Porter votes no on House Republican state budget

Today, Feb. 20, the House passed the state budget with a vote of 66 to 27. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), the ranking minority member of the House Ways and Means Committee, voted no on House Bill 1001. 

Porter released the following statement on his no-vote: 

“I cannot in good conscience support this budget proposal from the majority party. When we drill down to the foundation of the bill, it’s not solid by any means. It’s not sound because so many cornerstones, essential programs for Hoosiers, are absent or underfunded. 

“This proposal will not move our state forward, in fact, it may pull us backward. The funding for K-12 will not support our schools. Medicaid is hanging in the balance from potential federal cuts. Local public health programs that support our mothers and daughters will receive less funding. 

“We need a budget that provides the greatest good for the greatest number. This is not a budget for the greatest good of the people.” 

House Republicans strike down ‘A Budget for the People’

On Feb. 19, House Republicans rejected efforts by the Indiana House Democratic Caucus to craft a state budget that truly supports Hoosiers. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) presented the proposal, which was offered as a master amendment to House Bill 1001. The amendment would have boosted programs centered on public health, K-12 education and more while still providing balanced tax relief. 

“The people spoke,” Porter said. “They did what they were supposed to do. They came to this legislative body and pleaded for the funding they needed in this budget. Once again, those pleas fell on the deaf ears of a supermajority.”  

Porter’s master amendment includes:

1. Protecting Medicaid:

1. Providing an additional $300 million for the Medicaid program to cushion potential federal cuts.

2. Increasing the cigarette tax to fund 5,000 slots for the PathWays for Aging Waiver and 5,000 slots for the Health and Wellness Waiver. 

3. Protecting the C.H.O.I.C.E. program and increasing its allocation to $55 million per year. 

2. Supporting our Children: 

1. Providing at least a true 2% increase to all schools. 

2. Making the On My Way Pre-K program universal by increasing the income eligibility threshold to 400% of the federal poverty level.  

3. Providing $8 million to continue Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

4. Restoring the Health First Indiana program to its 2023 allocation of $150 million. 

3. Creating Balanced Tax Relief: 

1. Increasing the income tax credit from 10% to 12%. 

2. Increasing the renter’s deduction from $3,000 to $4,000. 

4. Fighting for Financial Equity: 

1. Restoring the Indiana Commission for Women with an allocation of close to $227,000. 

2. Restoring the Commission of Race and Gender Fairness with an allocation of roughly $1.8 million, of which $500,000 is used to provide court interpreters for non-English speakers. 

5. Improving Quality of Life 

1. Preserving our outdoors with $30 million for trails and $25 million for land preservation.

2. Increasing the funding for our veteran's service organizations by $1.6 million.   

“Our budget would have helped Hoosiers during these unprecedented times,” Porter said. “From education to public health, we can do more to grow the quality of life in our state. Their vote against this proposal was a vote against Hoosiers.” 

Porter introduces ‘A Budget for the People’

Today, Feb. 18, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), presented the Indiana House Democratic Caucus’ budget proposal in his master amendment to House Bill 1001. The caucus’ goal is to reinstate critical programs cut by the Republican supermajority while prioritizing the desires of Hoosiers–including fully funding K-12 public education, protecting Medicaid and providing for our veterans. 

Porter pointed to several highlights of the House Democratic budget proposal that Hoosiers spoke out about during the budget process, including: 

• An additional $300 million for the Medicaid program to protect Hoosiers from potential federal cuts. 

• Eliminating the waitlists for the PathWays for Aging Waiver and the Health and Wellness Waiver to ensure health care coverage for roughly 11,000 Hoosiers. 

• Providing at least a true 2% increase to ALL schools. 

• Increasing the allocation for the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans service organizations. 

• Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit from 10% to 12% and increasing the Renter’s Deduction from $3,000 to $4,000. 

• Making the On My Way Pre-K program universal. 

He also pointed out worrisome inclusions in the Republican budget, including:

• Traditional public schools would only get a 1.3% increase since the funding would be shared with the voucher program and charter schools. Many school districts would receive cuts. 

• Zero funding for the College Success Program (CSP), which benefits Indiana’s minority and low-income college students. 

• A cut of $50 million in the Health First Indiana Program, which was used by Indiana’s counties to improve their local health programs. 

• Zero funding to continue Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

• Increasing the amount virtual charter schools receive from 85% to 100%, putting Hoosiers’ hard-earned dollars at risk. Two virtual charters were sued by the state to recoup $154 million, and the trial is still ongoing. 

“You spoke. We listened. We acted,” Porter said. “The House Democrat state budget has one purpose in mind: to help our people. It’s the inherent purpose of this body to help Hoosiers and improve their quality of life. That purpose extends to how we spend our money. It’s taxpayer’s money and it should be spent on programs they want. The state is simply the holder of the purse strings.  

