Indiana House Democrats introduce Working Hoosiers Agenda

Today, Jan. 5, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus announced its 2026 Working Hoosiers Agenda. The agenda centers on bringing down the cost of living and prioritizes measures to build an Indiana where Hoosiers can get ahead rather than get by.

Those measures include bringing utility costs down; lowering health care costs and protecting Hoosiers from medical debt; helping Hoosiers buy their first home through housing reform; delivering accessible, affordable and safe child care to working families; and keeping Indiana safe for all Hoosiers.

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

"From utility bills and health insurance to housing costs and child care, Hoosiers are getting nickled and dimed to death. We're laser focused on bringing down costs across the board and we've offered solutions to do just that. Hoosiers need to come first in our state's regulatory pecking order – not big corporations, not Big Tech, not special interests.

"Indiana House Democrats’ Working Hoosiers Agenda is about leveling the playing field for the hard-working people who power our state. Hoosiers need a hand up, not a handout. Our agenda accomplishes this so that Hoosiers get real relief, not more lip service from the Braun supermajority."

See the full Working Hoosiers Agenda below:

Priority 1: Provide immediate financial relief on utility bills 

• Eliminate the sales tax on residential utility bills (estimated $350 average annual savings per household)

• Protect Hoosiers from being overcharged by limiting excessive utility company profit margins 

• Pause skyrocketing rate hikes 

• Get big utilities out of politics by ending the appointment of political cronies to consumer watchdog positions and banning spending on political contributions and gifts 

Priority 2: Keep Hoosiers healthy through affordable health coverage and guardrails on medical debt 

• Cap insurance premiums 

• Create a state health insurance exchange 

• Stop medical debt from impacting credit scores 

Priority 3: Create generational wealth by empowering more Hoosier homeowners 

• Help Hoosiers save for their first home by creating tax-free savings accounts for home purchases 

• Establish a first-time homebuyer grant program funded by a tax on predatory real estate investors 

• Deliver a property tax credit for real and immediate relief for homeowners 

Priority 4: Deliver accessible, affordable and safe childcare for working families 

• Create a public-private partnership program to split childcare costs between employers, the state of Indiana and parents 

• Save families money through a childcare tax credit 

• Fully fund Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers to keep daycare centers open and parents at work 

Priority 5: Keep Hoosiers safe in their homes and neighborhoods 

• Fund the police, fire, and EMS by taking Senate Enrolled Act 1 back to the drawing board and inviting more public input 

• Keep violent offenders off the streets and deter violent crimes against law enforcement officers through harsher sentencing 

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."

Porter comments on revenue, economic and Medicaid forecasts

Today, Dec. 18, the State Budget Committee (SBC) discussed the revenue, economic and Medicaid forecasts before the remainder of the 2026 legislative session. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement about the revenue and economic forecasts:  

“Indiana’s doing much better than expected. We’re up by almost $1.8 billion for the biennium. That warrants reopening the state budget. The budget deficit we expected isn’t happening.

“The majority put Indiana’s limited funds towards their voucher expansion. Then they cut social services, including Health First Indiana, Housing First and individual financial aid. Right now, Hoosiers need those safety nets.  

“Roughly 75% of people are using credit cards to buy Christmas presents. That’s an economic forecast in itself. Hoosiers don’t have any breathing room. Let’s use people’s hard-earned tax dollars for their benefit, instead of hoarding it in the surplus.”

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) expect to save $465 million from its 2025 Medicaid appropriation. Porter released the following statement about the Medicaid forecast: 

“I have one question for the Braun administration: Is it worth it? You cut reimbursement rates for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF). Now, multiple providers have closed, and 30,000 kids are on the waitlist. There are 9,188 seniors on the Pathways waitlist, a 16% increase from June. You’ll save even more money from today’s changes to ABA therapy at the expense of children in need. 

“The savings prove we can shrink the waitlists. Instead, you're padding stats. You’ve let Indiana’s most vulnerable go without care to cut costs. These were needless, cruel cuts that put fiscal conservatism above the common good. I encourage Gov. Braun to reverse his cuts and shrink the waitlists.”

Smith shares importance of community, invites residents to Spirit of Christmas

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) is hosting the 37th annual Spirit of Christmas food and gift giveaway from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT at the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center (1900 W. 41st Avenue, Gary, Indiana, 46408). The event is co-hosted by the 6th District Councilman of the City of Gary, Dwight A. Williams, and the IU Dons Incorporated. 

