Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb says he’s anxious to get tax refunds back to Hoosiers saying that’s the reason he called the special session to begin with a week ago.
“I want to make sure that Hoosiers are directly the beneficiary of that additional growth that we did not plan in this past budget session,” Holcomb said.
The session, which was originally scheduled for July 6th, was pushed back to July 25th on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Indiana special session on abortion and inflation relief delayed until July 25
Holcomb said maximizing the legislature’s time is critically important and he’s confident they can give at least a billion dollars back to Indiana taxpayers.
“I'm working with the legislature and started the shot clock on the session on July sixth,” Holcomb said. “And so that gives the legislature ample time to do work now.”
Holcomb also said he wants Indiana to make progress in terms of protecting life, and that while the state is already doing a lot, it could be doing more.
“All of those particulars and all of those specifics we'll learn more when they do come into the building, allowing three weeks of discussion,” Holcomb said.
He said he recognizes that abortion is one of the most divisive issues in the U.S.
“My goals will be to, and I start to see, and I’ll work with them today through the end of the special session to see those ideas form up,” Holcomb said, “And they’ll be competing ideas, to make sure that we can arrive at a place that hopefully meets my goal of doing more of what is already working.”
Holcomb said the legislature could learn something from states who’ve already acted before returning to the session.
