An increase in the cigarette tax and holding the line on most state spending is how Statehouse Republicans plan to close a more than $2 billion revenue shortfall.
Governor Mike Braun, House Speaker Todd Huston, Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray, State Rep Jeff Thompson and Senator Ryan Mishler all spoke Wednesday afternoon at a budget briefing on closing the shortfall.
The full plan, which will be unveiled Wednesday evening, includes increasing the tax on cigarettes and tobacco products. Schools will get slight increase.
The Department of Health will see a $50 million cut.
You can see them in the audio below.
Indiana Democrats called the spending plan misguided. You can hear their comments below.
State Senators David Niezgodski and Andrea Hunley.
State Representative Greg Porter
