Pryor: ‘This budget fails to support the least of thee’

In the early hours of April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the budget to the governor’s desk. State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) voted against the budget due to insufficient funding for K-12 public education, the expansion of the voucher program and the cut in funding for local public health initiatives, public broadcasting services and higher education.

“Many Hoosiers struggle to keep up with the increasing cost of housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare. The 2025 state budget passed by Indiana Republicans does not address the very real needs of working families. 

“Just a few days ago, Republicans announced that our state revenue was $2.4 billion less than expected. What was their solution? To cut critical programs for Hoosiers like public health initiatives, higher education, pre-k, public transportation and more. Additionally, not only is there no solution to make housing more affordable, but funding for housing resources like the Housing First program was eliminated.

“While these services that benefit hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers were cut, the private school voucher program will receive an additional $100 million of taxpayer money every year starting in 2027. The public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of Hoosier students will remain underfunded. 

“The state budget is a blueprint of our priorities. This budget supports the wealthiest among us while leaving the populations that need state support the most out to dry.

“I am disappointed in the lack of involvement Democrats had in this process. Collaboration brings the very best ideas to the table. This budget is not what Hoosiers need, and it is not what Hoosiers deserve.” 

Hamilton opposes the 2025 state budget: ‘This isn’t what Hoosiers need’

In the early morning hours of April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the budget to the governor’s desk. State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) voted against the budget due to insufficient funding for K-12 public education, cuts to child care and pre-k programs as well as the expansion of the voucher program. 

“In this moment of economic uncertainty, the average Hoosier family deserves a state willing to support their very real needs,” Hamilton said. “Instead, this budget chooses to invest in the wealthiest 3.5% of families. 

“The budget passed by Statehouse Republicans hands nearly $100 million in new taxpayer dollars to the wealthiest families in Indiana every year starting in 2027 to send their children to private schools they are already attending. Meanwhile, our public schools—the backbone of our communities—continue to be underfunded. Adjusted for inflation, Indiana now spends less per student than we did 15 years ago. That’s not progress. That’s disinvestment.

“If we wanted to help working Hoosiers, we would expand access to child care and pre-k. Child care is unaffordable—or simply unavailable—for tens of thousands of parents trying to stay in the workforce. This is when the state should step up and support working families. Instead, this is a step back. On My Way Pre-k saw a 5% cut in funding and a reduction in eligibility. The state views a family of four making $40 thousand a year as too rich to qualify for child care vouchers, but any billionaire now qualifies for a private school voucher. 

“Investing in child care, early learning and our public schools pays back for families, employers and our state’s economy. A massive subsidy to Indiana’s uber-wealthy is simply not fiscally responsible. 

“This budget is about priorities. And the message is loud and clear—we’re prioritizing ideology over educational outcomes. Wealth over need. Politics over working families. This isn’t fiscally responsible. It’s not equitable. And it’s not what Hoosiers are asking for.”

Andrade votes ‘no’ on state budget, concerned with missed opportunities for Hoosier education and public health

Today, April 25,  the Indiana General Assembly approved the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the state’s next two-year budget to the governor’s desk. State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, voted against the bill citing, deep concerns about insufficient investments in key areas crucial to Indiana’s future.

“Hoosiers deserve a budget that reflects our values and priorities - and this one falls short,” Andrade said. “We’re underfunding public health, failing to support our youngest learners and defunding our higher education institutions. That’s not a path to prosperity – it’s a path to falling behind.”

Andrade pointed to the continued lack of investment in pre-K programs, which he says limits early childhood learning opportunities across the state. He also expressed concern over what he sees as a steady divestment in Indiana’s colleges and universities, calling it a contributing factor to the “brain drain” we are seeing in Hoosier students.

“If we truly want to build a strong economy and retain top talent, we must start by supporting our schools and institutions from the ground up.

