Porter calls on the IDOC to explain lagging federal payments from ICE

Today, May 12, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) will request an explanation from the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) about lagging payments from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the State Budget Committee meeting. The state has spent $12.5 million since November but has only received $5.06 million in reimbursement. 

It was Porter’s amendment to Senate Enrolled Act 76 that requires a monthly finance report for the Miami Correctional Facility. 

“I don’t want to be in this agreement,” Porter said. “If I had my way, Indiana wouldn’t be taking any money from ICE. But the majority made this decision, and I don’t want Hoosiers to foot the bill. 

“Indiana’s shelling out millions in taxpayer dollars, then it's taking months to get anything in return. Look at Florida: The Florida legislature is still waiting on $608 million in reimbursement from ICE. Now, federal officials are telling Florida that reimbursement was never guaranteed. 

“This contract was a politically motivated move to impress Washington. I don’t want Hoosiers to lose a single dollar due to a decision made far above their heads. The IDOC needs to present its plan for prompt reimbursement at the next SBC meeting.”

Porter: ‘Indiana is entering a K economy’

On Friday, the state released its monthly revenue report. April revenue was $263.6 million above the estimate, reaching $425.7 million above forecast for FY 2026. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement:

“Indiana’s economy is booming. We’re up about half a billion dollars with two months left in the fiscal year. At this rate, especially with reversions in closeout, our surplus could potentially exceed $5 billion. 

“But Hoosiers aren’t doing well. We’re entering a K economy: the state and the wealthiest fortunes are trending up, while the 99% is experiencing a sharp decline. The number of Indiana households in poverty is rising.

“Suspending both gas taxes is a step towards assistance, but we need to do more. We should look into income tax rebates, actual property tax relief and additional support for childcare providers still struggling with reimbursement rate cuts.  

“What’s the point of hoarding tax dollars while Hoosiers struggle? This isn’t the government's money. It’s the people’s.”

Porter comments on Attendant Care audit

Recently, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced an audit of the Attendant Care program, putting critical support for developmentally disabled children and adults at risk. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement on the audit:

“This audit is evidence that Republicans don’t know what they’re doing. They’re in charge. They overpaid providers. But somehow the fault lies with the Attendant Care program. Now the FSSA is on this seek and destroy mission.

“For two years, the FSSA has attacked the Attendant Care program. But the program is a genuine win-win. Indiana’s most vulnerable residents can remain in their homes and receive care from their loved ones, rather than being forced into high-cost facilities. This approach is not only more compassionate. It’s significantly more cost-effective for the state. But the FSSA continues to put this vital lifeline at risk. 

“Threatening providers with $200 million in clawbacks, while simultaneously requiring pre-approval of billings before payment is issued, risks driving these providers out of business. The result won’t be a more efficient, better system. It will be families left without care or options. 

“I reject this approach to ‘blame all for the actions of the few.’ If fraud exists, pursue those bad actors. But we cannot slash and burn an entire program that vulnerable people depend upon. 

“The correct course of action is a comprehensive performance audit of the Attendant Care program. We don’t need a politically motivated audit that seeks a predetermined outcome. Indiana should pursue bad actors, but we can’t lose sight of those lives that depend on these life-saving services.”

Porter: ‘Braun should suspend the excise tax’

Earlier this month, Gov. Mike Braun announced a 30-day suspension of the 17.2-cent sales tax on gasoline, leaving the 36-cent excise tax in place. According to Braun, legislative action is needed to suspend the excise tax. However, an analysis by the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) found nothing in statutory law or case law to confirm that the governor lacks the authority to suspend excise tax without legislative agreement.

“I support the sales tax suspension, but Hoosiers need more than a couple of dollars,” State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) said. “Prices have started to fall. But gas is expected to stay above $3 a gallon for the rest of the year. Prices go up like a rocket and come down like a feather. 

“Braun should suspend the excise tax. There’s nothing in the Indiana code or the constitution stopping him, only precedent. Suspending the excise and sales tax would save 53.2 cents a gallon. If you have a 16-gallon tank, that’s around $9 saved. 

“Indiana can afford this tax break, especially with the $700 million the governor will rake in with higher tolls. The ball is in the governor’s court.”