The Spirit of Christmas is a free event that all in the greater Gary community are invited to attend. Gifts are available for all ages.

“This event is about the true meaning of Christmas,” Smith said. “It’s about joining together as a community and following in the footsteps of our Savior. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we are reminded of his holy mission of selfless service. The Spirit of Christmas embodies his mission. 

“Many in the greater Gary community are in need of good company, food and some holiday spirit. Join us for an afternoon of celebration and togetherness. If you need a meal, there will be a boxed food giveaway. We also have gifts for people of all ages. Join me to celebrate the birth of Christ through community and the joy of service.”

Anyone who wishes to donate or volunteer for this event will be deeply appreciated. Accepted donations include unwrapped gifts, gift cards and cash donations. For more information about donating or volunteering, you can call Smith at (219)887-2046. 

Prioritizing child care is prioritizing Indiana’s economy and future

Every parent in the state knows that Indiana is in the middle of a child care crisis. In 2024, we were ranked the worst state in the nation for access to child care. With nearly seven million people in the state, Indiana has just 772 licensed child care facilities as of last year. Indiana only has enough child care providers to serve 61% of our state's children.               

                Since this report was released, Gov. Mike Braun's administration has stopped giving new child care vouchers and slashed the number of spots in the state preschool program in half. Last month, child care advocacy group Early Learning Indiana estimated that providers are losing around $3.8 million in funding statewide thanks to enrollment decline and cuts to their reimbursement rates from the state. This is unsustainable, and if we don't do something to fix it, we will likely see a catastrophic number of care facilities forced to shut their doors.

Unfortunately, finding reliable child care is only half the battle. Right now, Hoosier parents spend, on average, $677 each month for child care. That's about 6% of the average Hoosier's monthly income. At a time when many Hoosiers are struggling to make ends meet thanks to rising utility bills and an ever-growing cost of living, spending nearly $700 a month on child care is simply impossible for many of our neighbors. I've heard numerous times from my Republican colleagues that parents in need should simply rely on their families and friends to watch their kids. This not only downplays the child care crisis we're in, but it disregards the circumstances of the many Hoosiers who don't have the blessing of that familial safety net. The numbers speak for themselves: 40% of parents who left the workforce in 2024 cited a lack of reliable child care. Nationwide, women are typically the ones forced out of the workforce, being up to eight times more likely than men to have employment issues due to child care issues. Not surprisingly, Black women and Latinas are disproportionally impacted.

A parent being priced out of the workforce due to the high cost of child care can have long-lasting, devastating financial consequences for individual families. But it also has ramifications for the entire state. A 2024 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Early Learning Indiana found that the state loses roughly $4.22 billion each year due to child care issues. This includes $1.17 billion annually in lost tax revenue.

We don't have to live like this. This month, while the House of Representatives was debating House Bill 1032 – the redistricting bill – the House Democratic Caucus offered a minority report. This legislation would have stripped the bill of any language related to mid-decade redistricting and replaced it with policy to eliminate the waitlists for and fully fund the Child Care and Development Fund and fully fund On My Way Pre-K vouchers, among other items related to cost of living. House Republicans blocked the measure by a vote of 64-24. Just a few years ago, when Indiana Republicans rushed to be the first state in the nation to ban abortion after the fall of Roe v. Wade, I heard countless times that Indiana is a "pro-life state."

Our Republican supermajority can't call themselves "pro-life" while simultaneously blocking any effort to create a good quality of life for Hoosiers. Child care is a critical part of our cultural infrastructure, and we need to be doing whatever we can in this legislative body to ensure Hoosiers can access it.

When we come back for session Jan. 5, I plan on finding solutions to Indiana's child care crisis. Our families deserve a fighter in the Statehouse, and that's exactly what I intend to be. Hoosiers today and in years to come depend on us in the Statehouse working together to create a better system for all families.

Garcia Wilburn honors Sandy Hook victims, calls for common-sense gun safety measures

State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) today hosted a Sandy Hook Remembrance Day event at the Statehouse to honor the victims of school shootings and advocate for stronger gun safety laws to protect Hoosier children.

The event, held in advance of the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting this weekend, brought together lawmakers, advocates, faith leaders and community members to remember the hundreds of students who have senselessly lost their lives to gun violence in schools across America.

"Thirteen years ago, 20 children and six educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Since then, countless more young lives have been stolen by gun violence in school shootings, on the streets and in homes. Indiana has made it easier, not harder, for guns to fall into the wrong hands," Garcia Wilburn said.

