GiaQuinta comments on Washington Post designation of Indiana as ‘State of the Year’

Today, the Washington Post Editorial Board designated Indiana as its inaugural 'State of the Year.' Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement in response to the editorial and its citation of policies passed by the General Assembly this year as 'worthy of emulation':

"I agree with the Washington Post Editorial Board that Indiana Senate Republican and Democrats' principled rejection of partisan gerrymandering is worthy of celebration. However, the rest of their analysis of policy changes made by the supermajority is an inadvertent testament to the importance of Indiana's local media outlets and journalists.

"The editorial board's celebration of property tax cuts and budget cuts was clearly made without consideration of the fallout from both of these decisions: the fact that many homeowners and renters will end up paying more than they save from the cuts in the form of local income taxes, wheel taxes, and more; the cancellation of important local projects and programs across the state, like a domestic violence shelter in Hamilton County; and the mass closure of child care facilities. Just a few weeks ago, a daycare center in my district announced it was closing its doors as a direct impact of the Braun administration's decision to cut Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers.

"As for education funding, the only reason it increased was because of the mass flow of money toward the private school voucher program. For the 9 out of 10 Hoosier kids in public schools, their school did not receive a huge influx of dollars. For most, funding was at or below inflation, and once you factor in property tax cuts, you start to realize that our public schools are really hurting.

"All in all, this editorial is yet another example of Washington elites failing to grasp the real situation on the ground here in Indiana. I am grateful for the Hoosier reporters who work hard to tell the complete story of the policies that come out of the Statehouse – the good and the bad."

GiaQuinta comments on closure of district child care facility

 This week, the Lutheran Social Services of Indiana's Children's Village Early Learning Center announced that it will permanently close on Jan. 16. The facility primarily serves families who use Indiana's Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers. Earlier this year, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced that it would pause new vouchers until 2027 and cut reimbursement rates for providers.

A few months ago, House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) toured Children's Village and noted the quality of care at the center. In response to the announced closure, he issued the following statement:

"I was deeply saddened to learn that Children's Village will close its doors early next year. Children's Village serves a critical role in our community of keeping parents in the workforce and preparing kids for elementary school. Now, parents will have to scramble to find a new child care center that they can trust.

"The closure of Children's Village – and many other child care centers around the state – is a policy decision that Statehouse Republicans have actively and consciously made. Instead of prioritizing child care and early learning, state Republican lawmakers blew a hole in this year's state budget by making K-12 private school vouchers universal.

"During last week's redistricting session meetings, I supported a motion by a fellow House Democrat to strip the redistricting bill and replace it with a cost-of-living package that would have eliminated the CCDF voucher waitlist and fully funded CCDF vouchers for one year. Fort Wayne's Republican representatives failed to support this and chose political games over helping families afford child care.

"I will continue advocating for the child care centers in our community that provide essential services for our residents during the upcoming legislative session."

GiaQuinta, House Democrats: ‘Let’s get to work for Hoosier wallets’

Today, the Indiana Senate defeated the mid-decade congressional redistricting bill by a 31-19 vote.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement in response:

"I am grateful that Hoosiers, not Washington, D.C., prevailed today. Today is proof that your voice matters in our state government.

"Now that the Senate has rejected mid-decade redistricting, it's time for state lawmakers to focus on solving what Hoosiers have been begging us to fix: the rising cost of living and impact of tariffs on our economy. Indiana House Democrats are ready to lower the cost of utilities, housing, health care and child care. Let's get to work for Hoosier wallets!"

House Republicans pass gerrymandered congressional maps after House Democrats fight for working families

Today, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1032, the mid-decade congressional redistricting bill that is explicitly intended to give Republicans a 9-0 advantage in Indiana's congressional races, by a 57-41 vote. All House Democrats voted against the bill.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement upon the bill's passage:

"At every conceivable turn this week, House Democrats have offered House Republicans opportunities to address real issues that impact Hoosiers every day. From reining in sky-high utility costs to tackling jaw-dropping health care premiums, there's no shortage of problems we could be fixing. Instead, Republicans have rushed through cracked-and-packed maps that break up communities and dilute minority voices.