Porter thankful for CCDF funding, concerned about the closure of 300 providers

Today, April 14, Gov. Mike Braun announced that he will augment the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth (FROG) Fund to expand enrollment for Child Care and Development Fund vouchers (CCDF). Provider reimbursement rates will not increase, continuing the 10% to 35% rate cuts. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement

“I’m glad that Gov. Braun has finally recognized the need for action. He has finally heard the pleas of Indiana’s working parents, whose calls got louder after his reimbursement rate cuts. The legislature nudged Braun multiple times, including with my bill, House Bill 1026. 

“But the damage has been done. Since September, almost 300 providers have closed, 221 of which closed as a direct result of CCDF cuts. They can't just reopen their doors. Lower reimbursement rates still mean parents must cover a chunk of the cost. This does nothing to lower the exorbitant cost of care for the majority of families who don’t qualify for CCDF.

“This is a step up the ladder, but we’re still in the hole.” 

Rep. Porter’s House Bill 1026 included a “shall,” not the “may” provision in Senate Bill 4, for the augmentation of the FROG fund. The bill did not receive a hearing.

Porter statement on the gas tax suspension

Today, Gov. Mike Braun announced a 30-day suspension of the 7% sales tax on gasoline. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“This is what Hoosiers need. They’re getting slammed by bills left and right, and now gas is over $4 a gallon. With an expected $5 billion surplus by 2027, we can afford to give Hoosiers this sales tax break. We need to make sure these savings are passed on to consumers, not just distributors.

“The White House created this problem with its unfocused military campaign in Iran, but Indiana Republicans undoubtedly made it worse. Statehouse Republicans, including then-Rep. Braun voted to raise the gas tax in 2017. Now, Indiana consistently ranks among the states with the highest total tax at the pump. That’s why House Democrats pushed for a suspension back in 2022. 

“While I support this suspension, it’s not lost on me that it’s mostly political posturing. Braun touts' affordability but continues to fly around in his taxpayer-funded helicopter. He wants to build the Mid-States Corridor, which costs $3 billion. He’s hit families hard with his reimbursement rate cuts to the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers. This is about making themselves seem like problem solvers without addressing the root cause.” 

Porter: ‘This is a slap in the face to the Martindale-Brightwood community’

Yesterday, April 1, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission approved the Metrobloks Data Center in the Martindale-Brightwood community. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) spoke at the commission meeting on behalf of his constituents. 

Porter released the following statement: 

“This is a slap in the face to the Martindale-Brightwood community. They did what they’re supposed to do: contacted their local officials, protested, and spoke in one voice. Residents worked diligently to add a quality-of-life plan to the proposal. But they were ignored. 

“Profits cannot come before people. Economic development shouldn’t come at the expense of working families' well-being. Big tech oligarchs shouldn’t be the ones rapidly reshaping our local communities. 

“We know little about the environmental impact, little about the impact on utilities and whether residents will even benefit from these new jobs. Already high electric bills could get even higher. As elected officials, we have an obligation to stand with our people. We have an obligation to protect our communities from profit-driven developers whose sole allegiance is to shareholders. 

“Indy’s eastside deserves thoughtful, community-focused development, not speculative projects that offer limited benefits and long-term consequences.” 

Porter encourages Braun to reverse the CCDF cuts immediately

Now that Gov. Braun has signed Senate Enrolled Act 4 into law, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) encourages him to immediately reverse the cuts to the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program. 

SEA 4 authorizes the State Budget Agency to augment the program from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth Fund. The provision is a “may,” not a “shall,” giving the administration the choice to release the funding. Porter’s House Bill 1026 included a “shall” provision, but the bill did not receive a hearing.

“The decision to help these little kids is in the governor's hands," Porter said. "The legislature nudged him, but he has the ultimate choice. I think it’s an easy one. 

“Child care facilities are closing across the state. Parents are unable to work. Young people are reconsidering starting families because they lack a support system. It takes a village, and the state has to be a villager. 

“This administration has $465 million in Medicaid savings. Republicans opened the budget for the One Big Bad Bill. Our kids got little this session: no funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, no funding for Pre-K, ABA cuts, restrictions to SNAP and a ‘may’ provision for CCDF.

