on January 19, 2010 (boomark / email).