2022 legislative session begins

This week, the Indiana General Assembly reconvened for the 2022 legislative session.

This year, Indiana Senate Republicans are prioritizing returning money to Hoosier taxpayers, stabilizing school funding and responsibly ending the public health emergency.

When Indiana closed out fiscal year 2021, our state’s high reserves triggered an automatic taxpayer refund, which will send $545 million back to hardworking Hoosier taxpayers and $545 million to state pension obligations. Senate Bill 1 would ensure more Hoosiers receive that refund by expanding the number of Hoosiers who qualify for it.

Next, Senate Bill 2 would ensure schools receive full funding for children who were considered virtual students during the fall of 2021 due to quarantine. State law dictates that schools receive 85% of the regular foundation funding amount for students who receive at least half of their education virtually. This legislation would provide schools full funding for those students who had to learn virtually due to COVID-19.

Finally, several issues need to be addressed through legislation in order for the public health emergency to be ended in Indiana. Senate Bill 3 would ensure Indiana can continue receiving certain federal benefits and hold voluntary community vaccination clinics. At present, those items are made possible through executive orders from the governor.

I look forward to working with my fellow members of the General Assembly to continue making Indiana a great place to live, work and raise a family. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the legislative session, feel free to contact me at [email protected].

– $35.2 Million Awarded to Accelerate Student Learning

Made possible through legislation passed by the General Assembly, the Indiana Department of Education recently announced an additional $35.2 million in grant funds are being awarded to 123 community partners and schools across the state.

These awards are funded through the second round of Indiana’s Student Learning Recovery Grant Program, which initially distributed more than $122 million over the summer. This funding will continue to accelerate student learning in literacy, mathematics and college and career readiness to help combat the negative effects of the pandemic.

Sen. Phil Boots represents Montgomery, Fountain, Parke, Vermillion and Warren counties and a portion of Boone County. He is one of the shareholders of The Paper of Montgomery County.