Klinker to focus on education funding and cost of living this session
On Monday, Jan. 5, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus announced its 2026 Working Hoosiers Agenda. The agenda centers on bringing down the cost of living by reducing utility bills, lowering health care costs, creating homeownership opportunities and helping parents fund affordable child care.
State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette), who represents Indiana House District 27, released the following statement:
“Many of our folks are being priced out of the American dream. The average age of a first-time homebuyer in Indiana is now 40, illustrating the barriers our young people face. Many are rationing their prescriptions to pay bills. We need to lower costs and give folks some much-needed breathing room.”
In addition to the caucus agenda, Klinker filed five pieces of legislation to improve the lives of residents of her community. HB 1170 would strengthen K-12 public education by increasing the minimum starting salary for teachers from $40,000 to $60,000.
“Our teachers are rapidly leaving the profession due to low, uncompetitive pay,” Klinker said. “ Indiana is struggling to attract teachers from out of state, and many of our students are pursuing better-paying jobs. The amount our educators are making is not reflective of the important role they play in our communities. A child’s future starts in the classroom. We need to support our educators and our public schools by increasing the minimum starting salary to $60,000.”
HB 1169 increases the college savings tax credit from $1,500 to $2,500 for the Indiana529 savings plan. Klinker sponsored legislation in 1997 that helped create the savings plan.
“Many of our students who want to earn their degree are being priced out of it,” Klinker said. “Pursuing their dreams results in thousands of dollars in debt. That’s why the state should help families save for the future. We should support families who prepare financially with an Indiana529 plan through an increased tax credit.”
A full list of Klinker’s legislation is below:
Supports Indiana’s veterans, or their surviving spouses, with a property tax deduction of up to $14,000 (HB 1168).
Increases the college savings tax credit from $1,500 to $2,500 to support families who are planning for their child’s future (HB 1169).
Strengthens K-12 public education by increasing starting teacher pay to $60,000 (HB 1170).
Creates the Epilepsy Foundation Trust License Plate (HB 1171). This bill was requested by a member of the Lafayette community.
Take steps to end Indiana’s rape kit backlog by requiring law enforcement to report the total number of untested kits, their testing timeline, etc. (HB 1172).
See the full Working Hoosiers Agenda below:
Priority 1: Provide immediate financial relief on utility bills
Eliminate the sales tax on residential utility use.
Protect Hoosiers from being overcharged by limiting excessive utility company profit margins.
Pause skyrocketing rate hikes.
Get big utilities out of politics by ending the appointment of political friends to consumer watchdog positions and banning spending on political contributions and gifts.
Priority 2: Keep Hoosiers healthy through affordable health coverage and guardrails on medical debt
Cap insurance premiums.
Implement a state health exchange.
Stop medical debt from impacting credit score.
Priority 3: Create generational wealth by empowering more Hoosier homeowners
Help Hoosiers save for their first home by creating tax-free savings accounts for home purchases.
Establish a first-time homebuyer grant program funded by a tax on investor-owned properties.
Institute a property tax credit to deliver real and immediate relief for homeowners.
Priority 4: Deliver accessible, affordable and safe child care for working families
Create a public-private partnership program to split child care costs between employers, the state of Indiana and parents.
Save families money through a child care tax credit.
Fully fund Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers to keep daycare centers open and parents at work.
Priority 5: Keep Hoosiers safe in their homes and neighborhoods
Fund the police, fire, and EMS by taking Senate Enrolled Act 1 back to the drawing board and inviting more public input.
Keep violent offenders off the streets.
“It’s an honor to represent Indiana House District 27,” Klinker said. “I’m grateful for every opportunity to represent the Tippecanoe County community. I love living in Lafayette, which is home to my family and my alma mater, Purdue University. This city has been a wonderful home for me and my beloved late husband, Vic, our three children and grandchildren. I want our area to continue to be a great place to live and raise a family.”