By HOLLY GASKILL

Following growing nationwide inflation, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced yesterday a plan to return $1 billion to taxpayers. 

In the plan, Holcomb outlined a provision for each taxpayer to receive $225. This amount is in addition to the $125 relief check announced at the end of 2021. 

In total, every taxpayer would be eligible for about $350 through the state’s automatic taxpayer refund; those filing jointly would be eligible for about $700. 

Holcomb said this relief plan was made possible through Indiana’s strong financial position, reporting higher than expected financial performance. The latest report, released yesterday, showed Indiana as $1.075 billion over the original fiscal year forecast and $209 million over for May alone.

Local Rep. Matt Lehman has spoken in support of Holcomb’s proposed plan.

“Many of us are being impacted by inflation and our personal finances are taking a hit,” Lehman said in an official statement. “With the state’s economy remaining strong, there is an opportunity to provide an automatic taxpayer refund to Hoosiers. I support the governor’s call to return to Statehouse so that we can take steps to efficiently and directly return money back to hardworking Hoosiers.”

Legislative leaders are expected to meet in a special session later this month to vote on this plan, which has received bipartisan support.

holly@news-banner.com