Porter questions cost of the IDOC’s ‘Speedway Slammer’

Today, Aug. 11, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) sent a letter to the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) inquiring about its 287(g) agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Indiana will detain immigrants at Miami Correctional Facility, which DHS has called the “Speedway Slammer.”

“Besides being adamantly opposed to this detention center, I’m confused about where we’re getting the money,” Porter said. “IDOC was short on funds for this budget. They’re still paying our counties for the $12 million owed in back payments. The IDOC and our law enforcement are walking on a fiscal tightrope. 

“The DHS has promised to fully fund the facility, but it’s hard to believe they’ll use no state dollars. That means they can’t use our correctional officers, cars or a single bed sheet. I want to see the receipts. And I don’t want to see a penny of the $300 million we saved used for this purpose. We were $2 billion short for the budget; hundreds of people have been laid off and social services were slashed. Hoosiers should come before Trump. 

“Finances aside, I’m outraged by the inhumanity of the moniker the ‘Speedway Slammer.’ People deserve to be treated with compassion, dignity and respect. The name is also a slap in the face to IndyCar, which is trying to grow its fan base. It puts the Indianapolis 500 at risk, which contributes a billion dollars annually to our economy. For all his supposed business acumen, Braun's comfortable with inserting controversy into our state's biggest event. 

“Hoosiers deserve to know where their money is going, and everyone deserves respect.” 

Porter comments on the Republican storm, fiscal closeout report

Today, Indiana released its 2025 fiscal year-end closeout report. The state ends the fiscal year $172 million above forecast – $160 million is due to changes in the timing of collections for the Pass Through Entity Tax (PTET). Not including collection changes to PTET, Indiana finishes within $10 million of its forecast. Even with positive revenues, money is expected to be tight for 2026 and 2027, continuing the biennial budget’s 7% reduction in government spending on critical services. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), a member of the State Budget Committee and Ranking Democrat on the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement:

“Coming in around forecast is a positive, especially with economic turbulence affecting our revenues in April. We bounced back in late June due to changes in collections. But there’s still a big question mark for 2026 and 2027. 

“This report doesn’t include the billions we’re going to lose from the Big Ugly Betrayal. We're going to lose $23 billion in Medicaid funding and need $196 million to fund SNAP. 

“Indiana has a rainy day fund, but it can’t weather the Republican storm. Families surely can’t weather the fallout. We’re slashing services, divesting from public schools and the federal government is cutting funding. Our shrinking surplus and flat revenues won’t cover all of our losses. We’ve got to sit down and think: What’s Indiana’s overall economic strategy? Because Republicans don’t have one. If they do, it doesn’t prioritize Hoosier families. 

“The majority’s two plans have been to hoard dollars in the surplus or to throw them at a non-transparent development project. Neither of these options has been successful. Our small towns and big cities haven’t seen any benefits, manufacturing jobs still declined and the cost-of-living crisis has continued. 

“When it rains, it pours, and a little money in the bank won’t save us from the storm on the horizon.” 

Porter comments on legislative inaction with impacts coming from the One Big Beautiful Bill

Last week, Statehouse leadership selected topics for legislators' interim study committees. Topics related to state revenue, Indiana’s Medicaid program, student loans or energy and utilities were not selected. If the One Big Beautiful Bill passes, Indiana could see drastic changes in funding and regulations for state programs. 

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

 “There are some valuable study topics this year, but there are a lot of missed opportunities. Indiana’s seeing cuts from the revenue shortfall, and the sword is hanging over our head with the One Big ‘Beautiful’ Bill. But we’re not going to discuss how these cuts or potential changes impact Hoosiers. We don’t know what will be in the final version, but we know things will change. We also need to look into the impact of tariffs on our small businesses, farmers and factories. Indiana will be going into these changes blind. 

“We could lose nearly a trillion in federal Medicaid funding, but the Medicaid Oversight Committee isn’t meeting. We’re not going to discuss the changes to HIP 3.0, the implementation of work requirements or the FSSA’s plan for increased eligibility checks. None of my submissions to examine additional revenue streams were considered, including adjusting the alcohol tax, free play casinos, or a small tax on soda. Even a small tax increase could bring local public health funding back up to its original appropriation. 

