Indiana Democrats:
Creating a Better Future for Hoosier Families
The Indiana Democratic Party is committed to building a brighter tomorrow for Indiana and Hoosier families. Our state is at a crossroads, and rather than meddle in the controversy of the day, Indiana Democrats are getting to work and delivering opportunities for the families that call Indiana home – no matter the county or size of community.
Democrats are getting things done. Since the start of the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris Administration, Hoosiers like U.S. Congressmen André Carson and Frank Mrvan have stood up for Hoosier families time and again when it mattered most. Both members of Congress got to work and delivered transformative, once-in-a-generation investments that will forever change our lives and the communities we call home.
Read more below….
Creating a Better Future for Hoosier Families
This started with the American Rescue Plan. Thanks to this COVID-19 relief package, all Hoosiers now have access to a vaccine, every single county in the state received necessary relief to make up for lost revenues, Indiana’s cities and towns also saw critical relief to address long standing infrastructure or revenue needs, our first responders received funding to fight crime and keep our communities safe, Indiana’s public schools saw funding streams return to levels not seen for more than a decade, educators finally received a pay raise, families received tax relief – lifting more than 80,000 of our kids out of poverty, the state’s childcare system received $540 million to fight its ongoing crisis, Governor Holcomb’s READI program received $500 million for state economic projects, and more than $250 million was provided to expand broadband internet access across Indiana. There’s no doubt the American Rescue Plan delivered for Indiana when it mattered most – and it was Indiana Democrats who answered the call to get it all done.
Democrats didn’t stop there. Congressmen Carson and Mrvan also delivered on the opportunity to revitalize and forever transform Indiana’s infrastructure system with The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With their simple “YES” vote, Indiana’s roads and bridges will receive about $7 billion for repairs – reclaiming our “Crossroads of America” reputation, about $751 million will be used to replace Indiana’s water infrastructure system – delivering safe and clean water to all Hoosiers, more than $680 million will be used to update public transportation systems in our cities, an additional $100 million to further expand broadband internet, about $100 million to expand the state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network, and $20 million to help the state fight the impact climate change has on our communities.
Moreover, Democrats in the Indiana General Assembly delivered substantial criminal justice reform during the 2021 legislative session. Thanks to the leadership of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC), the systemic policies that have set Black and Brown Hoosiers back from a brighter future have begun to crumble, opening the doors to better opportunities for families in our marginalized communities. This means these reform policies will provide de-escalation training for officers, define chokehold tactics, hold officers accountable for misusing body cameras, and increase transparency of law enforcement disciplinary actions.
President Joe Biden and Indiana Democrats got all of this done in 2021. We delivered a better future for Indiana and Hoosier families in all 92 counties. The Indiana Democratic Party is the political organization that is getting stuff done, and we must not back down from the work we’ve accomplished. In fact, Democrats must be proud and travel to every community possible to celebrate this opportunity. It’s up to Indiana Democrats to share how we – not the Republicans – are getting to work and delivering for people. That’s why last year, the state party held events in 55 counties celebrating the American Rescue Plan and The Jobs Act.
Here’s the promise – “The Hoosier Promise” – Indiana Democrats can make for you: We will continue to visit communities in all 92 counties to share more news, because Indiana is at its strongest when all small towns and large cities thrive – and we’re ready to show up regardless of political opportunity. There’s more to accomplish to make Indiana the place for all Hoosier families to thrive, but it’ll be the Democrats who will deliver on this brighter future. Take a look at the 2022 Indiana Democratic Party Platform here and join us in building this better tomorrow for the state we call home.
Creating Economic Success for All Workers, Hoosier Families
The facts don’t lie. Indiana’s economy is leaving Hoosiers behind. The cost of living keeps rising, but Hoosiers’ incomes haven’t kept up. Hoosier Democrats are committed to ensuring families do not just make ends meet but thrive. To accomplish this, it’s past time to dismantle the “work more for less” economy created by the Indiana Republican Party. Too many Hoosiers work more than one job just to put food on the table, and now is the moment to deliver livable wages for our workers and their families.
Here’s the economic reality for Indiana. Thanks to the Indiana Republican Party, “good jobs” have left the state and have been filled by low-wage jobs. About892,000 Hoosiersearn a wage that’s less than $15.00 an hour. And because of the Republicans’ “right to work” policies, the state’s workforce has now earned an“F” rating byeconomic experts.
The Republicans’ short-changing economy must end. Democrats must be bold in identifying new and creative solutions to putting every Hoosier back to work in a good-paying career and work to ensure the workforce has the skills to succeed.
A Fair Deal for Hoosier Workers
The Indiana Democratic Party stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the efforts of our partners in organized labor to remain the foundation of the American marketplace. Now more than ever, workplace safety is critical as the country and our state grapple with COVID-19. We’ll fight to repeal efforts to purposefully undermine Hoosier workers’ right to organize and demand fair wages and safe working conditions.
A World-Class Public Education System
Indiana’s Constitution guarantees a quality public education for every Hoosier child.Public schools are the heartbeats of urban, suburban, and rural communities alike, and Republicans have failed to live up to this promise, and instead, they have put the health of Indiana’s communities in jeopardy. Recent state budgets show Republicans want to dismantle public education. Whether it’s consistently under-funding rural and urban public schools, denying educators a pay raise, and super-funding an unregulated school choice system Republicans have created a state education system that earned a“D+” grade by experts. This is an unacceptable grade, and Republicans are failing our children as well as Indiana’s future.