“For the past couple of years, our government has operated like a corporation. We’re investing in massive development projects, kicking people off their health care plans to cut costs and cutting our agencies by 5% while those in charge get a 150% raise. We need to prioritize K-12 public education, Medicaid and other programs that improve quality of life. Let’s create a state budget for the people that truly benefits them.”   

Porter unimpressed with House Republican budget, thankful for the reinstatement of critical commissions

Today, Feb. 17, the House Ways and Means Committee amended and passed House Bill 1001 along partisan lines 14-7. The main topic of discussion was Chairman Jeff Thompson’s (R-Lizton) amendment to the proposed budget. The committee accepted one amendment from State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D–Indianapolis) that restores the 15% cut to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), reinstates the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission (INAIAC) and provides a $1 million increase for the Minority Health Initiative. 

“First off, I am thankful my amendment passed to restore critical funding to the ICRC, reinstate the INAIAC and provide some additional dollars for minority health. This state budget has to include provisions for all Hoosiers, including our marginalized communities. 

“But the majority’s amendment is lackluster and leaves a lot to be desired. The funding for our K-12 public schools is inadequate with many corporations receiving cuts. Higher education is flat-funded even though our college-going rate is a dismal 53%. There’s no mention of the roughly 10,000 vulnerable Hoosiers on the Medicaid waitlists. There’s no money for our trails or land preservation. 

“Money is tight, but we should prioritize funding for programs that benefit Hoosiers. We have a long way to go until this budget is truly beneficial.”  

Porter calls for the reinstatement of funding for the Imagination Library

Today, Feb. 6, the House Ways and Means Committee is hearing public testimony on Gov. Braun’s “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal, House Bill 1001. The budget proposal does not renew funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parton’s early literacy program mails free books to children from infancy to five regardless of income, location and other factors. The program started in Indiana with a matching grant of $6 million in 2023. 

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

“Dolly Parton is arguably one of America’s biggest superstars. She has a cherished place in our country’s cultural history not only as a musician but also as a philanthropist. Many families' lives have been changed through one of her charitable works, especially with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

“Our state was blessed to join this program in 2023 through a $6 million matching grant. This literacy program mails a book a month directly to our Hoosier kids. By growing up in a home full of books, our young children practice their reading skills and foster a love of learning. 

“Now, without explanation, Gov. Braun chose not to renew the Library’s funding. This great program truly could be one-and-done. This administration’s cynical move is to defund a program centered on literacy and imagination. Our children will be left with their imagination but no library. Rest assured, House Dems will work ‘9 to 5’ to reinstate Dolly Parton’s library in the state budget.” 

Porter: ‘Preserving our history is not a partisan issue‘

On Thursday, Jan. 16, Gov. Mike Braun presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). Even though the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is not included in the state budget, the Braun Administration has moved to terminate the state’s contract with the institution. The contract allows the IHS to pay a minimal fee for their lease to the state, and in return, the state pays for its operational maintenance costs–close to $1 million per year.

As the Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) will continue to call attention to cuts in state funding clearly related to a divisive, partisan agenda. Porter released the following statement about the plan to terminate the IHS contract: 

“Unfortunately, Braun's divisive cuts don’t stop at defunding critical programs for minorities in the budget. Now, his administration is cutting contracts. They’ve moved to eliminate our contract with the Indiana Historical Society, the primary repository for our state’s rich historical record.

“The IHS has always highlighted and celebrated the diverse ethnic and racial history of our state, especially during Black History Month. Right now, they have an exhibit called ‘Resist’ about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in 1930s Indiana. They also provide crucial education about the Holocaust and the life of Eva Kor.

“Now the IHS will have to come up with an additional $1 million each year. They’ll potentially have to cut exhibits, raise the cost of admission or cut certain events. Ending the contract puts the IHS in a fiscal bind.

“We also need clarification on the termination. The original contract was created in 2007 and was intended to last until 2098. It’s unusual for the state to terminate a contract unless there’s been fraudulent activity. This is a deviance in the way our state does business, and it’s a bad faith move that tells vendors we’ll cancel contracts with no explanation. Curiously, this is the contract that’s being terminated when we’re still paying a contractor for our Medicaid forecasts who’s responsible for the $1 billion mistake. 

“This is yet another move by Braun that will harm Hoosiers by putting the preservation of our history at risk. History is not a partisan issue. In my experience, those who berate history refuse to acknowledge the evils that exist within it.”

Porter comments on Braun’s decision to eliminate Commission on Race and Gender Fairness from his budget

On Thursday, Jan. 16, Gov. Mike Braun presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). This budget eliminates funding for the Commission of Race and Gender Fairness. The 2023 budget allocated close to $880,000 per year of the biennium for this commission, and $500,000 of this yearly allocation is used for court interpreters. 

