House Democrats on the final budget: ‘Handouts for the wealthy instead of a hand up for working families’
Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the budget to the governor’s desk. House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) and Ranking Minority Member of the House Ways and Means Committee State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) voted against the bill.
“This year’s Republican budget is a bad deal for working people, plain and simple,” GiaQuinta said. “The budget prioritizes the growth of private school vouchers and charter schools over traditional public schools. It reduces the number of Hoosiers able to qualify for On My Way Pre-K. It cuts public health funding, even though research has shown that the program paid for itself in improved health outcomes during its first eight months. It eliminates other beloved programs, like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and PBS funding. The economy is teetering on the edge of a crisis thanks to President Trump’s tariffs. This GOP budget does nothing to shield hard-working Hoosiers from a potential recession.”
“For Hoosiers’ sake, I hope the economy improves because working and middle-class families will bear the brunt of these cuts,” Porter said. “We’re up against a deficit, but this budget prioritizes the wrong things. The wealthy are getting handouts instead of the average Hoosier getting a hand up. The proof is in the pudding. Prioritizing universal vouchers while defunding local public health speaks for itself. My biggest worry is for our public schools and how they’ll stay afloat. They’re getting a minimal increase but will be hit with massive property tax losses. Republicans have not looked out for working Hoosiers and their families this legislative session.”
House Democrats' concerns with the budget include:
Traditional public school funding increases by only 3.3% in 2026 and 1.6% in 2027, which doesn't keep up with inflation. This number is also inflated given the fact that $160 million that must be used for textbook costs is included in the so-called funding increase.
Education experiments, however, receive a larger-than-inflation funding increase.
Brick-and-mortar charters will receive a 4.8% increase in 2026 and a 3.7% increase in 2027 and virtual charters will increase by 14.2% in 2026 and 9% in 2027.
Traditional public schools will have limited state funding growth while losing $744 million in property tax revenue due to the effects of Senate Enrolled Act 1.
Private school vouchers will become universal in 2027. Vouchers will increase by 10.1% in 2026 and 23.4% in 2027.
Decreasing the eligibility level for On My Way Pre-K from 150% of the federal poverty level to 135% of the federal poverty level. Fewer working families will be eligible to qualify for pre-K.
Cutting the budget for the Commission for Higher Education (CHE), reducing students’ scholarships.
Reducing the funding for the Health First Indiana program to $80 million, a $145 million cut from the 2023 biennial budget.
Increasing the funding for Real Alternatives, a scammy organization that preys on pregnant women. Real Alternatives poses as women's health clinics but in fact spreads misinformation and offers no privacy-protected medical care to women.
Putting the Indiana University Board of Trustees completely under the control of the governor by eliminating the alumni-elected trustee positions.
Defunding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program, which provides free, age-appropriate books to children from infancy to five.
Eliminating funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) TV and radio.
No funding for trails or other quality of life projects.