Lawmakers pass budget at the deadline

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – State lawmakers are on the way home following the conclusion of the 2015 General Assembly.

It ended right at the midnight deadline in the Indiana House with a final vote on a new two-year state budget that increases overall funding for schools. Republicans wrote it.

“We live within our means, we mean that,” said Rep. Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville.) “We protect taxpayers, we have adequate reserves, we have a structural surplus and we plan for the future.”

Democrats argued that 137 school districts will actually lose money.

“The governor said this was going to be an education session,” said Rep. Greg Porter (D-Indianapolis.) “Unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, it devolved into a RFRA session and now, from the budget we present today, it’s going to be a RIF session.”

The House vote on the budget was 69-to-30. The state Senate earlier voted 40-to-9.