Constitutional amendment on Indiana ballot concerns state budget

One of the questions Indiana residents will see on their ballot, titled Public Question Number 1, is a constitutional amendment concerning Indiana's budget.

In January 2015, Governor Mike Pence called for an amendment to the state constitution to require a two-thirds majority of the Senate and the House of Representatives to approve any budget that exceeds expected revenue.

The question that will appear on your ballot:

"Shall Article 10, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to require the General Assembly to adopt balanced budgets for state government that do not exceed estimated revenues unless a super majority of two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives and two-thirds of the members of the Senate vote to suspend the requirement?"

You will choose Yes or No.

Former Senator Brandt Hershman from northwest Indiana says the way the law is now, a simple majority could pass a budget that isn't balanced.

The only thing this change will do is raise the threshold to a two-thirds majority.

There is some concern if the measure passes, the state could cut public pensions from teachers, police or firefighters to make up for future budget shortfalls.

The law's author says nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Indiana State Teachers Association says, "Simply put, this amendment gives the state little or no room to get through tough economic times."