“It’s hard to take public health promises seriously when we’re cutting the very programs meant to support them,” Andrade said. “The ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’ initiative, championed by Gov. Braun,  was touted as a commitment to Hoosiers’ health, yet this budget slashes critical resources. Instead of receiving $100 million annually, public health services will get just $40 million per year over the next biennium. We cannot claim to be making Indiana healthy again while gutting the support systems people rely on.”

“This budget tells Hoosiers that their health and education aren’t priorities, and I refuse to support that,” Andrade said.

Harris votes ‘no’ on state budget, advocates for public health and public education

Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the biennial budget to the governor's desk. State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) voted against the budget, citing inadequate funding for public education, public health and stripped funding for Public Broadcasting Services.

"This budget fails to adequately fund public K-12 education, which is critical to the success of our state. Throughout the state, we're facing teacher shortages and underfunded classrooms. We had an opportunity to address this issue in our biennial budget, and Indiana Republicans squandered that chance. Along with the impact of House Bill 1001, Lake County is set to lose hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to Senate Bill 2. This budget will do nothing to help Lake County residents who will pay much more in local income taxes while getting minimal property tax relief. No one wins under this budget proposal.

"It's also worth noting the underfunding of public health under this budget, just a week since Gov. Mike Braun met with RFK Jr. to supposedly 'Make Indiana Healthy Again.' Over the next two years, funding for the Health First Indiana program has been cut to $80 million from $225 million in the 2023 biennial budget. How can we expect Hoosiers to be healthier when we are actively taking away funding from the very programs designed to increase public health?

"Higher education is taking a cut under this budget, with the Commission of Higher Education receiving a funding cut for student scholarships. As a lawmaker, I'm proud to say I've championed the 21st Century Scholars program, helping more Hoosiers achieve a higher education. Having more college graduates in Indiana means a stronger economy, a more robust workforce and more incentives for workers and families to move to our state. When we fail to prioritize higher education, we fail to prioritize the future of Indiana.

"With everything going on in our state right now, I find it odd that Indiana Republicans are focusing their efforts on stripping funding for Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). For over 50 years, PBS has helped keep Hoosiers informed on their local governments and communities. Perhaps most importantly, PBS has been a champion in early education since its founding. With Indiana's growing brain drain problem, we should be prioritizing any opportunity to help our children get ahead and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and civic engagement. An informed electorate helps create a stronger state and a government more representative of the people it serves.

"House Bill 1001 is fiscally irresponsible and will harm Lake County and Hoosiers throughout the state."

Miller votes ‘no’ on House budget to protect public schools, health initiatives

Today, April 25, Indiana Republicans passed the final version of House Bill 1001, sending the biennial budget to the governor's desk. State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) voted against the budget due to insufficient funding for K-12 public education, the expansion of the voucher program and the 60% cut in funding for local public health initiatives.

"Strong public schools are the backbone of our communities, and this budget fails to ensure teachers and students have what they need to be successful," Miller said. "Along with the impacts of HB 1001, thanks to the Republican-backed Senate Enrolled Act 1, Allen County will lose millions in property tax revenue over the next three years.

"While Republicans force public schools to do more with less, private school vouchers will increase by 23.4% in 2027. I'm not against families having options when it comes to where they send their children to school, but the state should not be funding private school vouchers for wealthy families while many Hoosiers are going without affordable medical care or housing.

"In the wake of Gov. Braun's political stunt with Robert Kennedy Jr. to 'Make Indiana Healthy Again,' I find it odd that we're cutting funding for local public health initiatives under this budget. To make it worse, our community is currently facing a measles outbreak while the Republican budget guts public health initiatives. These cuts put everyone in danger when future outbreaks occur.

"I wanted to be able to vote for this budget but, unfortunately, it doesn't meet the moment for what Hoosiers need. Folks need property tax relief that doesn't threaten local services, our public schools need support to meet the needs of our children, and public health services need adequate funding to ensure the next generation of Hoosiers has a better shot at long-term health. If these things were in the Republican budget, I would have been an adamant 'yes' vote. Ultimately, I had to vote in the best interest of my constituents, and House District 82 deserves better than what Republicans were offering."

