GOP leaders in the state Senate made it clear today that the 1-year budget proposal passed by the Indiana House will soon become a 2-year budget proposal under their guidance.  They also expressed a desire to put all stimulus spending in the budget bill.  That would eliminate the state stimulus package passed by the House.

Now, if that sounds like a big bill, consider that the budget may be the only place to put a plan to solve the deficit in the Unemployment Insurance Trust fund.  Republicans say they want a separate bill but don’t know if there is one available, since the House killed its proposal.  (They also said the unemployment issue could lead to a special session.)

Sen. Luke Kenley suggested that stimulus money could be used to avoid higher ed cuts while saying that he plans to follow the governor’s budget outline. 

The legislature basically starts from scratch next week.