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Beau Baird: High-priority bills advance as session crosses halfway point
In the first half of the 2022 legislative session, State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) voted to advance several key priorities, including a sweeping tax-cut package to help hardworking Hoosiers and businesses.
Now in the hands of the Indiana Senate, Baird supported what would be the largest tax cut in state history, putting more than $1.3 billion back in Hoosiers’ pockets. The state’s budget reserves are expected to hit a record $5 billion at the end of fiscal year 2022, which is $3 billion more than expected.
Baird said House Bill 1002 would deliver direct relief to working Hoosiers by reducing the individual income tax from 3.23 to 3 percent. To encourage new investments, this legislation would also lower the business personal property tax while ensuring homeowners and schools aren’t negatively impacted. In addition, the bill would lower Hoosiers’ utility bills by repealing the 1.4 percent Utility Receipts Tax.
“Indiana is already top-ranked for its low taxes, but it’s critical that we continue to attract industries of the future and encourage capital investment,” said Baird, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which drafts the state’s budget. “Lowering the business personal property tax would encourage new investment, which will open up job and economic development opportunities.”
To reduce jail overcrowding, Baird supported House Bill 1004 to allow judges to send Level 6 felony offenders to the Indiana Department of Correction instead of county jails. The state often offers greater access to mental health and addiction treatment services.
Baird said a recent report shows nearly 75 percent of all felony criminal filings in Indiana are Level 6 felonies, with many of those substance-related, like drug possession or operating while intoxicated.
To alleviate the state’s ongoing nursing shortage, Baird supported House Bill 1003 to boost the health care workforce pipeline by providing flexibility to those seeking licensure. By 2031, Indiana will need 5,000 additional nurses and nursing programs will need to increase their graduating classes by 1,350 each year to meet this need. This is in addition to the current 4,300 nursing job openings statewide.
“Nurses have been nothing short of heroes throughout the pandemic,” Baird said. “We need more Hoosiers to step up for these critical roles, and providing flexibility to the training and licensing process could make that more efficient.”
Baird said there’s a lot of work left to do in the second half of session as the Indiana House of Representatives will consider Senate bills and the Senate will consider House bills. Watch session and committees, and view legislation at iga.in.gov.
State Rep. Baird represents House District 44, which includes
all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.