"Our phones have been ringing off the hook for months – ever since we first started discussing the possibility of redistricting – and the overwhelming majority of people we've spoken to don't want new maps. They want us lawmakers to focus our energy on solving the problems that keep them up at night, not doing Washington, D.C.'s bidding. New political maps don't pay the bills, and Hoosiers are very aware of this.

"I'm hoping that the folks across the hall in the state Senate have the courage to stand up to this D.C. power grab and vote no on redistricting. This has been a distraction for far too long. House Democrats are ready to get to work to create a stronger economy and a better future for Hoosiers, not play political games that only serve to benefit party bosses."

House Democrats fight for an affordable Indiana, House Republicans choose partisan politics over family budgets

Today, the House Elections and Apportionment Committee passed House Bill 1032, the mid-decade redistricting bill, out of committee. House Democrats offered a minority report, an alternative to HB 1032 as passed out of committee, for the full House to vote on. House Republicans chose to block it by a 64-24 vote.  

The legislation House Democrats offered contained several provisions to lower the cost of living for Hoosiers and eliminated the redistricting provisions from the bill.

The report:

• Saves Hoosiers money on their utility bills by eliminating the sales tax on residential utility use;

• Protects Hoosiers from rising health care costs by creating a state tax credit for insurance premiums if the Affordable Care Act credits end;

• Lowers Hoosiers' grocery bills by eliminating the sales tax on prepared food sold in grocery stores, toothpaste, soap, adult diapers and feminine hygiene products; and

• Keeps Hoosier kids in early childhood education classrooms by eliminating the waitlists for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K vouchers and fully funding both programs for one year.

"The legislation I offered to the House today would have eased up on Hoosiers' wallets as we enter the holiday season," State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), ranking Democrat on the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, said. "I keep hearing from my constituents about the rising cost of child care and utility bills. We offered House Republican legislators an opportunity to reverse course and pass something this December that would actually make a difference on pocketbooks, and they said 'no' to lowering costs for Hoosiers."  

"House Democrats have held town halls all over the state for the past four months, and Hoosiers told us that they want relief from the rising cost of living, not map rigging and political games," House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) said. "Today, we offered legislation to save Hoosiers money on their rising utility bills, health care costs, grocery bills, and pre-K and child care costs as an alternative to redistricting. House Republicans chose partisan map rigging instead.

"New political maps don't pay bills or put food on the table. House Democrats know your family budget is the real emergency. It's too bad House Republicans can only think of themselves – their only emergency is trying to protect their own political power."

House Democrats react to congressional maps proposed by House Republicans

Today, Indiana House Republicans released their proposed congressional map. House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement reacting to the maps:

"These new congressional districts wind and twist, breaking up communities and putting them in the same district as counties over 100 miles away.

"House Democrats have been saying this for months, and the maps reflect it: This won't lower the cost of living. This won't make life more affordable for Hoosiers. In fact, these maps will make it harder to get by. Most Hoosiers will already tell you that government does very little for them. How does being lumped in a district with Hoosiers in vastly different regions with vastly different concerns make government work better for constituents? It doesn't.

"Hoosiers will be worse off for these maps. There is still time to share your thoughts on the actual proposed map with your state representative and state senator, and I urge Hoosiers to make their voices heard."

Constituents can find their state representative and state senator by visiting the IGA website's Find Your Legislator tool.

House Democrats prioritize needs of Hoosiers over politics

Today, Speaker of the House Todd Huston announced the Indiana House of Representatives will be back in session Dec. 1 to discuss redistricting and other items.  

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement:

"Hoosiers have already said loud and clear that they don't want redistricting. Why are we wasting valuable time and resources on this when we could be lowering costs for Hoosiers? Under the Republican supermajority in the House, Hoosiers have been faced with decades of decay. They deserve better, and House Democrats plan to prioritize their needs this session.”

