(Indianapolis, IN) - A local state lawmaker voted against the new state budget heading to the governor for his possible signature.

 

State Representative Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) said the budget approved by a majority in the republican dominated state legislature contains insufficient funding for K-12 education and higher education.

 

“I cannot fathom the irreparable damage this year’s budget will have on our education systems,” she said.

 

Boy said the budget not only doesn’t make up for the money our public schools are losing because of property tax cuts but also cuts the funding for public universities.

 

“Our universities attract thousands of bright students every year and teach them vital skills they can contribute to our state. Instead of fostering these educational environments to provide our young people with opportunities to prosper, the majority has decided to slash their funding,” she said. . 

 

Boy also said the projected $800 million to be generated by a $2 increase in the state tax on a pack of cigarettes should have been earmarked for education to make up for the revenue losses for the schools.

 

“Instead of ensuring that this funding goes towards making up for the cut funding in our education systems, much of this funding is going to a general fund with no guarantee on how it will be used.” she said.