2025 Indiana legislative session starts on January 8

Noon Edition

The Indiana General Assembly will convene on Jan. 8 to begin crafting laws for the upcoming year.

The 100 representatives and 50 senators look to tackle a multitude of issues for 2025, with education being a top priority. Indiana ranked seventh in the U.S for Pre-K through 12 grade. However, lawmakers look to increase pay to help fill teacher shortages, fund summer schools and improve services for students with disabilities.

Read More: Vouchers for Indiana students with disabilities hits record enrollment

Lawmakers also will have to pass a new budget to run the state for the next two years. That will include discussions on Indiana’s Medicaid program, which is second only to education in percentage of the state’s budget.

The two-year budget passed in 2023 was for $44.5 billion.

Read More: How do I follow Indiana’s legislative session? Here’s your guide to demystify the process

One bill already filed for the upcoming session looks to abolish the state’s death penalty. It comes on the heels of last month’s execution of Joseph Corcoran, the first person put to death by the state since 2009.

Read More: Indiana resumes death penalty after 15-year pause

Like it has for the past decade, the GOP will have a super-majority in both chambers of the statehouse. But, for the first time in eight years, they’ll be sending legislation to a new governor’s desk. Republican Mike Braun will be sworn in on Jan. 13 to succeed term-limited Eric Holcomb.

This week on Noon Edition, we’ll talk with Indiana senators and house of representative to hear their insights and get a preview on the upcoming legislative session.

Guests:

Shelli Yoder, Democrat, Indiana State Senator, District 40

Matt Pierce, Democrat, Indiana State Representative, District 61

Bruce Borders, Republican, Indiana State Representative, District 45