Pryor comments on announcement of 2025 interim study committee topics

Wednesday, June 25, lawmakers on the Legislative Council, consisting of leadership from all four caucus’ and several other appointed legislators, met to discuss the selected topics for the 2025 interim study committees. The topics span a variety of policy areas and include ideas from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Interim study committees are designed to allow the legislature to take an in-depth look at important subjects to base legislative action on during session. Each study committee includes members from both parties in both chambers. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) – a member of the legislative council that met today – issued the following statement:  

“I am glad to see bipartisan assignments for the 2025 interim study committee topics. Many of the topics selected examine issues that act as significant barriers to improving life for Hoosiers.  

“I am glad that the state is looking into the issue of medical debt. For those without health insurance, and even some with it, getting sick or injured could result in crushing debt that prevents any chance at economic prosperity in the future. Hoosiers don’t deserve to face financial ruin just for needing medical care, and I am pleased there will be a committee looking for ways to prevent that.  

“Postpartum support for Hoosier mothers is another topic that will be studied during the interim. Indiana has some of the worst maternal mortality statistics in the country, with Black and brown populations disproportionately impacted. Finding ways to increase access to medical services for postpartum care is a significant step in trying to improve our maternal health outcomes.

“Additionally, the legislature will be looking at salaries for K-12 administrators as well as the ratio of students to administrators and students to teachers. Right now, our state has a problem with attracting and retaining educators. Studying salaries and ratios allows us to take a deeper look at how we can provide additional support to schools so that we can address the teacher shortage and improve schools for Hoosier students.  

“I hope these study committees lay a solid foundation for legislation that can provide real solutions for Hoosiers across the state.” 

Porter comments on budget’s broken promises to Hoosier families

Today, June 18, the State Budget Committee met to discuss appropriations for the biennium. The meeting follows the announcement from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) that enrollment for the On My Way Pre-K program (OMWPK) will be capped at 2,500 slots due to budget constraints. Pre-K providers participating in the program will have their reimbursement capped at $147.82 per week. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding missed opportunities in the biennial budget:  

“Obviously, money was tight this budget, but I warned my colleagues about the impact of their misguided priorities. Gov. Braun initially proposed an appropriation of $101.3 million for OMWPK, which didn’t happen. He proposed an appropriation of $2 million for local child care assistance, which didn’t happen. He proposed $392 million for the Child Care Development Fund vouchers (CCDF) to eliminate the waitlist, which didn’t happen either. There were multiple missed opportunities, regardless of the revenue forecast, to prioritize and support our Hoosier families. 

“Instead, they moved forward with their $1.2 billion voucher expansion for Indiana’s wealthiest families. Republicans gave additional tax cuts for data centers and continued the individual income tax cuts, with average savings of $50 or less. Is this worth taking away pre-K or child care support for our working families? Indiana is the second-best state to start a business, but it won’t be for long if parents need to stay home to care for their kids because they can’t afford child care or pre-K. With the potential federal changes to Medicaid and Senate Enrolled Act 2, even more Hoosier parents could lose their health care, CCDF vouchers and other support systems.  

“Our governor is a successful businessman, so I’m certain he’s aware of the support parents need outside of the workplace. Sadly, Braun didn’t keep his promises and was bulldozed by other Republicans.”  

Shackleford attends celebratory signings for public health legislation

Today, State Rep. Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) joined Gov. Braun at the Statehouse for ceremonial bill signings of several impactful health care measures passed during the 2025 legislative session.

The legislation signed includes:

1. House Enrolled Act 1065: Allows a Cancer Clinical Trial Participation Program to provide payment to Indiana residents for supportive costs, including travel, child care, lodging, parking and tolls, incurred while participating in cancer clinical trials. Participants must meet financial eligibility and residency requirements.

2. House Enrolled Act 1666: Increases oversight and transparency in the ownership of health care providers.

3. House Enrolled Act 1604: Helps Hoosiers better manage health care costs by improving out-of-pocket expense credits and allowing cost-sharing payments to be applied to deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket expenses.

