Education among lawmakers’ top priorities ahead of upcoming legislative session

Indianapolis, Indiana – Leaders of the statehouse spoke to their different caucuses on Tuesday regarding the problems they intend to take up in the upcoming year.

House Speaker Todd Huston stated that Republicans’ main agenda items for the upcoming session will be threefold: antisemitism on college campuses, reading proficiency issues among Hoosier primary school kids, and updates to I-65 and I-70.

During “Organization Day” at the Statehouse on Tuesday, the Speaker of the House challenged legislators to set a target of having 95% of Hoosier third-graders proficient in reading by 2027.

”We need to communicate with parents and schools,” Speaker Huston said. “But let’s set that goal. Let’s get that accomplished.”

Senate Republicans are likewise quite concerned about reading proficiency, according to Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray. Bray stated that if more Hoosier third-graders are not reading at grade level, the state will investigate measures that might eventually hold them back, together with the House Speaker.

”An awful lot of kids are getting passed on to fourth grade and then we’re not keeping an eye on them to make sure that they’re becoming proficient,” Senate President Pro Tem Bray said.

Senate Democrats will prioritize childcare, healthcare, and permitting ballot initiatives in Indiana, according to Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, in addition to education-related issues.

”Hoosiers shouldn’t be forced to live under extremely hurtful and harmful policies without having any way to redact or have a say-so,” Senate Minority Leader Taylor said.

But the House Speaker just responded, “No,” when asked if ballot initiatives would be permitted in Indiana during the upcoming session.

Additionally, reporters pressed Republican leadership on the 2024 Water Study and its potential implications for Boone County’s LEAP District. They stated that no decisions have been made and that more time is required to study the data. This occurs after Tippecanoe County earlier this week authorized a prohibition on water exports.