In the second week of the legislative session, lawmakers revealed key details of their property tax proposal and discussed raising pay for teachers.

In his first budget as governor, Braun proposed sales tax holidays for back-to-school and youth sports supplies.

The legislation would provide 20 days of paid parental leave for teachers under certain conditions and raise their minimum pay to $45,000. The latter proposal would cost around $14 million.

As lawmakers create the next state budget, they may seek to fund an expansion of school vouchers and pay raises for teachers. But the state’s revenue forecast could complicate matters.

Schools can adopt the new requirements, which offer 3 graduation pathways for students, as early as next year.

A new apprenticeship allows Indiana high school students to graduate qualified to work in early education. Another allows high school graduates to earn a teaching degree while working in a classroom.

A 2024 survey of Indiana counselors found they don’t have enough time to help students.

Democratic lawmaker Sheila Klinker plans to again introduce legislation mandating $60,000 minimum salaries for teachers.

Programs like Indiana Learns that relied on federal emergency funding are in jeopardy, but there’s still time for families to use the grants until March.

Legislative leaders urged caution on property tax reform, a priority for Governor-elect Mike Braun.