4. Senate Enrolled Act 140: Enhances regulation of pharmacy benefit managers to ensure fairer prescription pricing for patients.

Shackleford, a longtime advocate for equitable and accessible health care, issued the following statement:

“These bills mark crucial progress toward making health care more affordable, transparent and equitable for Hoosiers. From protecting patients against predatory practices to improving accountability in our health care system, each measure signed today moves Indiana in the right direction.

“I’m especially proud to have authored HEA 1065, which creates a fund to help offset the cost of participating in cancer clinical trials. Too often, financial barriers prevent patients from accessing the innovative care they need. This new program will help ensure that more Hoosiers, regardless of income, can benefit from advanced treatments.

“I’m honored to stand alongside fellow lawmakers and advocates in the fight for health equity and look forward to continuing this work to build a stronger, more inclusive system for all.”

IBLC commemorates Juneteenth, calls for comprehensive American education

On June 19, 1865, African Americans enslaved in Galveston, Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery signed two years prior. Since then, June 19 – or "Juneteenth" – has been celebrated as a day of freedom throughout the country.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), issued the following statement in advance of the holiday:

"Today, 160 years later, Juneteenth is still as important as it was the first year it was celebrated. Juneteenth is a day to celebrate the liberation, joy and achievements of Black people. It is also a time to channel our efforts to overcome the barriers that still lie ahead of us.

"In 2025 – in our state of Indiana and across the nation – efforts are being made to undo the progress Black leaders have made for our community. From banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices in government agencies to shameful whitewashing of slavery from the second-in-command of Indiana, we don't have the luxury of disengaging. We need to be steadfast in ensuring that our history is not erased, our contributions are not minimized and that our voices are heard.

"This starts in the classroom. Teaching our children true American history – the good, the bad and the ugly – will help us ensure that the achievements of African Americans, the horrors we faced and contributions we're making today will not be forgotten.  Some of the steps our Republican supermajority took in the most recent session of the Indiana General Assembly actively work against this goal. We should never shy away from our history – the strength of our democracy depends on us confronting our past and working to create a future where all people are extended the promise of America.

"There's still a lot of work to be done to make Indiana a better state for all. We in the IBLC will continue to work to remove roadblocks and create an equal playing field for Hoosiers from all walks of life."

Shackleford: Pre-K cuts threaten Hoosier children’s health and family economic stability

INDIANAPOLIS - State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) is speaking out against the Braun administration’s decision to slash Indiana’s On My Way Pre-K program, reducing access from more than 6,000 children to just 2,500 for the 2025-26 school year. Reimbursement rates for families and child care providers will also be capped at $147.82 per week, cutting support by as much as half in some counties.

“This isn’t just a budget decision — it’s a direct threat to our children’s futures and to family stability across Indiana,” Shackleford said. “Early childhood education is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong health, academic achievement and financial security. These cuts will set kids back before they’ve even stepped into a kindergarten classroom.”

Shackleford, who has long championed access to quality care in Indianapolis and beyond, highlighted the clear connection between pre-K and improved public health outcomes.

“Children who attend high-quality pre-K are less likely to develop chronic health conditions later in life. They show better emotional regulation, stronger mental health and higher levels of physical activity as they grow. Stripping this opportunity from Hoosier families will have lifelong health consequences.

“For working parents, these programs mean the difference between being able to stay in the workforce or not. A 2024 study of universal pre‑K in New Haven, Connecticut found that parents with a child in the program increased their earnings by 20.9%, thanks to more reliable care and extended work hours. Without affordable pre-K, many parents — especially mothers — will be forced to cut back hours or quit altogether. That hurts household budgets and weakens our economy.”

“When the state underfunds pre-K, providers are also forced to scale back or shut down. This makes Indiana’s child care deserts even worse, especially in low-income and urban neighborhoods.”

Shackleford contrasted the administration’s cuts with Republican leaders’ choice to expand Indiana’s private school voucher program, a move that provides new benefits to wealthy families while reducing support for low- and middle-income households.