“But we’re not going to look into solutions for the revenue shortfall. Even if our state revenues do rebound, the One Big ‘Beautiful’ could sink us again. There are several devastating problems we could have addressed this summer but chose otherwise. 

“Indiana’s at a fork in the road, and instead of continuing the journey, we’re stopping for a picnic.”   

Porter raises concerns about School for the Deaf amid budget cuts

With the end of the fiscal year approaching on July 1, agencies have finalized their operating budgets based on their appropriations for 2026. State Rep. Gregory Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement about budget cuts at the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD): 

“I’m utterly appalled by the Braun administration’s treatment of ISD. The school is in my district, so I’ve seen the time, devotion and thoughtfulness the faculty shows to their students. Generations of kids who are deaf or hard of hearing have received a quality, inclusive education from the institution. 

“A few weeks ago, parents reached out to my office about budget cuts at ISD. I couldn’t believe their messages. State budget cuts forced the ISD to lay off 26 employees, including nine teachers. One of the positions eliminated was an overnight nurse, even though kids as young as three stay in the dorms. The school had to cancel its annual summer camp, and teachers will be required to clean the school building after reductions in custodial staff.  Republicans are always saying that all schools deserve the same treatment. Hopefully, the majority is comfortable requiring teachers in their district to cut costs by scrubbing the floors to stay true to their saying. 

“This lack of respect for the ISD demonstrates the jarring viewpoint this administration has towards Hoosiers in need, as profit margins. Children can’t be equated to dollar signs on a piece of paper. It’s clear that running a government like a business means we lose our empathy in the process. 

"We can find the money. If Indiana can spend $655 million to build a new combined school for the blind and deaf, we can surely fully fund the ISD for the biennium.

"Due to my concerns, I will be submitting a letter to the chair of the State Budget Committee to ensure we discuss the ISD next meeting.  My previous request to the chair on June 18 received no response. I also encourage Gov. Braun to visit the institution, so he can see firsthand the incredible work of its faculty.” 

Porter comments on budget’s broken promises to Hoosier families

Today, June 18, the State Budget Committee met to discuss appropriations for the biennium. The meeting follows the announcement from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) that enrollment for the On My Way Pre-K program (OMWPK) will be capped at 2,500 slots due to budget constraints. Pre-K providers participating in the program will have their reimbursement capped at $147.82 per week. 

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding missed opportunities in the biennial budget:  

“Obviously, money was tight this budget, but I warned my colleagues about the impact of their misguided priorities. Gov. Braun initially proposed an appropriation of $101.3 million for OMWPK, which didn’t happen. He proposed an appropriation of $2 million for local child care assistance, which didn’t happen. He proposed $392 million for the Child Care Development Fund vouchers (CCDF) to eliminate the waitlist, which didn’t happen either. There were multiple missed opportunities, regardless of the revenue forecast, to prioritize and support our Hoosier families. 

“Instead, they moved forward with their $1.2 billion voucher expansion for Indiana’s wealthiest families. Republicans gave additional tax cuts for data centers and continued the individual income tax cuts, with average savings of $50 or less. Is this worth taking away pre-K or child care support for our working families? Indiana is the second-best state to start a business, but it won’t be for long if parents need to stay home to care for their kids because they can’t afford child care or pre-K. With the potential federal changes to Medicaid and Senate Enrolled Act 2, even more Hoosier parents could lose their health care, CCDF vouchers and other support systems.  

“Our governor is a successful businessman, so I’m certain he’s aware of the support parents need outside of the workplace. Sadly, Braun didn’t keep his promises and was bulldozed by other Republicans.”  

Porter calls for study of BMV data sales to protect Hoosiers’ privacy

Yesterday, May 5, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) signed onto a letter calling for the legislature to study data sales by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Each year, the BMV generates millions in revenue by selling Hoosiers’ personal information–individuals' date of birth, name, address, license plate number and more. Porter has authored legislation for the past two years that allows Hoosiers to opt out of data sales and protects seniors and teens. 

