Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

April revenue forecast predicts more money for IN than thought in December

A new revenue forecast predicts even stronger tax revenue growth for Indiana over the next two years. However, House and Senate fiscal leaders say it will not dramatically alter budget negotiations.

The April revenue forecast unveiled Tuesday shows a $290 million increase from December projections, with the biggest predicted gains coming from individual income taxes.

Senate Appropriations Chair Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville) says the new forecast is good news but cautioned against reading too much into it as budget negotiations progress over the next two weeks.

“I don’t think one revenue forecast changes the dynamic too much except that it makes us feel a little more comfortable, obviously.”

Kenley and his House counterpart Tim Brown (R-Crawfordsville) say tax cuts in the budget will likely amount to around $500 million a year.  But they say that will be a mix of cuts, including the corporate tax, inheritance tax and income tax.

Governor Mike Pence’s proposed tax cut would cost the state $500 million per year just in income taxes.  Still, Pence says the new revenue projections indicate the state can have a budget that increases education and roads funding while providing across-the-board tax relief.

“I believe that lowering income taxes by ten percent is the right thing to do and with a revenue forecast that projects $290 million more than we anticipated, I believe that it is fiscally prudent to do.”

Pence also says phasing out the state’s inheritance tax should be part of the final budget.  Eliminating the inheritance tax, which the Senate’s budget does, would cost $150 million a year.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
Related Content