INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Local senators gathered at the statehouse on Tuesday for the ceremonial beginning of the 120th Indiana General Assembly.
On Organization Day, new and re-elected members are sworn in and the first roll call is conducted. Members of the house and senate also have the opportunity to organize prior to the beginning of the session. The session officially reconvenes January 3, 2017, and must be complete no later than April 29.
Since the 2017 session is a budget year, lawmakers will work to develop a financial road map for the next two years. Some items that have been mentioned as priorities are infrastructure funding, expanding state-funded early education, creating an energy plan, and supporting state technology efforts.
Lawmakers on both sides of the isle say new income streams are needed in order to address their priorities. Most have advocated an increase in taxes on tobacco and fuel. Along with an increased tobacco tax, there is a push to raise the smoking age from 18 to 21.
