Budget compromise still possible

As we approach the June 30 deadline for passing a new state budget, we continue to try to seek common ground on many key issues and evryone is wondering where the Governor has gone. He has not been here to offer his leadership.

I believe that we will have the chance to vote on a budget in the days to come. I am sure that the plan will not contain everything I want to see in the budget. I hope it provides for the needs of our State. I cannot guarantee I will vote for the budget that comes before us unless our children are assured a quality educational opportunity. There is no better way to describe the uncertainty that is going on at the Statehouse these days.

As I write this, House and Senate conferees continue to try to reach an agreement on a new budget. We sure miss the Governor; his presence would be a big help. The debate focuses on two areas that have been huge concerns since the start of the 2009 session: preserving funding for our schools and providing jobs for Hoosier working men and women.

There are serious differences between the budgets that passed out of the House and Senate. The Senate plan does not protect our schools, and it does little or nothing to create jobs.

A healthy school system is important to helping our children become active, productive members of our society; it is our obligation, as elected officials, to support our schools. Cutting state support for our schools does not achieve that goal.

The House budget increases state support for both K-12 and higher education by 2 percent. It protects school systems by ensuring that they do not see a reduction in current funding levels. It allows for the controlled growth of charter schools.

The Senate budget cuts K-12 funding for almost half the schools in the state. It reduces state support for our colleges and universities by 4 percent. These cuts in higher education will cause even greater increases in tuition and fees. This will be a hidden tax on middle income families and an unwarranted burden on students.

One primary reason that the Senate chose to cut state school support was to help the Governor keep the state's surpluses above $1 billion. It is not a difficult choice to make between protecting our schoolchildren and hoarding money.

My vote is for the school children.

Under the House plan, we keep the surplus above $1 billion, avoid a tax increase, and assure that schools do not see less funding than they receive now. I believe that every child is entitled to an opportunity to succeed, not just a select few who happen to live in affluent areas.

Our children here in Greene, Martin, Lawrence, Washington and Orange Counties deserve as much support and encouragement as those who live in Carmel or Greenwood.

With Indiana's unemployment rate soaring to 10.6 percent in May, we now have more than 336,000 Hoosiers who are looking for work so they can provide for their families.

The House plan would provide jobs through a series of capital projects at our colleges and universities, as well as a large-scale local road and bridge improvement program that can put people to work now and address serious local infrastructure needs. These are not just "make work" projects. These improvements are necessary.

While school funding and job creation are two major points of concern, there are other areas where the Senate budget creates potential problems. Here are just a couple of examples: cuts in funding for Indiana's prescription drug program and reduced support for community health centers.

These all are points that should be a part of negotiations over the budget. I supported a House budget that kept our reserves above $1 billion, and did not increase taxes.

If there is a willingness to negotiate on both sides, then we can reach an agreement.

Indiana has traditionally shown that legislators on both sides of the aisle can set aside partisanship and work to protect the people of this state. In recent years, we have worked together to pass comprehensive plans that have reduced property taxes and started the reforms in our state's unemployment insurance fund.

In that light, it is disappointing to see some lawmakers advance a plan (Senate Bill 1) that would keep state government in operation past June 30 through continuing funding resolutions, which are often used by Congress when it can't get its budget work done on time.

There are many reasons why this idea is wrong for Indiana. It puts complete control of the government's purse strings in the hands of the Governor. It allows lawmakers to avoid the kinds of tough decisions that we promised to make. Finally, it brings all of the worst habits of Washington, D.C., to Indiana.

We have time to complete our work. We are ready and willing to compromise between the House and Senate versions of the budget. However, it is extremely difficult to talk to people who are unwilling to listen, who are so invested in their own agendas, that they refuse to consider other points of view. I want to see government stay in operation, but everyone must do their job.

Rep. Sandy Blanton can be reached by calling the toll-free Statehouse telephone number of 1-800-382-9842,or write the Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, or submitting comments to her website at h62.in.gov.