Lawmakers return to Statehouse for 2015 session, pledge cooperation

INDIANAPOLIS — Legislators gathered in both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly for the first time in 2015, agreeing the main theme throughout the session will be a greater commitment to education in the state.

House Minority Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, along with Senate President Pro-Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, and House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, directed the conversation to education funding.


“My goal is to have our education funding in the current biennium exceed the prior biennium,” Bosma said. “Given the forecast, I think it gives us the room to do so.”

Calling this an “education session,” Long said he plans to examine various ways the legislature can help students, teachers and families achieve academic success.

Long outlined the education issues he will focus on during this session, which include increasing funding for K-12 education, giving teachers more freedom in the classroom and better pay, improving State Board of Education effectiveness, turning around failing schools, and supporting school choice.

Pelath also explained his push to make kindergarten mandatory for all children, especially in light of the newly launched pre-K pilot program, which is launching this year.

Lawmakers agreed that proper funding and access to education could advance Indiana to the next level.

“My number one priority is to fund K-12 schools adequately,” Long said.

Pelath explained his goals for higher education, saying that it must become more affordable and predictable.

“Every citizen, from pre-school to retirement, deserves a fair opportunity to reach his or her potential through hard work,” Pelath said. “When a Hoosier begins paying for an adult education, let the price remain the same until the degree is finished.”

Because 2015 is a budget year, lawmakers will also tackle education funding – and Democrats are pushing to separate the money earmarked to public schools and private vouchers, as well as charter schools. Democrats want the funding for each reviewed separately.

In addition to an education discussion, House members focused their energy on open communication between parties.

Pelath said that the historic task of the minority party is to help, critique and provide alternatives.

“This (working together) is what distinguishes us from Washington, where they cannot even join together even in matters of broad consensus,” Pelath said.

House Majority Floor Leader Jud McMillin, R-Brookville, responded to Pelath’s comments. “We realize that not all great ideas come from one side of the aisle,” McMillin said. “We also realize … that the best ideas come from earnest, honest and open debate about issues.”

McMillin pledged, on behalf of the Republican members, to display honor and respect when working with the minority, even through the toughest of issues.

“When we agree on our future, may we act in concert,” Pelath said. “When we disagree, let us do so with empathy and mutual respect. And let us never forget that this chamber must strive to be the perfect manifestation of the people’s will.”

 

Article writer Ashley Shuler is a reporter at TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. TheStatehouseFile.com reporter Levi Lotz also contributed to this story.