Indiana Republicans still split on tax rebate proposal

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Republican lawmakers remain far from agreement on whether to go along with the governor’s proposal to give each taxpayer a $225 rebate from the state’s surging budget surplus.

The Republican-dominated House and Senate have advanced vastly different plans during the special legislative session for using $1 billion or more of the state’s record $6.1 billion in cash reserves, with the Senate version nixing the refund payments in favor of paying down future teacher pension obligations.

House bill sponsor Republican Rep. Sharon Negele said Wednesday she believed residents prefer a direct rebate and was hopeful of reaching a compromise in the coming days.