Senate GOP budget unveiled

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – GOP leaders in the state Senate unveiled their version of the state budget bill Thursday and it was approved by a committee on a party line vote.

The $31.5 billion, 2-year budget bill calls for 2.3 percent increases in school spending in both years. That’s similar to what the House passed earlier.

Changes in the school formula, however, will mean more money for districts that include IPS.

It’s a balanced budget that maintains a surplus of almost $1.9 billion.

Among other things, it includes an additional million dollars for the state tourism department to battle effects of the Boycott Indiana campaign.

It now goes to the full Senate.