State Rep. Ed DeLaney responds to Indiana’s April revenue forecast

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) today released the following statement about Indiana’s April revenue forecast. The new forecast increases revenue projections by more than $2 billion over the next several years. 

“We have a moral and legal obligation to use public revenues responsibly and with an eye to the future,” DeLaney said. “The majority is facing a dilemma: it can use the large sums available to the State from our own taxes and from Washington to make new investments or it can tuck the money away for some unknown future catastrophe. Early payoffs of existing and affordable debt is not a vision. It is a way to avoid making new, forward-looking investments as in teacher pay. It is difficult for the majority to turn from preaching poverty to building future opportunities, but that is the price of being in charge. 

“I do not believe that it is responsible planning to take hundreds of millions of dollars of state revenue to invest in untried programs like a re-named regional cities effort. The creation of reserves for capital totaling $350 million is an indication of a failure of imagination. Do we not need revamped State Parks and new trails? Can we not help IU modernize our State teaching hospital or Purdue to build a nursing training facility? What is our plan for the capital investment funds coming from the American Rescue Plan? Will we not expand the number of residencies for our medical students? Are we prepared to support new infrastructure investment proposed by the President?

“Today’s fiscal report showed that our low-wage workers are not sharing in prosperity. Can’t we establish a decent wage for our State employees and direct care workers that will provide a living wage and a stable workforce?

“How can we justify taxing our citizens on unemployment benefits received in a crisis? Washington won’t do that. Does the majority not appreciate the struggles of hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers who were unemployed in 2020? 

“As a lawyer, I would be remiss if I did not caution you about intruding the legislature into the resolution of the opioid litigation. 

“Finally, I must ask: What is the rush to adopt a budget before the usual April 29 deadline? We don’t know the rules on the federal money coming our way. How much will we receive? What will be the strings attached to the money? What will we get in the way of grants? Will we give the public time to comment on our newfound funds? 

“I thank you for the invitation to send comments and will be happy to discuss my concerns with you.”

DeLaney submitted a version of this statement to Statehouse budget leaders for open testimony.