INGov Summary: Hoosiers Fall Behind in the Pence-Holcomb Economy

INDIANAPOLIS – With one day before Election Day, it’s worth noting that Hoosier families have fallen behind the rest of the nation over the last four Mike Pence-Eric Holcomb years.

Yet, Eric Holcomb continues to be “quite proud” of the last four years and an Indiana economy that has Hoosier wages falling and economic growth consistently trailing the national average. Actually, Eric Holcomb ignores these facts, and like other Statehouse Republicans, is betting on the snapshot of a jobs number for political success.

“Eric Holcomb says he is ‘quite proud’ of the last four years and an Indiana economy where Hoosiers are working more for less while our state grows much slower than everyone else,” said John Zody, chairman. “Eric Holcomb not only wants to continue with these failed economic policies, but he also won’t admit Indiana is falling behind the rest of the nation. Hoosiers deserve a governor who will be honest about the economy and not just tout a jobs number that only tells a piece of the story.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: INDIANA IS FALLING BEHIND THE REST OF THE NATION

• Indiana’s economy grew at 1.7%, trailing the national 2.4% average. – [Indy Star, 6.14.16]
• Per Capita Income: Indiana ranks 38^th in per capita income, down from 33^rd in 2004. – [NWI Times, 03.2016]
• 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]
• 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 45^th in quality of life, 36th in workforce. – [CNBC, 6.2016]
• 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]
• 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]
• Mike Pence and Statehouse Republicans repealed the common construction wage laws, allowing union worker wages to go down and the expanding wage gap continues to grow in our state.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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