Leonard weighs in on state budget, approved this evening
(Talk of the Town file photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) 
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
About an hour ago, it was announced that the state budget has finally been approved – within hours of the midnight deadline for some sort of resolution.
“This budget is the result of hours of testimony, debate and negotiations,” said State Representative Dan Leonard who represents a large portion of Whitley County.
“This isn’t a budget House Republicans would have written, but it will keep the state solvent for two more years,” Leonard said. “I would have preferred to see more restraint in spending tax dollars to provide a wider safety net for the state.”
Leonard and fellow State Representative Matt Bell, who also represents a portion of Whitley County, have voiced concerns about keeping ample reserves to keep the state comfortable financially through uncertainty ahead.
This evening’s vote in the Republican-led Senate was 34-16. The House, under Democratic leadership, had passed the budget 62-37 earlier today.
Concerned about the financial implications of a bad economy on the state, Leonard added, “We don’t know where the bottom of this recession is; until we start to see some recovery from the economy, we must remain extremely careful about spending reserves.”
The budget now goes to Governor Mitch Daniels for his approval.
Update: As of late this evening, Governor Mitch Daniels approved the state budget.