Porter proposal to help Hoosiers at risk of losing vital services

Hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers are at risk of losing their Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) next month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. 571,594 Hoosiers received SNAP benefits as of September 2025, and an average of 155,500 pregnant women and infants received WIC benefits as of May 2025.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee and a ranking member of the State Budget Committee (SBC) plans to make recommendations to the latter group during an upcoming SBC meeting to transfer funds to the Family and Social Services Administration and the Division of Family Resources to cover the deficiency for SNAP payments. HIs proposal would also add a supplemental payment to food banks in the state. 

The proposal would provide a tiered increase to Indiana’s supplemental payments for food banks from $2 million to $5 million, with an additional $2 million monthly as needed.

Porter issued the following statement regarding his planned proposal: 

“Regardless of their political affiliation, every Hoosier should be horrified by the notion of a child going hungry. If SNAP and WIC benefits are cut, that’s exactly what will happen. We have an opportunity to ensure that Hoosiers continue to receive these vital services, regardless of whether the federal government reopens in the near future. 

“It can’t be overstated that the state of Indiana has the ability to prevent this – this is simply about whether we have the political will to keep children, pregnant women and the elderly from going hungry.

"Just last month, the State Budget Committee approved a decision to reallocate funds from the Indiana Department of Correction toward the ‘Speedway Slammer,’ which houses detainees suspected of being in the country without documentation. SBC did this without any certain guarantee that the federal government will reimburse them for these services.

"If we can make a $16 million bet on prisons, we can surely bet on keeping Hoosiers from hunger. As a lawmaker, my priority is making sure Hoosiers have the resources they need to thrive, and this proposal would do just that. Hoosiers should not suffer because the folks in Washington, D.C. can’t get their act together. I’m calling on my colleagues in the State Budget Committee to find the political will to put the health and well-being of Hoosiers over any political games.”

Pryor comments on unfair AES settlement

Yesterday, it was announced that AES Indiana had reached a settlement with the City of Indianapolis and a number of large businesses and private interest groups with AES Indiana Industrial Group. This agreement was reached outside of official channels.  The Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) has issued a statement in opposition of this settlement. According to Citizens Action Coalition, this deal would increase rates for residential consumers by at least 6.51% while commercial and industrial consumers will only increase by 3.19% and 4.12%, respectively. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), a member of the House Committee on Energy and Utilities as well as an outspoken opponent of the AES rate hike, issued the following statement: 

“This backroom deal might be great for the interests of corporations, but leaves one major group out to dry: the consumers. The scramble to pander to these major corporate players comes after Hoosiers from across the city showed up in mass to testify against this unfair rate hike. The OUCC has submitted over 7,000 comments from consumers in fervent opposition to yet another increase in their bills.

“The justification of improved service garners understandable doubt from residents as issues of concern before the last rate hike that went into effect just months ago have still yet to be fixed. And we are not talking about little problems. We are talking about people being charged three times what they should be or their bank account being withdrawn ten times without immediate compensation. We should not let AES expand their bottom line by one penny until these issues have been addressed. 

“People simply cannot keep up with utility costs that have gone up 34% over the last decade. This rate hike should be flat out rejected. Indiana is a regulated monopoly, and consumers cannot go anywhere else if they are unsatisfied with the price or service of our utilities. I urge the IURC to do the right thing for the citizens of Indiana and not allow this sweetheart deal to go through.”

Porter opposes BlackRock’s potential acquisition of AES Indiana

According to several reports, BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners is nearing a deal for the acquisition of AES Corporation for $38 billion. 

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

“AES customers have had enough. They’re already paying high monthly bills that are constantly increasing. Indy residents have no other choice but AES for electricity. They’re stuck with whatever people in power give them. 

“Private equity firms should have no stake in utilities that are needs, not wants. If AES is sold to BlackRock, residents' bills will rise even more. Indy residents will continue to be priced out of the utilities they need to survive. 

“BlackRock is clearly cornering the utilities market to get rich off the rise of AI. They’re heavily invested in coal-fired power plants, and just yesterday, they purchased Aligned Data Centers—the writing is on the wall. Companies like BlackRock are building up their shares in every facet of this data center push, and they’re ready to suck our working families dry. 

“I strongly advocate that the City of Indianapolis purchase AES Indiana and make it a public charitable trust, like Citizens Energy Group. We have to start seeing the people, not the profit they offer.”

Burton warns against “mean-spirited” immigration policies threatening Indiana economy and health care, calls for immigration reform

Today, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) issued a statement criticizing current immigration enforcement efforts and called for comprehensive, humane policy solutions that address Indiana's critical workforce shortages in health care and agriculture.