“There was money in the budget. The choice was made to prioritize private school vouchers for millionaires over essential early learning for working families. That speaks volumes about where this administration’s values lie.

“If Indiana wants healthier families, a stronger workforce and better academic outcomes, then we need to treat pre-K as essential infrastructure, not an afterthought. These cuts are a mistake, and I will continue fighting to restore what Hoosier families deserve.”

Garcia Wilburn celebrates opioid settlement win, calls for investment in recovery courts

Indiana will receive up to $100 million in new opioid settlement funds following action by 55 attorneys general, including Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, to secure a $7.4 billion settlement from the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma for their role in America's opioid epidemic. This money will be disbursed over the next 15 years to state and local governments to combat the effects of the opioid crisis, according to a press release from Attorney General Rokita.

State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers), a behavioral health professional and recovery advocate, renewed her call for Indiana to establish a Family Recovery Court Fund, which could be funded by opioid settlement dollars. Family recovery courts are certified problem-solving courts that target cases of abuse or neglect wherein a parent or primary caregiver suffers from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders, but they struggle to receive consistent funding and have often relied on counties prioritizing them in their budgets. This legislative session, Garcia Wilburn passed House Bill 1107 unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee to create such a fund, but it subsequently stalled out in the House Ways and Means Committee – meaning that it did not become law this year.

Garcia Wilburn released the following statement on the new settlement dollars and how they could be put to good use in recovery courts:

"First, I'm thankful that Indiana will receive $100 million in new opioid settlement dollars, and I thank Attorney General Rokita and his fellow attorneys general across the country for their work to secure this outcome. These dollars can be put to use in our communities for addiction recovery, prevention and solutions, including recovery courts.

"Family recovery courts reduce the cost of addiction to the taxpayers by solving addiction outside of our courts and prison systems. They're a great investment that have resulted in many success stories across our state of babies born substance free and families made whole again. The 2026 legislative session is the time to take action and create a family recovery court fund. This will allow courts across the state to fund family recovery courts sustainably into the future. Amid a state budget shortfall and this new infusion of settlement funds, setting up this recovery court fund won't take money out of our state budget but will help Hoosiers reach recovery with existing dedicated funds. That's a win in my book – and one that's entirely achievable during the 2026 legislative session."

OP-ED: No, you're not hallucinating – AES wants to raise your rates again.

AES Indiana just requested to raise their rates on consumers. Again. 

Last year, they raised rates for consumers by an average of $9.36 per month, although their original ask was $17.50. This year, they want an increase of 13.5%, but in reality is closer to 21% and will cost Hoosiers an extra $30 every month. If it feels like your utility bill is always growing, that’s because it is. 

To some, $30 a month, or $360 dollars a year, may not seem like a lot. But what if your electricity bill rose $360 every year? In five years, you would see your bill grow by $1,800. Asking the IURC to approve a rate increase shouldn’t become an annual tradition for utility companies across the state, including AES, and those additional monthly costs add up quickly. When coupled with inflation, high housing costs, increased grocery costs, higher medical bills and lagging growth in wages, this rate increase very well could be the straw that breaks the camel's back for residents in Marion County. And those who are living paycheck to paycheck, or on a fixed income, may be forced to sacrifice essentials like food or medication to cover that extra $30 month after month. 

In 2020, AES was approved to use $1.2 billion from ratepayers to upgrade their system. Ratepayers are still in the process of paying for that, as the plan built in seven years of consecutive increases on top of other requests they have made separately. By the time the 21% hike would go into effect, you would really see an increase of 27% because of a 6% increase already approved to cover projects such as the Pike County battery storage facility. 

It's honestly hard to keep track of how many times AES has raised their rates. Over the last decade, rates have increased by more than 34%. The pace at which prices are increasing is not sustainable for Hoosier families. Something eventually must give. In 2024, I filed an amendment to create a one-year moratorium on rate increases to help Hoosiers catch their breath. The Republican supermajority at the Statehouse struck this down.

