Hamilton opposes the 2025 state budget: ‘This isn’t what Hoosiers need’

In the early morning hours of April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the budget to the governor’s desk. State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) voted against the budget due to insufficient funding for K-12 public education, cuts to child care and pre-k programs as well as the expansion of the voucher program. 

“In this moment of economic uncertainty, the average Hoosier family deserves a state willing to support their very real needs,” Hamilton said. “Instead, this budget chooses to invest in the wealthiest 3.5% of families. 

“The budget passed by Statehouse Republicans hands nearly $100 million in new taxpayer dollars to the wealthiest families in Indiana every year starting in 2027 to send their children to private schools they are already attending. Meanwhile, our public schools—the backbone of our communities—continue to be underfunded. Adjusted for inflation, Indiana now spends less per student than we did 15 years ago. That’s not progress. That’s disinvestment.

“If we wanted to help working Hoosiers, we would expand access to child care and pre-k. Child care is unaffordable—or simply unavailable—for tens of thousands of parents trying to stay in the workforce. This is when the state should step up and support working families. Instead, this is a step back. On My Way Pre-k saw a 5% cut in funding and a reduction in eligibility. The state views a family of four making $40 thousand a year as too rich to qualify for child care vouchers, but any billionaire now qualifies for a private school voucher. 

“Investing in child care, early learning and our public schools pays back for families, employers and our state’s economy. A massive subsidy to Indiana’s uber-wealthy is simply not fiscally responsible. 

“This budget is about priorities. And the message is loud and clear—we’re prioritizing ideology over educational outcomes. Wealth over need. Politics over working families. This isn’t fiscally responsible. It’s not equitable. And it’s not what Hoosiers are asking for.”