As federal officials, including "Border Czar" Tom Homan, promote immigration enforcement measures in Indiana, Burton argues that the state's focus should shift from detention and enforcement toward practical solutions that strengthen Indiana's economy, health care system and food security.

Burton released the following statement:

"Indiana is failing our people and its economy. Our state is drifting further away from the values that built our communities with hard work, compassion and common sense. Instead of focusing on solutions that actually help families, we’re spending time on political stunts that divide us and distract from the real issues Hoosiers face every day.

“The legislature must stop taking orders from Washington, D.C., and start focusing on everyday hardworking Hoosiers. As families face rising costs for energy, rent, groceries and child care heading into the holidays, our state’s priorities remain deeply misaligned.

“What began as a focus on violent offenders has now expanded into a sweeping overreach that tears families apart, jeopardizes our health care and food security, and drives up the prices Hoosiers pay at the grocery store. This is not immigration reform — it’s political theater that ignores real solutions.

“The answer is not detaining the very people responsible for Indiana’s population growth in rural, urban and suburban communities. We are wasting limited resources without improving outcomes for anyone.

“This mean-spirited approach will also strain law enforcement and local governments already stretched thin. With communities still dealing with consequences of SEA 1, placing even more burdens on local agencies and schools is unconscionable.

"Hoosiers deserve solutions that uplift our workforce, keep families together and move our economy forward, not policies that pit neighbors against one another."

Pryor reacts to JD Vance’s return to Indiana to bully GOP senators

Today, Vice President JD Vance returned to Indiana in an attempt to strong-arm Republican legislators into a special session to gerrymander the congressional maps. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), House Democratic Floor Leader and a member of the House Committee on Elections, issued the following statement:

“It has been almost two months since JD Vance first came here to convince Indiana Republicans to do his bidding and rig the next election to maintain political power. If one thing has become clear over these weeks, it's that Hoosiers don’t want this. The people of Indiana do not want their votes in the next election decided for them before it has even begun. 

“Our maps are already gerrymandered. In the 2024 election, the Democratic nominee for governor got 41% of the vote, but Democrats hold 22% of congressional seats. The two districts that the Washington establishment has decided to target represent the most diverse parts of the state. Any attempt to dismantle the fair representation of these communities is a direct attack on Black voters and other minority groups. 

“Instead of enacting policies that will help working families, Republicans on a state and national level have cut essential services and programs while giving tax breaks and benefits to the wealthiest among us. Hoosier families are struggling with high costs for utilities, housing, healthcare and groceries – all the things this administration campaigned on solving. Not only has the cost-of-living crisis not been solved, but it has also been made significantly worse by the disastrous tariffs. From farmers, to small business owners, to parents wondering how they are going to afford Christmas gifts for their children, people are feeling the devastating economic impact of this bad policy. And Republicans know that they have failed Hoosiers and failed this country. They are running scared from their own policy by trying to cheat and predetermine their own victory in the 2026 midterm instead of facing the voters. Just like a bully, they don’t want to operate by the rules because they know they will lose, so they have decided to change the rules altogether.

“VP Vance needs to go back to DC and work on the issues his administration promised to solve on 'day one.' It is telling that in the middle of a government shutdown, the vice president is in Indiana trying to bully Senate Republicans to assist in his power grab instead of actually trying to solve problems for the American people." 

Harris, Jackson respond to ICE agents operating in Northwest Indiana

Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were seen throughout Northwest Indiana, including in Hammond and East Chicago. Multiple videos on social media show ICE agents pursuing individuals in parking lots and restaurants. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott forced ICE agents off the grounds of a police department earlier today, calling their presence in the city “deeply concerning.”

Two Northwest Indiana state representatives, State Reps. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) and Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond), are monitoring the situation in their respective communities. 

“I am deeply worried to see that ICE agents were attempting to use property of the City of Hammond to stage their terror operation,” Jackson said. “I am thankful to Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott for promptly making the public aware that ICE is present in the city and making sure they are not permitted to use Hammond facilities to intimidate members of our community. 

“What we have seen across the nation in terms of the treatment of immigrants, many of whom immigrated legally or have obtained their citizenship, has been cruel and downright inhumane. Just this week in Chicago, ICE agents have been deploying increasingly violent tactics such as using a Black Hawk helicopter to raid an apartment complex in the middle of the night, dragging children away from their families screaming and crying. Innocent men, women and children are being treated like violent criminals simply because of their appearance. I am devastated for all of the people in my community fearing for their safety and the safety of their friends and families.”

