Session's key issues
Here's a look at some of the top issues that Indiana lawmakers will tackle during 2013's four-month legislative session:

Budget

How to divide about $29 billion up over two years is the question, as Republican budget-writers pick their top priorities out of options that include K-12 education, public universities, health programs like Medicaid, and more.

Tax cuts

Gov.-elect Mike Pence wants to reduce the state's income tax from 3.4 percent to 3.06 percent. Other lawmakers want to speed up the nine-year phase-out of Indiana's inheritance tax. Still others would prefer to just pump the money into education, transportation and more.

Health care

Now that President Barack Obama's health care law is here to stay, Indiana must decide whether to expand its Medicaid program as that law envisioned. Even if not, the state will have new Medicaid costs to absorb, according to its actuary's analysis.

Gay marriage

After taking the first step toward amending a ban on gay marriage, civil unions or anything like them into Indiana's constitution in 2011, lawmakers could take their second step in 2013 by passing the same measure in both chambers again. If they do so, voters will get the final say in a November 2012 referendum.

Workforce development

Gov.-elect Mike Pence and legislative leaders all say they want to improve technical and vocational education in Indiana's high schools – a move aimed at addressing what has become a shortage of workers to fill many of the state's job openings.

Transportation

Money from outgoing Gov. Mitch Daniels' "Major Moves" deal is drying up, leaving Indiana in the same spot as 49 other states: Struggling to fund infrastructure through traditional gas tax revenues. Lawmakers will start looking for a comprehensive solution to that problem.

Pre-kindergarten

While Indiana only recently started providing full state funding for all-day kindergarten, some lawmakers are seeking to launch a state-funded pre-kindergarten program, as well. It could look something like their voucher program for older students.
As they christened a new four-month session at the Statehouse on Monday, Indiana lawmakers announced a quick start on education issues.

A House panel will look at higher education funding, while a Senate committee will consider expanding the state's voucher program – all starting before Gov.-elect Mike Pence is sworn in next week.

Those early items come as legislative leaders start the year with pledges of across-the-aisle cooperation and a mutual commitment to improving Indiana's workforce.

Pence has called for improved high school vocational and technical education programs, and both House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said that will be a top priority.

"We have to create the situation and the environment where jobs can be created and jobs can be retained so that we can get all Hoosiers working again," said Rep. Bill Friend of Macy, the No. 2 House Republican.

"There are pockets in this state where unemployment – we get really happy if it gets under 10 percent. That's not good enough, folks."

House Minority Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, said he'd like to see "enlightened restraint" from majority Republicans, as well as a two-year moratorium on divisive social issues.

"It's the middle class's turn," he said. "They are the economic engine of this state. They are the reason that lights are on at local businesses."

Pelath said the House should "fix the Tony Bennett mistakes" in K-12 education – a reference to the just-ousted Republican state superintendent of public instruction. He said the state should increase funding for the "overwhelming majority of kids who attend traditional public schools."

Bosma said education funding will be a top priority for Republicans, too, as they craft the state's next budget.

The education issues will be the topics of committee hearings this week.

The House Ways and Means Committee, which will begin the process of writing a new two-year budget expected to carry a total price tag of about $29 billion, is calling university presidents in for meetings that will start Wednesday.

After four years of belt-tightening, leaders such as University of Southern Indiana President Linda Bennett, who will appear Thursday morning, are hoping the new spending plan will include more money for higher education.

The Senate Education and Career Development Committee, meanwhile, is tackling bills that would expand Indiana's private school voucher program and give new flexibility to top-performing public schools.

Currently, Indiana's voucher law requires recipients to first spend at least a year in public school. A measure by Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, would allow those students' siblings to qualify for vouchers without making those public-school stops first.

Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, is pushing a bill that would allow schools with high graduation rates, Advanced Placement exam scores and more to restructure their school calendars, make more curriculum decisions and design their own teacher evaluations.
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