"The state legislature eliminated permit requirements for carrying handguns allowing more guns to land in the hands of the wrong people, like those who have taken the lives of precious school children. 

"Today was about remembering lives lost and recommitting ourselves to creating a future with fewer of these preventable tragedies. We should not have to accept school shootings as the new normal or hold our breath for the next tragedy. The defeat of the mid-decade redistricting bill this week showed Hoosiers that bipartisan, common-sense wins are possible if we use our collective voices.

"We can protect Second Amendment rights while being serious about gun safety. It's time for Indiana to pass common sense gun laws—because remembering victims means taking action to prevent the next tragedy."

The event featured remarks from advocates and lawmakers, music, multi-faith prayer, opportunities to connect with gun violence prevention organizations and a children's shoe drive benefiting Grace Care Center in memory of children lost to gun violence.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 4.6 million children live in homes with at least one loaded, unlocked firearm and nearly 360 children unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else every year. Research shows that safe storage laws—which require firearms to be stored securely and inaccessibly to children—significantly reduce unintentional shootings, youth suicides and school shootings.

Pryor comments on IURC appointments

Today, Dec. 12, Gov. Mike Braun announced three new appointees to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), member of the House Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications, issued the following statement: 

“No matter where in Indiana you live or what side of the political spectrum you are on, Hoosiers agree that utility costs are far too high. Utility rates have increased exponentially in the last decade. The pace at which utility companies are increasing prices on consumers is simply unsustainable. Nobody should have to sacrifice essentials like food or medication simply to keep the lights on. 

“Gov. Braun has stated that he is committed to making energy more affordable for Hoosier families. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is a crucial line of defense against utility companies exploiting consumers to raise their profit margins and ensure that consumers are delivered reliable service. I hope to see these new appointees stand up for Hoosier consumers and I look forward to seeing the governor’s specific proposals to lower rates. Come January, I hope to work with my colleagues across the aisle to solve kitchen table issues like this and help Hoosiers keep more of their hard-earned money.” 

According to the administration’s announcement, the commissioners are set to begin work on January 12, 2026.

Burton on Gov. Braun’s IURC appointees announcement

Today, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) issued the following statement on Gov. Braun’s announcement of the new three appointees to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC):

“As a legislator, I serve with intention. On the Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee, I’ve worked to be collaborative, build coalitions and offer an honest perspective to my colleagues and the Braun administration about the energy burden and challenges facing Southwest Indiana.

“As we develop and implement policy, it’s critical that Southwest Indiana has a strong voice at the table. I’m grateful that Bob Deig has been selected to serve on the IURC. His experience, perspective and commitment to advocating for Hoosiers will be a tremendous asset — especially for our region.

“I look forward to the newest members of the IURC keeping affordability at the forefront as decisions are made and policy is carried out.”

According to the administration’s announcement, the commissioners are set to begin work on January 12, 2026.

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."

Pierce reacts to the defeat of Republicans’ gerrymandered maps

Today, Dec. 11, the Indiana Senate voted down House Bill 1032, preserving Indiana’s current congressional map. The bill failed with a vote of 31-19. 

State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) released the following statement: 

“Today was a win for democracy and the people of Indiana. Unlike the House, a majority of Senators stood up for the Hoosier values of fairness and integrity, rejecting Washington, D.C.’s naked power grab. Hoosiers want healthy competition in their politics. That's how the will of the people gets translated into the policies they want.

“Now that this sad chapter of the General Assembly's history is over, it's time for the legislature to apply the same sense of urgency and effort to solving the real problems facing Hoosiers. Too many people are living paycheck to paycheck. Costs continue to skyrocket for groceries, health care, utilities, and child care. I look forward to leaving partisan issues behind and working to improve the lives of all Hoosiers."

Moseley: The people won the redistricting debate

Today, Dec. 11, the Indiana Senate rejected a congressional map that would have carved up the state of Indiana to benefit one party. House Bill 1032 was voted down by a vote of 31-19.

State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage) issued the following statement:

"The people have spoken, and thankfully, the Indiana Senate listened and acted accordingly. Ultimately, the people won the redistricting debate. Despite Gov. Braun's efforts, my colleagues in the Senate rejected pressure from Washington insiders and put the needs of Hoosiers first.

"This is a good day for democracy, and it's a good day for Indiana. Now, let's get to work on the issues impacting Hoosiers every day: an absurd cost of living, rising utility rates and a health care system that prioritizes profits over people. I look forward to coming in Jan. 5 to fight for District 10."

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!"