“Not only is the BMV legally selling people’s information, but Hoosiers don’t get a say in the matter. I’ve authored legislation for the past two years that allows individuals to opt out of data sales. But the bill has never received a hearing. We’re chipping away at the issue, and we’ve had some successes. Derived from my initial legislation, the BMV must make annual reports on the fees it charges and the revenue generated from data sales. We still need to tackle the issue as a whole. 

“Nobody should have their personal information sold without their consent. Most Hoosiers don’t even know their data is being sold to third parties. They sell it to towing companies, insurance agencies, debt collectors, auto dealers and more. We have no clue what these third parties do with the information after purchasing it. 

“Hoosiers value personal privacy. Now is the time to study this topic, so we can act next year.” 

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. 

Porter comments on budget unveiling: ‘No taxation without representation’

Today, April 23, Indiana House and Senate leadership and Gov. Mike Braun unveiled the final version of the state budget. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), a conferee for House Bill 1001, was not consulted for the conference committee report, which has not been made available to the public yet. The final budget includes recommendations made by Porter: increasing the cigarette tax to $2 a pack and utilizing the Pension Stabilization Fund. 

“Every year in this building, I hear that the Statehouse is nothing like Washington D.C.,” Porter said. “But these are empty words. This is the least transparent budget process in my legislative tenure. I was not consulted, and I was not told the contents of this budget until thirty minutes before it dropped. It’s disrespectful to my community and the millions of Hoosiers Democrats represent. 

“We represent Indiana’s districts with the highest tax revenue. You’re spending the hard-earned tax dollars of our communities without consulting their elected officials. What happened to no taxation without representation? 

“I wasn’t consulted, but ideas from my budget proposal are included. I proposed increasing the cigarette tax to increase revenue, and I’ve said we should use money from the Pension Stabilization Fund. The IEDC is getting a cut, and I abstained from voting on multiple budget committee agendas when they asked for millions with no transparency. Schools will get an average 2% increase, and they’ve paused the voucher program growth for a year. The most troublesome part is only giving $40 million to local public health initiatives, even though we’re going to ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again.’

“This has been a divisive, non-transparent process. Our communities deserve a seat at the table.” 

Porter celebrates 13th check, criticizes 5% cut

Today, April 23, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) signed the conference committee report for House Bill 1221 to provide teachers and public retirees with a 13th check for another year. However, the benefit amount for each tier will be cut by 5%. This cut is unrelated to the budget deficit since the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) has fully funded reserve accounts that cover the costs of 13th checks. 

Porter released the following statement: 

“For another year, our retirees will get a 13th check. But they’re getting less than what they deserve. Each tier will get a 5% cut, which is completely unnecessary. We have a $2 billion budget deficit, but our general fund doesn’t pay for 13th checks. 

“We have the money, and it’s sitting in the INPRS supplemental reserve account. We’re already doing these one-year makeup 13th checks, and now the amounts are being cut. Our retired teachers and valued public employees need this benefit. They’re going to experience the blowback of Trump's economic policies. Senate Enrolled Act 1 will save our seniors little, and their local income taxes will probably increase. 

“If I were a young person, I wouldn’t see the value of working for the state. We don’t take good care of our retirees, and we fall short on our promises. Our seniors, retired teachers and state employees will continue drowning in costs while Republicans dole out tax cuts and money in the budget to big businesses.” 

Porter proposes ideas to remedy budget deficit, Supermajority conducts negotiations behind closed doors

Today, April 21, members of the General Assembly held a conference committee on House Bill 1001. Legislators are facing a $2 billion deficit for the biennial budget. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) proposed Amendment 97, providing additional revenue sources. 

“Conference committees are where bipartisanship and transparency die,” Porter said. “The supermajority is plowing ahead without input from Democrats. During the 2009 crisis, both parties discussed solutions. This time, Democrats weren’t invited to the table. Instead, they sat us at the kids' table.

