Record Funding For Schools And More

Partnering with parents to educate and prepare the next generation of Hoosiers is one of the most important obligations of state government.

Our new state budget, which invests a historic $2.9 billion in new K-12 funding, reflects this fact. The new money includes a $1.5 billion increase in student funding, 62% of which will go toward teacher pay and benefits.

The budget also:

Eliminates textbook and technology fees for Hoosier families with children in public schools, saving families up to $160 million per year. (As a father to three students in public schools, I am particularly excited about this one!)

Provides an additional $11 million for Secured School Safety Grants to ensure Hoosier schools are kept safe and secure.

Expands eligibility for Indiana’s Choice Scholarship program. I consider myself a strong supporter of public schools because those are the schools that most families choose, but even the best public school will not be the right fit for every child in a community. I want parents to make those decisions based on education issues rather than financial ones. This expansion does just that by allowing every child to attend the school that best fits his or her unique learning needs.

Providing great educational opportunities is critical to our state’s long-term success, which is why I was happy to support these funding increases in our new state budget. To learn more, click here.

Going forward, we need to do more to support high-quality early childhood education in our state. In fact, I met with leaders in Parke County today to discuss just that, and I look forward to more conversations with other leaders around the district in the near future.

INDOT Update for Senate District 23

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) recently implemented restrictions on State Road 59 near Waveland.

On Tuesday, a bridge maintenance project started on State Road 59 between State Road 236 and County Road 350 North.

INDOT also recently announced restrictions on US 36 between State Road 59 and Old 36 Road near Raccoon Lake in Parke County would begin as soon as Tuesday, June 6 for bridge maintenance work.

Motorists are asked to slow down and use caution when traveling through work zones.

For updates on major road projects in Indiana, click here.

Medicaid Redetermination Process

The most recent federal spending bill ended expanded Medicaid coverage protections, which means Indiana Medicaid is returning to normal operations. This may impact Hoosiers who were added to Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is currently in the redetermination process for folks on Medicaid. This process will run from now through April 2024. Below is how you can update your information.

• Go to FSSABenefits.IN.gov
• Scroll to “Manage Your Benefits” section
• Click on either “Sign in to my account” or “Create account”
• Check that your contact information is accurate
• Call 800-403-0864 if you need assistance
• Then watch your mail and respond with any information requested of you

-Spencer Deery is a Senator that serves District 23 which includes the counties of Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Warren and portions of Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.