Lawmakers Take A Day To Tie Up Session Loose Ends

Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 8:13 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

Five bills were passed during a one-day special session at the Indiana Statehouse.

Indiana Statehouse

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Indiana lawmakers were able to get in, get it done, and get out Monday.

Five pieces of legislation were passed in the Indiana House and Senate during a one-day special legislative session. The bills had not received final passage as the GOP-led legislature failed to pass them before the bell rang on the regular 2018 legislative session last March.

Lawmakers approved $5 million in new funding for the Indiana Secured School Grant Program. Two of the bills dealt with revising the state tax code to meet changes in federal tax laws. Another approved bill will allow Ball State University take over Muncie schools.

Governor Eric Holcomb signed the bills into law Monday afternoon.

“Today, Indiana lawmakers aligned state and federal tax law to streamline the process for Hoosier families and businesses, provided more funding to support schools in need, and improved school safety statewide—all in one day as planned,” Holcomb said.

Statehouse Democrats say Monday's session was an unnecessary, face-saving move by supermajority Republicans. House Democratic Leader Terry Gooding (D-Austin) said everything addressed Monday could have been handled through administrative action or enacted retroactively next year.

“We are here because a few special interests demanded it,” said Goodin. “It continues to amaze me that the Republicans want to enjoy all the advantages of having a supermajority…except when they screw up. They are more than willing to take all the credit, but much more eager to shift the blame.”

Democrats have harped on the estimated $30,000 cost of the single day special session. Most lawmakers pledged to donate their salary for the day to charity.

Also on Monday, Senate Republicans voted Senator Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) to become the new Senate President Pro Tem. Current Senate President David Long announced earlier this year that he will retire in November.

“Rod Bray is a strong selection to lead the Indiana Senate,” Holcomb said of Bray’s selection by the caucus. “He’s smart, disciplined, well-respected and a good listener. He brings both the experience and insight necessary to become the next great leader of the Senate. I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”