Lawmakers seek balance on social, fiscal issues

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's General Assembly will have to balance fiscal matters against hot-button social issues as it returns for its 2013 session.

Lawmakers will gather in Indianapolis Monday for a session dominated by drafting the state's biennial budget and consideration of incoming Gov. Mike Pence's priorities, including a proposed personal income tax cut.

Republican Senate President Pro Tem David Long says he sees plenty of room for social and fiscal issues in the session and is not worried one will crowd out the other.

A constitutional ban on gay marriage, a push to recite the Lord's Prayer in schools and proposals to increase access to guns will all compete for attention during the session.

Democratic House Minority Leader Scott Pelath says Republican leaders should push those battles off for another session.