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

“I continue to delve deeper into Braun’s budget proposal, and each time I find something new that’s disturbing. He has once again demonstrated that one of his priorities is slashing programs that benefit minority populations. I fear those ordering these decisions fail to understand the unintended consequences this has on Hoosiers.

“Eliminating this commission will make it immensely difficult for non-English speakers to make their case in our judicial system. Indiana courts are required by law to provide interpreters, but they’ll struggle to do this without adequate funding. We have non-English speakers living in Indiana, and they have a right to a fair trial like their English-speaking peers. Everybody deserves a timely, equitable trial in our court of law regardless of their background. 

“This decision is an intrusion into the judicial branch, which is made more troubling by Braun’s increased funding for prosecutors. The number of prosecutors and potential prosecutions will increase, but protections in our criminal justice system are being eroded. There’s been a clear path of this administration that’s extremely troublesome to Hoosiers. From cutting funding from commissions that fight discrimination to not renewing Martin University’s funding. 

“These decisions hinder lawmakers, like me, from creating real economic relief for Hoosiers. These moves don’t lower the price of rent, gas or eggs. I’ll continue fighting tooth and nail to protect historical progress while still working on tangible relief for Hoosiers.” 

Porter comments on Braun eliminating funding for Indiana’s only predominantly Black university

On Thursday, Jan. 16, Gov. Mike Braun presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). The budget includes zero funding for Martin University, Indiana’s only predominantly Black institution of higher education, and the College Success Program. In the 2023 budget, Martin University and the CSP each received an allocation of $5 million.

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

“The active intervention to end or attack anything in the budget that gives state dollars to people of color is sickening. I won’t mince my words: It’s racist. Black Hoosiers and other minorities pay taxes, so we deserve to benefit from the state budget as much as our white counterparts.

“Martin University is Indiana’s only predominately Black institution. The only reason why it’s not an official HBCU is because it’s relatively young. Now they will receive zero state dollars, which is a complete cut from 2023. He also cut the College Success Program, which encourages minority and first-generation, low-income students to attend college. That means a total of $10 million in support for minority students has been eliminated. 

“This is wrong on so many levels. The last administration realized that this funding would give students of color an equal chance at success. It was less than a century ago when Black students couldn’t live in dorms, had to eat on separate sides of the dining room and couldn’t swim in the university pool. It also benefitted Indiana’s workforce since Martin University directed the money towards STEM education.

“Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students. No matter how hard they work, they’ll have the rug pulled out from under them. Even Trump paid lip service to HBCUs in his first term, which makes zeroing out these funds even more disturbing. Just like his other budget decisions, Braun continues to push his hostile, hateful agenda no matter who it harms.” 

Porter comments on Braun defunding multiple essential commissions

On Thursday, Jan. 16, Gov. Mike Braun presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). The budget includes eliminating funding for the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission (INAIAC) and the Indiana Commission for Women (ICW). State funding for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) would be cut by $600,000 over the biennium. 

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

“I’m truly disappointed and flabbergasted that Gov. Braun eliminated funding for these commissions without explanation. The INAIAC and the ICW will receive no funding, and the ICRC will have its funding cut by $600,000. These cuts will only save $1 million–basically pocket change in the billion-dollar budget game. This isn’t based on financial austerity, especially since Braun’s budget proposal would raise our estimated state surplus by $300 million. It’s not about saving money; it's about proliferating the various culture wars tearing America apart. 

“Defunding these commissions rubs more salt into the wound of eliminating DEI. All three of these commissions serve people of various backgrounds with specific interests. The ICRC is our alarm system for discrimination in housing, employment and so much more. We know discrimination still exists in Indiana even if my Republican colleagues continue to bury their heads in the sand. Thankfully, federal civil rights laws remain in effect no matter what Braun does in our state. 

”Hoosier women still lack equal pay, paid maternity leave and equal access to health care. The ICW is essential to progressing these issues and improving the lives of our daughters, wives and mothers. Our state name reflects the history and bloodshed of the Miami Nation and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. The INAIAC ensures we celebrate their cultural contributions, and that we remember their brutal, forced removal. By defunding this commission, Indiana will deny these nations’ validation but continue to profit from their existence. Our state makes tens of millions of dollars from the Pokagon Band’s execution of the 2021 Gaming Compact. With the Braun budget, not a single penny will be devoted to the benefit of Hoosier Native Americans.  

“These moves are ill-timed, imprudent and downright embarrassing. Indiana is diverse, and the General Assembly represents men and women of all colors and ethnicities. As the Governor's budget is filed, the author of House Bill 1001 must show common decency in restoring these programs and funding to the previous level.” 

