New state laws supporting Hoosiers and backed by State Representative Jake Teshka (R-North Liberty) during the 2023 legislative session are now in effect.
“We made strong investments in our students’ K-12 education and supported families by eliminating curricular fees,” said Teshka, a member of the House Education Committee. “More Hoosier students will qualify for the state’s school choice program, which empowers parents by giving them opportunities to find the right school for their child.”
Most legislation passed during the recent session took effect at the beginning of the state’s new fiscal year on July 1.
Under that state’s newly passed state budget, taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. Teshka said thanks to the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027. Indiana’s K-12 spending makes up about half of the state’s $44.6 billion budget, and lawmakers supported increasing student funding by 10% over the next two years. Through a substantial expansion of school choice, nearly all Hoosier families will be able to send their children to the school that best meets their needs. In addition, parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees.
Teshka also highlighted the following new laws:
Providing Tax Relief for HomeownersProperty tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, the state took action to provide about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
Keeping Politics Out of PensionsIndiana’s public pension system will keep its focus exclusively on maximizing returns, and not favor environmental, social, and governance factors commonly referred to as ESG. Teshka, who co-authored the law, said unfortunately, ESG investing can exclude American and Hoosier industries like fossil fuels and firearms and could hurt workers.
Maintaining Election SecurityTo ensure the absentee vote-by-mail process is as secure as voting in person when submitting an absentee ballot application, voters will need to include a form of ID, like the last four digits of their Social Security number and either a driver’s license number, state ID number or voter registration number. Voters can also submit a photocopy of their driver’s license or an ID card for non-drivers.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about these and other new state laws now in effect.