“Everyone deserves the right to due process,” Harris said. “When people can be picked up off the streets based on racial profiling, it is not only a gross injustice to them as an individual, but a signal to everyone that all our rights, too, can be violated with impunity. Across the country and right here in Indiana, immigrants have helped build and shape our communities. A poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, which has greeted countless immigrants to this nation, reads, ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ I truly believe that this sentiment is the great promise of America and, because of this belief, I can’t view these ICE raids as anything other than un-American."

See these resources from the National Immigration Law Center to know your rights if ICE is encountered in the community.

State Rep. Boy retires after 22 years of public service

State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) has announced her retirement from the Indiana General Assembly. Elected in 2018, Boy has served on the House Environmental Affairs Committee, the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, and as the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. Boy will continue serving in office through the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 17.
 
Last session, Boy had two bills signed into law. House Enrolled Act 1376 expands access to opioid overdose reversal medication and House Enrolled Act 1380 exempts motor driven cycles and lightweight electric vehicles from supplemental fees.
 
"After 22 years of public service, I have made the bittersweet decision to step back and focus on my family while continuing to be a proud neighbor and resource to Michigan City," Boy said. "Serving the people of Northwest Indiana has been the honor of a lifetime and one of my most meaningful experiences. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside so many dedicated colleagues, community leaders and advocates who share a deep commitment to improving the lives of Hoosiers.
 
"This work has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. I am especially proud of the work we have done together to protect Indiana’s natural environment, strengthen public health and safety, and give a voice to those who too often go unheard. Sometimes those attempts were unsuccessful, but they called attention to those issues. Getting two of my bills signed into law this past session, HEA 1376 and HEA 1380, was a milestone that reminded me how collaboration and persistence can lead to real results for our communities.

 
"Although I am stepping away from elected office, my heart will always be with the people I had the privilege to serve. I wish my colleagues in the General Assembly continued success and thank them for their friendship and partnership throughout the years. I will be spending more time with my family and my cat, tending to my long-neglected garden and staying engaged in the community that has given me so much. I look forward to watching the next public servant continue this important work with the same care and determination that has always inspired me. Thank you, House District 9."
 
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement regarding Boy's retirement:
 
"It has been a pleasure to work alongside Rep. Boy for the past seven years. During that time, she fought for vulnerable Hoosiers, worked to protect Indiana's environment and enhanced public health and safety throughout our state.
 
"Before coming to the Statehouse, Rep. Boy served her community as a union worker, a small business owner and as a member of the Michigan City Common Council. Her adult life has been dedicated to giving back to her community and creating a better state for all Hoosiers to thrive in.
 
"While House Democrats will miss serving alongside Pat, she has certainly earned a relaxing retirement with her family. Thank you, Pat."

Porter comments on Trump admin cancelling grant for low-income students due to DEI

Last week, the Trump Administration cancelled a $34.9 million grant to Purdue University for the Indiana GEAR UP program. According to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), the grant was cancelled to prioritize “excellence, fairness and merit in education.” Indiana Gear Up partners with nine school corporations, including Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), to prepare low-income students for college. 

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

“Indiana Republicans attacked DEI, refusing to acknowledge that these programs serve more than just racial minorities. The loss of Indiana GEAR UP is a direct result of the narrative they pushed. Anything deemed unfair, regardless of who it helps, is cut.

“Low-income students lost critical access to tutors, mentors and STEM coaching. It’s not unfair to provide these students with the same resources that wealthy families can afford to hire. Statehouse Republicans constantly attack inner-city public schools for their performance. Then they turn around and cut programs that benefit their students. 

“Gov. Braun and Purdue University have both been mum on this topic. Purdue didn’t appeal the grant termination, and the governor hasn’t asked the DOE to reverse its decision. To keep this program alive, I suggest using some of the funds put away for InvestEd. There’s a little over $100 million sitting unclaimed and unused, which could cover this program. 

‘If the federal government abandons our low-income students, the state can easily choose to support them.” 

GiaQuinta statement on IEDC audit

Following the release of a forensic audit into the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), IEDC Foundation and its partners, Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement:

"This is what happens when you don't have oversight. I like to be on the side of protecting Hoosier taxpayer dollars, always. Clearly the secrecy under which the IEDC has operated, which House Democrats questioned repeatedly, was not about maximizing economic development deals. Instead, it was about covering up the waste and excess of taxpayer dollars spent on lavish international travel, conflicts of interest and lack of competitive bidding on the LEAP project.

"Gov. Braun and the General Assembly must take on a deeper investigation of the far-reaching, questionable activities of the IEDC and look back further than 2022. It's hard to believe these ethical lapses only began in 2022. Hoosiers need to know more about the few elites who benefited from the IEDC's dealings and whether the law was broken. Many more questions need to be answered here before taxpayers have confidence in the IEDC's operations moving forward."