Every time these rate hike requests are made, the justification has been a system or infrastructure improvement. However, even with the additional revenue, many pressing concerns about the services have gone unaddressed. After the increase in 2023 to “upgrade” systems, customers experienced issues such as charges on their account three times the normal size with no explanation, charges being withdrawn up to 10 times without immediate refund and completed payments being marked as missing. AES paused disconnections temporarily while they stabilized the billing system, but disconnections were recently resumed with many customers still facing billing issues. 

Are consumers just supposed to helplessly accept that they must pay more and more for utilities every single year? Part of AES' justification for this most recent request was that they need to cover the cost of doing business due to inflation and rising costs. We all live in this economy. Hoosiers are facing the consequences of inflation and rising costs too. But the average person can’t demand money from others to cover our expenses. And because utilities are regulated monopolies, ratepayers don’t have a choice of providers. Which means, we are left footing the bill at the whim of stockholders who don’t have a connection to our communities. 

If a $1.2 billion upgrade isn’t enough, and you have to ask for tens of millions of dollars every year and still not solve basic customer-service issues, how can any amount of money be enough? I was heartened to see Gov. Mike Braun express displeasure over this rate hike request. But ultimately, Gov. Braun and the last 20 years of Republican leadership are responsible for the high rates consumers find themselves paying today. If Gov. Braun wants to stand up for affordability, he should call on IURC to deny this outrageous request.  

GiaQuinta, House Democrats condemn slashing of Indiana state pre-K program

As Hoosier parents prepare their household budgets for the 2025-2026 school year, fewer working families will have On My Way Pre-K, Indiana's state preschool program, at their disposal to assist with the cost of sending their 3- and 4-year-olds to pre-K. Gov. Braun's administration announced at the beginning of June that it would slash On My Way Pre-K seats from over 6,000 to 2,500 for the upcoming school year.

Additionally, reimbursement subsidies for families enrolled in the program will be capped at $147.82 a week – for some counties, this will slash reimbursement rates in half or more. This means that child care providers will receive less money from the state for children enrolled in the program, disincentivizing provider participation and broad access, and low-income families will be responsible for the cost not paid for by the state.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) and House Democrats are deeply concerned that the Braun administration and Statehouse Republicans chose to prioritize the expansion of Indiana's private school voucher program to millionaires and billionaires this session over maintaining the On My Way Pre-K program for low- to moderate-income families. GiaQuinta released the following statement reacting to the cuts:

"Working parents are already stretched thin. Now, they’re being told to do more with less – the theme of this administration. Cutting On My Way Pre-K means pulling the rug out from under hard-working families who were planning to use this program to make their household budget work.

"These cuts weren't inevitable. In the 2025 budget, Statehouse Republicans chose to prioritize making private school vouchers universal. While millionaires and billionaires are getting more tuition assistance for the private schools their children already attend, working families are being told that pre-K for their 3- and 4-year-olds is too expensive for the state. That’s not budgeting — that’s bad priorities. Amid a budget shortfall, Statehouse Republicans found the money to expand a program that they cared about. It just wasn't the program that benefits families struggling to get by.

"Hoosier families deserve more, plain and simple."

Jackson comments on FSSA slashing On My Way Pre-K

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently announced several significant cuts to On My Way Pre-K. These cuts include capping enrollment at 2,500 children, down from over 6,000 enrollees last year, and slashing the provider reimbursement rates.   

In the 2025 state budget, FSSA faced the 5% budget cut that most state agencies did and were recently ordered to cut an additional 5% specifically from their personnel and technology budgets. The agency claims that the cuts to the On My Way Pre-K program are a result of the budget reduction.   

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) issued the following statement:  

“I am extremely concerned about the recent cuts to On My Way Pre-K and the devastating impacts they will have on our state and our community. Over 85% of 4-year-olds in Indiana do not have access to preschool. On My Way Pre-K is already an extremely limited program to help the most vulnerable afford to send their children to pre-K. Now, 3,500 fewer Hoosier children will likely not be able to enroll in pre-K because their families cannot afford it without the voucher.

