Hoosier Senate approves 2-year budget bill

Times of Northwest Indiana and wire reports

INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana Senate Republicans have passed their version of a new state budget bill, setting up a special session showdown with the Democrat-led House.

The GOP-ruled Senate passed a two-year budget bill 33-17 on Tuesday. Democrats who control the House already had passed a one-year spending plan.

Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, was the only Democrat to vote for what he called a "mediocre budget." He said the $14 million the spending plan contains to complete Little Calumet River levees was "paramount" in his decision to break party ranks.

The two sides are at odds over several things, including how much to increase spending on public schools and how the money should be doled out.

The Senate plan would increase state school spending by 0.5 percent in each of the next two year, while the House Democrat proposal would raise school spending by about 2 percent over one year.

Lawmakers face a June 30 deadline for passing a new budget before the current one expires.