Indiana's 150 senators and representatives gathered in Indianapolis this week to begin the 2015 session, one in which they'll write a new two-year state budget.
The Pence administration kicked off the budget writing process this week with the unveiling of the governor's budget proposal. It includes $200 million more in K-12 education funding over the next two years.
But Democrats criticized that figure, noting that $41 million goes specifically for a charter school funding increase. They say a growing chunk of K-12 money is diverted away from public schools to the state's voucher program.
Pence's proposed budget also includes $300 million for new road construction and a $1 million per year increase in domestic violence funding.
In the Senate, a bill concerning the governor's political future appears to have died a quick death at the opening of the new session.
Legislation proposed by Senator Mike Delph, R-Carmel, would allow Pence to run for governor and president on the same ballot. Pence called it a "well-intentioned distraction" and both House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, declared their opposition to the idea.