"Additionally, the financial incentive for providers to accept On My Way Pre-K vouchers in Lake County was reduced by up to 46%. Many facilities may choose or be forced to no longer participate in the program. Every year, I have families reaching out to me for help getting their children into pre-K because of the limited class sizes and long waitlists. Reducing this incentive will reduce class sizes even more. Families who desperately want to give their child a leg up with early childhood education are being left high and dry.  

“Indiana is one of only six states in the entire country that doesn’t fund a universal pre-K system. Early childhood education has been proven to improve academic performance and even salaries later in life. Additionally, access to pre-K boosts our economy by allowing parents to return to the workforce. The state should be pouring resources into expanding pre-K access for all children, not cutting it for vulnerable populations. If pre-K is a luxury that only wealthy families in well-off suburbs can afford, children living in underserved communities will be hurt the most.   

“Republican leadership claims that they had to cut funding for FSSA because there simply wasn’t enough money. I would like to know how they found $1.2 billion to expand private school vouchers universally so millionaires and billionaires can use taxpayer dollars to send their kids to private school. This is not about fiscal responsibility. This does not help working Hoosiers. This policy is harmful for children, families and our economy.” 

Johnson announces winner of 2025 Mary Moriarty Adams Memorial Scholarship

State Rep. Blake Johnson (D-Indianapolis) has announced that the Mary Moriarty Adams Memorial Scholarship committee has selected a recipient for 2025. The winner is Mariah Questelles of Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood. Mariah will attend Indiana University in the fall with plans to study neuroscience and pursue a pre-med track.  

The Mary Moriarty Adams Memorial Scholarship is granted to a high school student in House District 100 who demonstrates their commitment to community and public service. The one-time, $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year by Johnson and his wife, Natalie. It was created and named in honor of former Indianapolis City-County Councilor and dedicated public servant, Mary Moriarty Adams, who passed away in 2018.  

“Natalie and I are thrilled to award the 2025 Mary Moriarty Adams Memorial Scholarship to Mariah Questelles. Mariah represents the very best of our city’s future—smart, driven, and deeply committed to serving others. Her leadership at school and in the community has been inspiring, and we’re proud to support her as she pursues her dream of becoming a doctor.”

“The selection committee was thrilled by the number of impressive applicants this year. It’s a powerful reminder that so many young people are stepping up to make a difference in Indianapolis. This scholarship is one small way we can celebrate that commitment to service and invest in the next generation of leaders—leaders like Mariah.”

OP-ED: GOP’s Medicaid & SNAP Cuts Will Hit Indiana Hard: “Local taxpayers will bear the weight of federal abandonment.”

By: State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis)

Word Count: 825

When Congress plays politics with essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP, it’s not D.C. that pays the price - it’s us. It’s Indiana. As a state lawmaker who hears daily from working families, single parents and seniors trying to make ends meet, I can tell you exactly what Republicans’ so-called “big, beautiful” bill would mean for Indiana: higher burdens, fewer safety nets and deeper struggles for our most vulnerable neighbors.

This bill, passed with thin margins out of the U.S. House of Representatives and cheered on by the president, is being framed as a solution to government-spending overreach. But let’s be clear: Gutting Medicaid and slashing access to food assistance isn’t reform. It’s abandonment of the people who need help the most.

Changes to Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) alone would result in the loss of more than 100 million meals for Hoosier families over the next decade. In Indiana, more than 2 million people rely on Medicaid, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Over 600,000 Hoosiers depend on SNAP to keep food on the table. Under this bill, tens of thousands could lose that support overnight.

Who picks up the slack when families fall through the cracks? State governments. If Washington cuts Medicaid funding, Indiana will be forced to either slash services – on top of what was already cut during this past legislative session – or absorb the costs. And we all know those costs don’t disappear.