“I encourage Gov. Braun to make the right choice and reverse the CCDF cuts immediately.” 

Porter comments on the governor’s new power to appoint members of the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee

Today, Feb.26, Indiana House Republicans concurred with the Senate changes to House Bill 1033, sending the bill to the governor’s desk. HB 1033 changes the selection process for judges in Marion County by removing local legal groups from their seats on the 14-member Marion County Judicial Selection Committee. The governor will have the power to appoint two replacements. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“The meddling in Marion County never stops. We lost the power to elect our own judges, and now we’re losing our local voices on the selection committee. This is not happening anywhere else. Whose county is next? 

“Indianapolis is a majority-minority community. The Black community has a different, strained relationship with the criminal justice system. Our Black judges and lawyers have been essential to navigating that relationship. 

“I don’t trust Gov. Braun to understand those intricacies. He’s never walked a day in our shoes. A minority-majority community could end up with a panel of all white judges. It’s judicial Jim Crow.

“Republicans are making it clear: they don’t want anyone to stand up and push back. They have to hold every single ounce of power, replacing IU alumni-elected trustees and now members of our judicial selection committee. Fall in line or get removed and replaced.”

Porter: ‘We can fight fraud without impacting Hoosiers’ coverage’

Today, Feb.23, the Indiana House Republicans passed Senate Bill 1. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“Indiana has two diverging views of Medicaid. Republicans see Medicaid as an undesired welfare program that’s draining revenue growth. We see it as a necessary form of health insurance for low-income Hoosiers.

“Yet the two views agree: We don’t want Medicaid fraud. I want the public to believe in the necessity of Medicaid, and fraud puts the public’s support at risk.

“But we can fight fraud without impacting Hoosiers’ coverage. Republicans are filling the rule books with more income checks, more applications, and more paperwork to catch potential cheaters. I offered amendments to track how many people will needlessly lose services, but Republicans don’t want to know. 

“Adding barriers to enrollment might deter fraudsters, and it will surely deter eligible Hoosiers. We can make reasonable efforts to prevent fraud, but those efforts are concerning when they'll result in losses of coverage for eligible Hoosiers.”

Porter bill increasing awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia heads to governor’s desk

Yesterday, Feb. 17, the Indiana Senate passed House Bill 1029, sending it to the governor’s desk. The bill increases public awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia through educational outreach. The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) would need to add information to its website, include the two diseases in its existing public health campaigns and develop training opportunities for health care providers. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“This isn’t a partisan issue. Alzheimer’s and dementia don’t see political party, race or economic class. These diseases affect everyone. That’s why education is so important. The more you know, the more you can do.

“Up to 35% of dementia cases are preventable. Young people need to know that information. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, can make a big difference. Middle-aged Hoosiers need to know the signs, since early detection is critical. 

“This is also about helping families provide dignified care to our seniors. When I first started caring for my late mother, there was so much I didn’t know. I didn’t know how to handle her mood changes or her confusion. I learned as I cared for her. But the more we educate; the better prepared people are to care for their loved ones. 

“I’m thankful that this bill is headed to the governor’s desk. I know this will make a difference in seniors' lives and the public’s welfare.“ 

Porter passes amendment increasing financial transparency at Miami Correctional Facility

Today, Feb. 10, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) successfully amended Senate Bill 76. Porter’s amendment requires the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) to report how much money was spent or made from its 287(g) agreement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report must include information about the $15.79 million allocated for the detention center at Miami Correctional Facility. 

Porter released the following statement: 

“This is about fiscal oversight and transparency. Republicans opened the budget and gave the IDOC $15.8 million for a detention center. That money could have been spent on the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) or the other waiver waitlists. We need an update on how that money is being spent, especially since it’s in partnership with ICE. 

“We’re watching ICE violate people’s constitutional rights on the national news. Every dollar the state spends on that organization needs oversight. I don’t want this to be like the IEDC, where Republicans give millions away and have no interest in following the paper trail.

“To me, the most frightening thing is that the state could profit from this agreement. The state is relying on the number of detainees and the per diem rate for reimbursement. It’s an incentive to lock up as many people as possible to get as much money as possible. 

“We have a responsibility to be good fiscal stewards with taxpayers' money. I’m grateful Republicans chose transparency today.”