Indiana State Senator Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon) released a statement Thursday regarding the conclusion of the 2019 legislative session.
“Since January, my colleagues and I have been discussing important issues facing our state and working to find the most effective and efficient solutions.
“One of our top priorities was to fund a balanced budget that supports Hoosiers. We accomplished this task and designated over 50% of our General Fund to education. Our schools will see a $763 million increase in K-12 funding over the next two years, including funds to be used for school safety grants.
“In addition to funding our schools, measures were put in the budget that will directly impact our local community. Purdue University will be receiving $73 million to help fund their veterinary department as well as $60 million to build an engineering building. As a leader in agriculture and engineering, Purdue University is an excellent resource for our state, and it’s important we assist them in educating young professionals.
“The budget will also continue to fund public mass transportation at $45 million per year. This is vital to businesses in our area and the state’s economic environment.
“Along with passing another balanced budget, several pieces of legislation I helped develop passed the General Assembly, including my work on property tax breaks for businesses.
“Because the federal government gives businesses a tax break by allowing them to claim more of their expenses in the first year their property is put into use, I authored Senate Bill 624, which would have aligned Indiana tax payers to the federal government standard. This measure would have permitted them to receive these same tax benefits, encouraging Indiana businesses to invest in their future.
“The language of SB 624 was placed into House Enrolled Act 1427, which deals with local government matters, and Senate Enrolled Act 565, which addresses various income tax matters. I’m pleased to see the wording of SB 624 passed in these two bills, providing Hoosier businesses with some support.
“I’m proud of the improvements we made this session and am eager to see the positive impact the legislation passed during the 2019 session will have on Hoosier communities.”