INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Lawmakers who will return in January will be charged with approving the first two-year state budget fully crafted by Gov. Mike Pence's administration.
Former Gov. Mitch Daniels' team drew up most of the current $30 billion budget that expires in June. Pence has already giving department heads their marching orders ahead of hearings on the next spending plan.
The Journal Gazette reports departments have been instructed to subtract 3 percent from their 2015 appropriations and identify potential cuts to offset request for new or expanded programs.
State Budget Director Brian Bailey says each agency also has been asked to rank the programs it oversees in order of importance to help prioritize funding.
The State Budget Committee will hold hearings on proposed spending in November and December.