Hoosiers in Ripley and Franklin Counties Aren’t Buying Mike Pence’s Economic Snapshot

INDIANAPOLIS – On the campaign trail, Mike Pence tells Hoosiers that Indiana’s economy has never been better and the state is “at its peak.” But Hoosiers in Ripley and Franklin Counties aren’t buying it.

It’s not just Mike Pence’s out-of-touch social agenda that’s turning away jobs and damaging the state. Under Mike Pence, the strength of income for Hoosiers has dropped to 38^th in the nation – with Franklin and Ripley Counties falling further behind the state per capita average ($39,578). On the average, Hoosier workers only make 86 cents on the American dollar and the state of Indiana ranks last in economic growth in the Midwest.

Mike Pence is just not getting the job done as governor, and hardworking Hoosiers continue to fall behind the rest of the nation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: INDIANA IS FALLING BEHIND THE REST OF THE NATION

Overall State Economy

• Indiana’s economy grew at a sluggish .4% rate in 2014. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana’s economy grew .5% or less three of last four years. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana ranks LAST in economic growth in the Midwest. – [NWI Times, 6.10.15]
• Indiana ranks 38^th in per capita income, down from 34th in 2004. – [NWI Times, 03.26.16]
• Median Incomes: Wages have dropped from $53,500 in 2000 to $46,900 in 2013. – [U.S. Census]
• Hoosiers make 86 cents for every one American dollar earned. – [Indianapolis Star, 6.1.15]
• Indiana ranks 46^th in quality of life, 42^nd in workforce. – [CNBC]
• About two thirds of minimum wage workers in Indiana are women. – [Forbes, 7, 2015]
• Hoosier women make 75 cents for every dollar a man makes. – [AAUW, 2015]
• African American households earn on average $21,000 less than white households. – [Indianapolis Star, 4.11.15]
• Hispanic households make $15,000 less than white households. – [Indianapolis Star, 4.11.15]

Mike Pence’s RFRA

• Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in a closed door ceremony [FOX 59, 3.26.15], throwing Indiana into a $250 million economic panic. – [The Advocate, 7.10.15]

Pence Repeals Common Construction Wage Law

• Mike Pence and Statehouse Republicans repealed the common construction wage laws, allowing union worker wages to go down and the expanding wage gap continues to grow in our state. – [NWI Times, 5.6.15]

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