VOTE411 Voter Guide

The Indiana Senate has broad powers to pass laws that affect the daily lives of Indiana citizens. It decides the type of taxes and rates that will be levied on citizens and businesses for State purposes. It an create and abolish agencies of state government. It determines how much will be spent for each of the many government services. It sets the rules for operation of Indiana's local governments. It determines the amount of state-collected tax funds to be distributed to the units of local government for schools, highways and other purposes, and designates the basis on which these funds are to be distributed. The 50 Senators are elected to four-year terms, with half being elected every two years. The Senate dictates the procedures for the election of state and local government officials including drawing the voting districts.