“We have a massive deficit on our hands. This is not the time for universal vouchers or giving more money to virtual charters. This is not the time to protect large corporations–this is the time to help Hoosiers. House Democrats are focused on preserving K-12 education, public safety and public health. I want to take care of people during this time of uncertainty. 

“Today, I proposed increasing the cigarette tax to $2 to raise $800 million, which was included in my initial budget proposal. We should also delay the individual income tax cuts, freeing up an additional $300 to $400 million. We received an influx of dollars during COVID-19, so we put an extra $3.7 billion into the Pension Stabilization Fund. If we use portions of that money, Indiana could free up $1 billion each year. Some more creative solutions are a small sugary beverage tax, increasing the alcohol tax or eliminating the free play gaming concept.

“We should exhaust all potential streams of revenue before making cuts. Let me also remind the majority: there’s one glaring reason for this forecast change from December to April. This is the time to help Hoosiers, not enact sweeping cuts that leave Hoosiers out in the cold.”

Porter comments on revenue forecast: ‘When the U.S. gets a cold, Indiana gets pneumonia’

Today, April 16, the State Budget Committee met to discuss the revenue forecast, economic forecast and Medicaid forecast before the close of the 2025 legislative session. 

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

“I’m thankful Indiana has a nonpartisan forecast because we can focus solely on the numbers. But today our numbers are unclear. We’re operating in a time of extreme uncertainty. The revenue forecast is down $2.37 billion for the next few years. We’ll be down $403 million in 2025, $963.9 million in 2026 and over $1 billion in 2027. This is an unprecedented negative change between the December and April forecasts. People knew the 2009 recession was coming back thanks to Trump’s tariffs, but this is a reality shock. 

“Federal actions could completely change our trajectory. We’re one of the most intense manufacturing states in the nation, so we could get hit hard. When the U.S. gets a cold, Indiana gets pneumonia. 

“Our budget has to be done in a week. In the past, I’ve proposed doing an annual budget during periods of uncertainty. I said we needed to move this forecast up a month. Now it’s crunch time, and we’re writing this budget with a blindfold.” 

Porter comments on income tax hike in disguise as Braun signs bill

On April 15, Gov. Mike Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 1. 

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

“SEA 1 is a lose-lose. About two-thirds of homeowners will pay less in 2026 than in 2025, with a 10% credit, potentially up to $300. By phasing out the homestead standard deduction, upping the supplemental deduction and switching to a percentage-based credit, Hoosiers with lower assessed values will save little. Homeowners in rural and lower-income areas will be the ones who save less and probably pay more. 

“Local governments will be cut by $1.4 billion. Public schools will lose $744 million, and 190 school districts will lose an additional $52 million as their local income tax certified shares are cut. In the budget, most schools will also get an insufficient increase in their school funding formulas of 1.5% or less if House Republicans get their way. Your local income taxes might go up by $1.1 billion. Guess what? If you can’t afford a house, you don’t get any savings, but your taxes go up. A person making $50,000 a year could see an increase of $600. Savings in your left pocket, but you pay more out of your right.

“This will hurt our communities. Thousands of teachers protested yesterday because this bill will disadvantage their schools and the quality of education their students receive. Notice how the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) hasn’t supported SB 1–their resources will be cut. Firefighters said these cuts would impede their ability to provide services. It’s hypocritical to vouch for small government and then kneecap the ability of our small governments to do their job. Locals have two options: raise taxes or swallow cuts that are untenable.

“Make no mistake, this is a tax hike. Less than 20 counties tax the maximum 2.5%, and very few take advantage of the full 1.25% to provide a property tax credit. That 3.75% is a fallacy. It’s not happening. This bill increases the maximum amount local governments can collect from $5.9 billion to $7 billion. They can try to explain it away, but that’s an increase. This will outweigh anything you save on your bill. 

“Braun made a campaign promise he can’t keep. Indiana Republicans want to shift the blame for taxation to local committees. Local services will suffer from massive cuts. The majority party dukes it out over who provided the bigger 'tax cut, 'and all Hoosiers and our communities lose in the process.”