INDIANAPOLIS | Indiana lawmakers return to the Statehouse on Tuesday for their first meeting since a June special session in which they approved a state budget just ahead of a looming government shutdown.
Four months later, that budget is more than $300 million out of balance, as state income and sales tax revenue have plunged during the recession.
What to do about the deficit is likely to be the subject of many conversations during Tuesday's largely ceremonial Organization Day session.
House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, is expected to address his chamber shortly after convening at 1 p.m. Indianapolis time. The Senate will convene at 1:30 p.m.
Scant actual business takes place on Organization Day, mostly just speeches, meetings and procedural tasks.
It is, however, the first day lawmakers can file legislation to be considered during the regular session that begins Jan. 5.
Likely to be filed are proposals allowing the two Majestic Star casinos in Gary to move to a land-based location, measures to change the state's redistricting process and a statewide indoor smoking ban.
Senate Republicans have vowed to push for a delay in higher unemployment insurance premiums for businesses scheduled to take effect in January.
Given the state's budget situation, Bauer has already told his caucus to avoid writing legislation that depends on new state funds.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has ordered state agencies to cut their budgets 10 percent since the General Assembly last met. On Friday, those cuts led to the layoffs of 33 state workers in the Department of Administration.
The governor has repeatedly said he will not raise taxes on Hoosiers during a recession.