The cost shift to Indiana from federal cuts to programs like SNAP could be as high as $356 million over the next 10 years – and that figure only reflects SNAP. When federal support for essential programs is reduced, the ripple effects are widespread. That’s money the state will need to find not just to keep kids fed during school breaks, but also to prevent seniors from losing health coverage, to help working parents afford basic child care, and to maintain support systems for low-income families. If Indiana can’t –or doesn’t– fill the gap, the burden will fall to already overstretched local hospitals, food banks and community organizations. Emergency rooms will become overcrowded, untreated illnesses will spread and local governments will be forced to scramble for solutions. Ultimately, it’s local taxpayers who will bear the cost of federal disinvestment.

The federal legislation also introduces new work requirements for both Medicaid and SNAP recipients, mandating at least 80 hours per month of employment, education or community services for able-bodied adults without dependents. These requirements are set to begin in 2026 and apply to individuals aged 19 to 64. Exemptions are limited to individuals under 19, pregnant women or those who are caring for a young child or person with disabilities.

Additionally, Medicaid recipients will need to verify eligibility twice a year instead of once – which is less stringent than the recently passed Senate Enrolled Act 2 in Indiana that already imposes quarterly, monthly and yearly eligibility checks.

The bill also raises the age limit for SNAP work requirements from 54 to 64, meaning older adults would now be required to meet work conditions or risk losing their benefits.

For many seniors already facing health issues or barriers to employment, this is not realistic. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would slash Medicaid funding by over $700 billion, and Indiana could see an decrease of an estimated $15 billion in federal Medicaid funding.

We’ve seen this playbook before: shift the burden downward, call it “efficiency” and leave working families behind. These policies don’t just cut, they punish. They stigmatize poverty and make it harder for Hoosiers to access help when they need it most. And they ignore the real barriers many people face: lack of transportation, unpredictable child care, nonexistent livable wages or unstable housing, all of which make meeting rigid new requirements nearly impossible.

I’ve spoken with families in our district who are already facing financial struggles. For them, SNAP and Medicaid aren’t handouts – they’re the difference between stability and crisis. Stripping those supports won’t make people more self-sufficient. It will push them further into hardship.

State leaders should be sounding the alarm, not quietly absorbing the damage. We should be pushing back, demanding that Congress strengthen safety nets, not unravel them. We should invest in long-term solutions that empower families, grow our economy and reduce the need for emergency relief, not policies that punish people for needing help in the first place.

And here's the truth policymakers don’t say out loud: this is all about the money. But if that’s the case, we should be honest – investing in people now is the cost-saving solution. When families have access to livable wages, reliable transportation, healthy food, quality health care and stable housing, they’re more likely to thrive. That means fewer emergency room visits, fewer evictions and fewer public dollars spent on crisis response later.

Hoosiers are resilient. But resilience isn’t a substitute for support. And when Washington chooses cuts over care, it’s Indiana that pays the price.

Jackson appointed to Council on State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) has been appointed to the Council on State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee for 2025 and 2026. The purpose of this committee is to connect legislators across the Midwest with each other and industry experts to inform policymaking for the future. Jackson currently serves on the Environmental Affairs Committee and the Natural Resources Committee in the Indiana House of Representatives. 

“I am both honored and excited to have been appointed to the Committee on Energy and Environment for the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council on State Governments,” Jackson said. “Since I became a legislator, I have focused on promoting the health and well-being of my constituents while protecting the community from harmful substances like lead and other pollutants. I am proud to have created programs to test schools and child care facilities for lead in drinking water, which can cause developmental disabilities in children. Additionally, I have worked to find solutions to make energy in Indiana more affordable and more efficient. 

“I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and learn from other legislators and policy experts from across the nation. Environmental policy is unique in the sense that the policies of one state impact neighboring states. In order to effectively govern, state governments must communicate and work together. This opportunity gives Northwest Indiana a seat at the table, and I am excited to advocate for Hoosiers and bring what I learn back to the General Assembly.”