Porter comments on Gov. Braun’s budget proposal

Today, Jan. 16, Gov. Mike Braun's team presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). 

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

“I’ll give him credit where it’s due. There are a couple of things he proposed that House Democrats support. He wants to put an end to the IEDC’s blank check by not re-upping two of their funds and eliminating the other two. I’ve abstained from voting to confirm the SBC agenda multiple times due to millions of dollars in non-transparent IEDC requests. I’m supportive of fully funding the 76,000 children on the waitlist for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF).

“But a majority of his budget, I cannot and will not support. By ‘doing more with less,’ spending will be cut for programs Hoosiers desperately need. There was no school funding formula, and his proposed $9 billion would not cover a 2% increase for K-12 education. He wants to cut our grants for public health, flat-line food banks and CHOICE and cut each agency by 5% with no exemptions. We’re not renewing the READI grants which helped fund vital infrastructure and public works in our rural communities. It sounds like we’re doing less with less. 

“Under this budget, Indiana will continue to be among the worst states for quality of life. We will continue to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy over the needs of the middle and working class. It doesn’t matter if we live in a low-tax state if you can’t afford a house or find a job to be taxed on. 

“I’m not in the interest of cutting spending simply because of sentiment on Capitol Hill when Indiana is doing leaps and bounds better with positive revenue growth and a robust surplus. Our social programs, like Medicaid, are growing in enrollment because Hoosiers need them. We can craft a budget that provides for our communities while still being fiscally responsible.” 

Porter comments on Comptroller’s mistake affecting $20 million in funding for Gary, East Chicago, Michigan City and Hammond

Today, Jan. 15, the Indiana State Comptroller, previously called the State Auditor, testified in front of the House Ways and Means Committee. During the testimony, it was revealed that the office failed to properly distribute deficiency payments to certain communities. The City of Gary will be required to pay $20 million to East Chicago, Michigan City and potentially Hammond due to this mistake. 

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

“I’ve served for several decades, and this is not the first time our comptroller has made an egregious error. I’m getting déjà vu since two accounting errors were made by the executive branch, the Department of Revenue and the auditor in 2011 and 2012. The state corporate income tax and local income taxes were collected, put into certain accounts and then lost. We couldn’t find over $500 million that we needed for the budget. We had to hire a private accounting firm to find that funding.  

“Now, the same type of mistake has happened. Two casinos were moved from Gary to I-94 impacting existing casinos in Hammond, East Chicago and Michigan City. To mitigate potential revenue losses, the legislature chose to provide the affected communities with deficiency payments from 2022 to 2025. 

“The state comptroller never triggered these payments. Now we’re scrambling to get these communities close to $20 million. If the law does not change, the funding will be taken from Gary slashing their 2025 budget of $66 million by close to a third. 

“Again, I don’t know why there was a lapse in practice despite spending thousands for a firm to prevent additional errors. I’m sure this mess will be cleaned up, and communities will receive their entitled funds. 

“But a couple of things must be guaranteed. Gary, who is not at fault, should be able to repay the funds over several years, preferably through a 20-year rainy-day loan with no interest. Michigan City and East Chicago should receive an immediate one-time payment from the state including interest. Why shortchange our cities when the state didn’t do its job? Since House Democrats represent all of the affected communities, it’s only right that we have a seat at the table in crafting a solution.”

Porter comments on Republican initiatives to make vouchers universal

Last month, Gov.-elect Mike Braun released his 2025 policy agenda, including extending universal school choice to all families. Leadership for House Republicans has indicated their support for Braun’s agenda. Universal expansion would eliminate the income threshold for Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program, allowing the use of taxpayer dollars for private school tuition. 

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

”In the 2023 budget, Republicans made the voucher program nearly universal. Around 97% of Hoosier families currently qualify since the limit is a family of four making $220,000 a year. We knew they wanted to eliminate the income thresholds. They want the wealthiest Hoosiers to send their kids to school with taxpayers' hard-earned dollars. 

"Millionaires don’t need to utilize a program we created for lower-income families. This program started to provide working Hoosiers with educational opportunities even if they couldn't afford it. If you make over $500,000, you can afford to pay for your child's private school tuition. They don't need this funding. They want this funding and that difference should be clear. This is essentially a $6,000 tax cut per student for multi-millionaires and technically billionaires.  

“A tenured Education Committee member has stated that the cost of expansion would be minimal, around $11 to $12 million. The real cost would be closer to $200 million: $88.6 million in 2026 and $94.7 million in 2027. These numbers equal the 1% increase we normally give to our public schools. In the budget game, this is not a minimal amount of money. 

“The opportunity cost with this funding is massive. We could triple the size of On My Way Pre-K, or we could support families in need of child care assistance. Better yet we could put that money toward solving our problem with Medicaid funding. Public money belongs in public spaces. Point blank, period.”