Nearing end of legislative session, Garcia Wilburn provides health care policy update

State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers), an occupational therapist and member of the House Committee on Public Health, provided an update on health care industry legislation as Indiana's 2025 legislative session nears its close.

Garcia Wilburn voted for Senate Bill 475 today, April 24. Now that SB 475 has passed the state House of Representatives and Senate, it heads to the governor's desk for signing.

SB 475 aims to lower health care costs and improve patient outcomes by prohibiting hospitals or hospital systems from entering into noncompete agreements with physicians if the agreement interferes with the physician's ability to treat their patients. Garcia Wilburn has previously applauded federal efforts to eliminate noncompete agreements.

Garcia Wilburn issued the following statement upon the bill's passage out of the House:

"The patient-physician relationship is key to delivering good health care outcomes, and hospital-enforced noncompete contracts get in the way of the best possible care for patients. It's fair for patients to want a doctor they trust. It's also fair for physicians to want good working conditions and satisfactory pay. Noncompetes make these two needs stand in conflict with each other. All too often, patients are forced to lose a trusted provider because that provider decides they need to leave the hospital system and are forced to move away because of their noncompete's terms.  

"SB 475 is an important step toward delivering better health care outcomes and working conditions for Hoosiers, ensuring healthy competition and lowering costs. I was proud to support it."

Additionally, Garcia Wilburn voted against legislation to overregulate hospitals and drive up patient costs. House Bill 1004 creates more administrative workload and paperwork for nonprofit hospitals that provide essential Medicaid services to the neediest Hoosiers.

"Transparency is a noble principle, but transparency without action doesn't actually lower costs or improve outcomes for Hoosiers. House Bill 1004 will be harmful to the hospital systems in our communities without any clear benefit to patients. I would like to see all health care entities working together for the betterment of consumers and will continue working toward this goal next session."

Bartlett anti-human trafficking bill heads to governor’s desk

Today, State Rep. John Barlett's (D-Indianapolis) House Bill 1416 passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate and now heads to the governor's desk. The bill requires gas stations and rest areas to display posters with information on human trafficking and the National Human Trafficking Hotline number in restrooms or a visible location on the premises.

Barlett issued the following statement following the vote:

"This bill is a great first step in curbing human trafficking in our state. Unfortunately, this abhorrent practice is a multi-billion-dollar industry around the world. As the Crossroads of America, roughly 80 million people pass through our state each year, and it's impossible to know how many of these individuals are victims of human trafficking. If having these posters on display in our gas stations and rest areas can save just one life, it's worth it.

"I'd like to thank my fellow lawmakers who have worked with me to get this bill to the finish line, and the brave survivors who shared their stories during committee to discuss the impact of this legislation."

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.” 

Pfaff celebrates reinstatement of consent education

Earlier this month, State Rep. Tonya Pfaff (D-Terre Haute) passed an amendment on Senate Bill 442 to require consent be included in curriculum on human sexuality. On Monday, April 21, Republican State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville) removed that provision from SB 442 during a short conference committee meeting. 

A video of the exchange between Byrne and Pfaff on the matter of consent education quickly gained over a million views across social media platforms. Following widespread public concern about removing the requirement for teenagers to learn about consent, the language was added back into the bill. 

“While I still cannot understand why this was ever a debate to begin with, I am relieved that the language requiring consent education was put back into the bill,” Pfaff said. 

“Teaching about consent protects our youth – both boys and girls. There was no reason for this common-sense policy to become a partisan issue. Thankfully, logic prevailed, and all young Hoosiers will benefit.” 

Today, April 23, the final version of SB 442 with the language requiring consent education passed both the House and Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. 

