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Holcomb Unveils 2021 Teacher Pay Plan In 2020 State Of The State

Lauren Chapman/IPB News

Gov. Eric Holcomb proposed a new plan to free up state dollars for teacher pay in his State of the State address Tuesday. That plan could be implemented this year – but Holcomb wants to wait for 2021.

Republicans insist that further efforts to boost educator salaries must wait until the 2021 budget session. Holcomb’s new plan (targeted for next year) would use one-time dollars to pay down part of a teacher pension fund.

In turn, $50 million a year will be generated to redirect to teacher pay,” Holcomb says.

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) questions why the state will wait to spend that money.

“It’s the old ‘I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.’ No. Pay me now," Lanane says. "Let’s get the money on the table.”

READ MORE: Holcomb On Holding Teacher Pay Until 2021: ‘I Want To See The Numbers’

Republican leaders are steadfast – no new money this year for teacher pay. Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) sides with the governor, saying it has to wait for the 2021 state budget.

“To commit a quarter of a billion dollars today on a fiscal forecast that doesn’t exist yet. … I don’t think would be a wise use of state resources,” Bosma says.

Republicans are spending new money this session on cash payments for higher education capital projects approved in last year’s budget.

The governor also has a new plan to make adoptions easier and quicker. He’s creating an adoption unit – a first for Indiana – at the Department of Child Services.

“Whose sole purpose and focus will be assisting family case managers with finding permanent homes for children,” Holcomb says.

Administration officials say the new adoption unit should be up and running this year.

Holcomb also used his State of the State address to again push for a law that would ban the use of cell phones while driving unless hands-free. Democrats applaud that proposal but Republican leaders are less willing to back it right now.

Remarks are as prepared for delivery.

Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.