Supporting Hoosier taxpayers with a Balanced Budget Amendment

By: 
State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem)

In recent years, Indiana has been blessed with fiscal responsibility and honestly balanced budgets. The Indiana General Assembly has worked hard to ensure our state lives within our means, and we do not spend more than we take in. We have operated within our budget for more than a decade, and we were recently ranked in the top 10 best states for fiscal stability by U.S. News and World Report. This stability encourages businesses to grow and expand here and benefits employers and employees alike.

To ensure our state continues down a fiscally responsible path well into the future, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution 7 in 2017. SJR 7 gave Hoosiers the opportunity to vote to amend Indiana’s Constitution to require lawmakers to balance each state budget while fully funding our pension obligations. On Election Day 2018, Hoosiers voted overwhelmingly in support of this amendment, which appeared on the ballot as “Indiana Public Question 1.”

Before the passage of this amendment, a simple majority of legislators could approve a budget that spends more than it takes in or fails to fund our state’s pensions. Under this amendment, a more stringent two-thirds vote will be required to pass a budget that isn’t balanced.

While we have had strong, fiscally responsible leadership in recent years, that may not always be the case. By amending our State Constitution, we will protect taxpayers for years and generations to come. Hoosiers have come to expect nothing less than fiscal responsibility, and a balanced budget is vital to maintaining a successful economy.

I am proud to have supported SJR 7 in 2017, and am thankful that the Public Question received such overwhelming support. Protecting Hoosier taxpayers will remain one of my top priorities as I continue to serve as your State Senator in the upcoming budget session, and beyond.

If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this topic or others, please contact me by email at Senator.Houchin@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.

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