Indiana House GOP Blocks Vote on Tax Cut, Rejects Dem Plan

House Republicans are blocking a vote on Gov. Mike Pence's tax cut with a promise to take up the issue in April.

Republicans voted along party lines to keep House Democrats from forcing a voteon the tax cut Thursday. The effort came as lawmakers advanced a $30 billion biennial budget that swaps the cut for more spending on schools and roads.

Democratic House Minority Leader Scott Pelath said Pence deserves an up-or-down vote on his top priority. But Republican Rep. Jerry Torr argued that any vote should wait until after lawmakers see an updated economic forecast in April.

The House also rejected Democrats' efforts Thursday to reshape the budget to spend more on schools and offer a progressive tax cut.

Republicans hold a supermajority in the chamber of 69-31.