DeLaney calls for legislative action on IEDC obscure dealings

Earlier this month, Gov. Braun issued an executive order to put an end to the failure to make disclosures about conflicts of interest. This order requires “nonprofit” organizations designed to assist our state government to become current on required filings with the state and the IRS. The governor has now confirmed that he is in the process of arranging for an independent audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Yesterday, Hannah News Service ran a special issue about the backstory of this executive order. This investigation found there has been a round of probes from the governor’s office into the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and its affiliates, including the Indiana Economic Development Foundation and Elevate Ventures. 

“I have been voicing my concerns that the IEDC is a runaway agency with a blank check for years now. It appears that our current governor shares those concerns. 

“I have called on the legislature multiple times to rein in this agency. In the wake of legislative inaction, I applaud the governor for expending the resources necessary to get the bottom of this entity’s obscure dealings. 

“The IEDC has frequently been allowed to hide behind the shield of ‘private sector competitive edge’ when asked to produce details about what they deem ‘confidential’ projects. IEDC representatives have been slow to disclose the amount of money that is being spent on the controversial LEAP project to members of the state budget committee.

“The bottom line seems to be that a few highly paid people are wearing multiple hats. That begs the question of whether any pockets are being padded with these taxpayer dollars. 

“As we prepare to wrap up the legislative session in the next few days, I urge the legislature to follow the lead of the executive branch. We must require the IEDC and affiliates to present the necessary records in front of the State Budget Committee. Hoosier taxpayers deserve to know what their money is being used for.”  

OP-ED: Axing the federal Department of Education and cutting Medicaid will hurt Carmel and Fishers' disability communities

As an occupational therapist and state representative, I am thankful to represent communities that place a premium on inclusive growth that ensures residents with disabilities can thrive. Both Fishers and Carmel constantly work to elevate the disability community and make city planning decisions that are welcoming to all. Additionally, our area schools offer robust special education programs so that every child can have a bright future, regardless of ability.  

Setting up every child for success is a right guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that is enforced by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). IDEA ensures that public school students receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is tailored to their needs and abilities. Additionally, the DOE supplements state resources with the additional funding needed to execute IEPs for their students. 

To be clear, IDEA only protects students enrolled in public schools, and oftentimes private schools do not have the capacity – or a federal mandate – to provide specialized IEPs to students with disabilities. This makes our public schools all the more important for our disability community. As the National Education Association published in a recent article about these cuts, "The best and only choice, say many parents of children with disabilities, is their neighborhood public school." 

This is why I'm incredibly disappointed in last month's federal administration decision to cut the DOE completely. We should not be leaving our students with disabilities out to dry without the robust federal support and civil rights enforcement they've been promised to ensure they have equal opportunities as their peers without disabilities. This decision will do just that. 

Also on the federal level, potential Medicaid cuts will hurt our students in special education programs. Indiana is one of 25 states that has opted into allowing Medicaid payments to be used to carry out IEPs. With Congress discussing $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid and other programs, the quality of IEPs and support personnel are on the chopping block.   

Our federal leaders in charge of our health care system have made damaging and misleading statements about what kids with disabilities can hope to accomplish in their lives. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said this of children with autism: “These are kids who will never pay taxes. They will never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball. They’ll never write a poem. They’ll never go out on a date." This is patently untrue – Americans with autism lead rich and full lives, and these comments do not reflect the body of health research showing how much progress youth and adults with autism can make toward independence with evidence-based interventions. 

In my opinion, this is all unacceptable. Our public schools are the crown jewel of our community, and we need to keep them excellent for all students, including our students with disabilities who need a specialized curriculum. We can't take a step backward for the disability community and leave our children with disabilities behind. The core tenant of IDEA is that all children deserve an equal opportunity in education and an equal opportunity to succeed, but these cuts threaten to dismantle that promise. Our kids deserve more than this – and I will continue advocating for them to get the investment and attention they’re owed.