Bauer calls for oversight of new ICE detention center at Miami Correctional Facility

Today, State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) announced that she has sent a formal letter to Governor Mike Braun requesting formalized legislative oversight authority for the new federal immigration detention center at Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill.

This week, the first 15 detainees were transferred to the state prison, with up to 100 expected by week's end and plans for as many as 1,000 in total. Indiana has already committed $16 million in state resources for fencing, staffing, and upgrades to support the arrangement. While the state will be reimbursed $291 per detainee per day, Bauer warned those payments are contingent on full bed use and may not cover the upfront or long-term costs to taxpayers.

"Indiana has never before housed such large populations of federal immigration detainees in its prisons," Bauer said. "Without clear safeguards, we risk detaining people without guaranteeing their constitutional rights, due process or humane treatment. At the same time, taxpayers are already on the hook for millions in up-front costs."

In the letter, Bauer noted that while the Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) requires compliance with National Detention Standards and permits unannounced inspections by ICE or federal oversight bodies, it does not explicitly grant authority for the Indiana General Assembly or legislative committees to conduct formal oversight tours or audit reports. She requested that the Governor clarify by executive directive or legislative order that such authority will be recognized, and that inspection findings be published to the state legislature.

Bauer also called on the Governor to ensure:

1. Confidential legal access and interpretation services for detainees.

2. Transparency through public reporting of detainee numbers, transfers, medical care and grievances.

3. Publication of the full IGSA and all attachments.

4. Protection of human dignity and safety through access to medical and mental health care, safe conditions and effective grievance procedures.

"Transparency, accountability and access to counsel are the minimum safeguards necessary to uphold Indiana's values and legal responsibilities," Bauer said. "Formalizing legislative oversight authority will ensure ongoing accountability as this facility expands."

Bauer emphasized that as a member of the Courts and Criminal Code Committee, she will continue to push for legislative oversight of the facility and has asked colleagues to support a hearing on the issue.

Porter comments on IEDC audit

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement regarding FTI Consulting’s independent audit of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC):   

“I’m absolutely unsurprised by the information in the IEDC audit. The audit revealed what Democrats have stressed for almost three years. Secrecy and a blank check resulted in the exact outcome we expected, and we warned the majority over and over again. The IEDC is essentially an insider investment scheme that executives used to line their pockets and their buddies' pockets. 

“Multiple times I tried to remove IEDC requests from the State budget Committee (SBC) agendas, and each time it was voted down. We pushed for a decrease in IEDC funding in the state budget, and we proposed multiple pieces of legislation. 

“Republicans cannot claim to be the party of fiscal responsibility. They turned a blind eye to the IEDC, and the recent travel report shows they’ll use taxpayers' money for anything. Hoosiers paid $4,200 for a single helicopter trip and paid $56 for the governor’s two ice cream trips. 

“The audit is a good start, but it raises more questions. We need more details, and we need to know who was involved. Hoosiers had millions of their hard-earned dollars misappropriated when many families are taking on debt to stay afloat. This audit proves a disservice to the people of Indiana that deserves a deeper investigation.” 

Yoder, Pierce award Circle of Corydon posthumously to Andy Mahler

Tomorrow, Oct. 3, Andy Mahler will receive the Governor's Circle of Corydon award posthumously. Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) and State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) nominated Mahler for the award. Senator Yoder will present the award to his wife, Linda Lee, at the Heartwood Reunion, which celebrates the founding of the grassroots movement to protect the public forests of the central hardwood region of the North American continent.

Mahler was an activist, poet, musician, and builder who dedicated over 40 years of his life to Indiana’s outdoors. A Bloomington native, he founded multiple organizations centered on conservation, including Protect Our Woods, which saved the Hoosier National Forest from being clear-cut in the 1980s. Mahler passed away peacefully on Aug. 30 at his home in Paoli.

“Andy Mahler was a strategic and relentless advocate for Indiana’s natural resources,” said Yoder. “He understood that environmental stewardship is not just about preserving landscapes but about shaping the values that define a state. His work helped build durable protections, strengthen local communities and ensure that our shared environment is managed with both care and foresight. His legacy lives on in the forests he defended, the policies he shaped and the generations he inspired to lead with principle. I extend my heartfelt wishes to those who loved him and hope they find comfort in knowing his life’s work will continue to guide Indiana’s path forward.”

“Andy Mahler's legacy will live on in countless future generations who will enjoy the forests he dedicated his life to protecting," said Pierce. “From preserving the Hoosier National Forest to creating multiple advocacy organizations, he inspired so many people to join a movement that demonstrated the tremendous power of people working together for a common cause.” 

Mahler’s obituary can be found here.