Speaker Huston, Leader GiaQuinta issue joint statement condemning recent swatting, threats of violence against Senators

Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) and Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following joint statement today condemning the recent swatting and threats of violence against Senators:

"The threats, swatting attempts and other criminal activity being directed at our colleagues in the Senate are abhorrent and completely unacceptable. This is no way to express political disagreement, and it must stop. We thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for responding to and investigating these crimes, and for keeping our elected officials and their families safe. This is incredibly harmful to those being directly impacted and to our entire state. We're praying for our colleagues, their families and neighbors, and our law enforcement partners. We hope to see swift justice for anyone responsible for these crimes." 

After vote to adjourn until Jan. 5, House Democrats cautiously optimistic that redistricting has no path forward

Today, Organization Day, the Indiana House of Representatives voted to adjourn until Jan. 5, 2026. However, House Speaker Todd Huston told House members to keep their calendars open during the first two weeks of December for a possible special session.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement in response:

"After today's vote by both chambers to adjourn until January, House Democrats are cautiously optimistic that redistricting our congressional districts has no path forward. I want to thank the Hoosiers from all corners of our great state who called and emailed their legislators and showed up to town halls and rallies to voice their opinion. This is how our state government should work – being responsive to the wishes and desires of the people we were elected to serve.

"When the regular session kicks off in January, House Democrats will continue focusing on making Indiana more affordable. Hoosiers are struggling to make ends meet. That's why House Democrats will focus on cutting the cost of utilities, health care, housing and child care this year. Hoosiers make too little for life in Indiana to be this unaffordable. The General Assembly can solve these problems for people, and House Democrats are excited to get to work in January."

GiaQuinta comments on redistricting not moving forward

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement reacting to the news that Senate Republicans will not move forward on redistricting:

"Now that the topic of redistricting is behind us, I look forward to working on bringing down the cost of living for Hoosiers during the upcoming legislative session."

GiaQuinta reacts to special session timeline, calls for action on cost of living

Today, Nov. 3, Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) announced that the House of Representatives will meet during the first two weeks of December to address "time sensitive issues." This will be part of the 2026 regular session. Last week, Republican Gov. Mike Braun called a special session to start today, Nov. 3, to redraw Indiana's nine congressional seats to wholly represent Republicans instead of the 7-2 Republican-Democrat current map.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement in response:

"Whether the Statehouse comes back early for special session or regular session, House Democrats are going to be focused on the same thing: the skyrocketing cost of living here in Indiana. From health care premiums and utility bills to child care costs and property taxes, Hoosiers are struggling to stay afloat and need relief. Redrawing political maps won't solve any of these problems. House Democrats will be offering solutions, and I look forward to hearing from Statehouse Republicans about what their plans to make Indiana more affordable look like."

House Democrats call on Gov. Braun to fund food pantries amid SNAP pause

Following Republican lawmakers’ refusal to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Indiana House Democratic Caucus is calling on Gov. Mike Braun to send state dollars to Indiana’s food banks. Indiana’s food banks and pantries are running out of food due to record demand. 

Roughly 571,594 Hoosiers received SNAP benefits last month. One in eight Indiana SNAP recipients are children. Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits will pause indefinitely starting tomorrow, Nov. 1. 

“We cannot sit by and watch our fellow Hoosiers go hungry,” House Democratic Leader Rep. Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) said. “If our Republican colleagues in the General Assembly won’t help our most vulnerable residents, we’re calling on Gov. Braun to do the right thing and make sure our food pantries throughout the state have support. Hunger isn’t a partisan issue. Hoosiers aren’t to blame for the government shutdown, and they shouldn’t suffer because of D.C.’s inability to compromise.” 

“Send money to the food banks to help our neighbors,” State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) said. “Food banks are a budget line item we can easily augment. We have the money. If nothing is done, thousands of children’s only meals will be free school lunch. This is a simple request to do the right thing and help the least of these.”