The inflation relief package, Senate Bill 2, providing $200 checks to all taxpayers – including non-filers – overwhelmingly passed both houses of the Indiana legislature Friday.
In addition to the relief checks, $45 million will go towards the Hoosier Families First Fund as well as $1 billion for the Teachers Retirement Stabilization Fund, among other provisions. Click here to read the bill, which now heads to the governor’s desk.
All members of the House and Senate representing Hamilton County voted in favor of the measure.
State Senator Fady Qaddoura (D-30-Indianapolis) said that said he was pleased with the bill, although it’s not perfect.
Qaddoura
“Today I voted in support of SB 2, a piece of legislation that is not perfect but provides some help to Hoosier families,” Senator Qaddoura said. “For several weeks, I advocated for larger relief checks for Hoosiers on a limited income, $1 billion to fund K-12, $750 million for maternal, mental and public health, and $250 million to expand pre-k and childcare services across Indiana. While I’m disappointed that my proposals were voted down by the Republicans, I’m proud to always champion real solutions to chronic challenges impacting Hoosier families. I will always prioritize Hoosiers’ best interest at the heart of every piece of legislation.”
State Senator J.D. Ford (D-29-Indianapolis) supported the bill’s passage but said it could have done more.
Ford
“Senate Bill 2 could have provided more significant relief for folks and done more to improve maternal and infant healthcare in our state, but I supported this legislation as an important first step and opportunity to help Hoosiers,” Sen. Ford said. “Hoosiers have been facing high costs for months on everything from gas to groceries and these relief checks will help offset some of those costs. I was proud to play a part in ensuring that folks on Social Security would be eligible for this refund. The bill also provides a downpayment on improving healthcare for pregnant women and newborns, but it must be just the first step, we need to expand on this investment during the budget session. Finally, we finally repealed the sales tax on diapers which is a common sense idea to help families.”
However, State Senator Greg Taylor (D-33-Indianapolis) was the lone senator to vote against the bill, citing issues with the support efforts not going far enough in the bill and money being directed toward non-licensed pregnancy centers.
Taylor
“Senate Bill (SB) 2 was created to provide relief to the women and families who will be impacted by an abortion ban in Indiana,” Sen. Taylor said. “During the supermajority’s back-room negotiations to reach an agreement on support for Hoosiers, economic relief from SB 3 was also amended into the proposal. Now SB 2 has provisions to help Hoosiers struggling right now as well as support for families and pregnant women as we prepare to enter a state where birth is state-mandated. Despite the purported intentions of the bill, however, it falls far short of providing Hoosiers with the meaningful help they need. That’s why I voted against the legislation.”