It’s time to focus on what’s best for student learning again. It’s past time the state addresses and solves the ongoing teacher shortage crisis. Moreover, the incessant misinformation and culture wars fueled by the Indiana Republican Party – including the crusade on nonexistent Critical Race Theory (CRT) curriculum – must end. For too long, political debates have outweighed what is best for students. It starts with respecting teachers, educational best practices, and returning the emphasis to the classroom.
Invest in Hoosiers, Reduce the Cost of Living, and Develop a 21st Century Workforce
Our state’s most valuable resource has always been Hoosiers. Time and again, Hoosiers have proved, with the right tools, our work ethic, ingenuity, and creativity are second to none.To compete in the global economy, the state government must create an economy that’s reflective of the 21stCentury by investing in Hoosiers and buildingstrong, welcoming communities.
Safe and Strong Communities
Building safe and strong communities means examining past practices and ensuring every stakeholder has a seat at the table. For too long, Indiana has failed to look inward and confront policies that marginalize Hoosiers who identify as a person of color. It’s time to move Indiana forward by creating a better future for everyone, not just the status quo.
Democrats firmly oppose the practice of racial profiling in all potential applications, especially as a law enforcement tool. We must celebrate the recent reforms passed by the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus in 2021 while also confronting and correcting systemic racism in housing, workplace, health care, environment, and safety policies.
We further call on all of our Democratic candidates who run for public office in the State of Indiana to include in their platform policies aimed at improving our communities in an equitable and just manner for Hoosiers of color and those in our community who have faced persistent and systematic discrimination. We are the political party that has for decades called for and worked to ensure the civil rights and liberties of communities of color. Democratic candidates are expected to listen to the needs of all diverse communities and build new paths that guarantee all Hoosiers prosperous, equal, and free lives. This commitment should be reflected in Democratic candidates’ campaign organizations.
Healthier Communities and Lowering the Cost of Health Care
The United States is the richest country on earth, yet we rank near last among industrialized countries in health care coverage. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), pre-existing conditions no longer mean a lifetime of medical debt, a loss of coverage, or worse. Further, the ACA installed a consistent streamline of funding to create the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 (HIP). Democrats must celebrate the Affordable Care Act and the long-term health care opportunities it provides to Hoosier families.
Democrats must also curb the rising cost of premiums and prescription drugs, preserve Medicare, and fight any efforts to decrease access to affordable health care. The Affordable Care Act isn’t perfect and it’s up to Democrats to make universal health coverage a reality for every American.
Further, Democrats must stem the rising tide of opioid addiction in our communities. Indiana’s opioid overdose death rate has quadrupled since 1999. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are 109 opioid prescriptions for every 100 Hoosiers. And Indiana lags neighboring states in access to treatment. We must take proactive steps to end this scourge.
Equality and Justice for All: Protecting the Rights of All Hoosiers
The Indiana Democratic Party is proud of our longstanding commitment to and support for civil rights and equality. We support making the promise of “equal protection under the law” a reality for all Hoosiers – regardless of who they are.
Republican leaders at the General Assembly have invested too much time and taxpayer resources focused on divisive culture wars that send an unwelcoming message to those around us. These crusades – based on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fear – further prove the Indiana Republican Party is bad for business, and their partisan efforts must end.
Democrats reaffirm our commitment to fully embrace Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as well as full enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for Hoosiers with disabilities and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
The Indiana Democratic Party opposes all forms of discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity and all efforts to enshrine discrimination in our state’s Constitution.
As Democrats, we oppose discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation andwe strongly support the adoption of a statewide policy barring discrimination against LGBTQ+ Hoosiers. To beat this effort, Democrats continue its call for the Indiana General Assembly to pass an all-inclusive hate crimes prevention legislation.
As Democrats, we believe that older workers are a vital part of the workforce and that prohibitions against age discrimination should be enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as any other discrimination. We also continue to support legislation that would protect the freedom of all Hoosiers and create tougher penalties for those who infringe, criminally or otherwise, on those freedoms.
Democrats are concerned with accessibility issues for those with disabilities, including personal income limits and attaining and sustaining personal care when needed. We also believe that a state Family and Medical Leave Act should be ratified and that meaningful remedies be available when a person is subjected to discrimination and seeks redress under our state’s civil rights statute. Further, Hoosiers should not be bound by their disabilities. Therefore, Democrats will advocate for a better environment for entrepreneurship and small business opportunities for Hoosiers with disabilities.
We believe those who wish to make a life for themselves and their families in Indiana should be afforded the opportunity to do so. Furthermore, it is unconscionable for any human being to be exploited or abused. Every Hoosier deserves to be treated with basic human decency and should be allowed to pursue the American Dream.
We believe that state and local governments, as well as the private sector, should create a truly diverse and inclusive economic infrastructure by making it a priority to buy goods and services from minority contractors.
Democrats are working to ensure that every Hoosier gets a fair shot to achieve the American Dream. For the sake of current and future generations, we feel it is our duty to put an end to any injustices that threaten that goal. In the Indiana Democratic Party, everyone has, and always will have, a voice.
Election Reform and Redistricting
To restore trust in government, the Indiana Democratic Party supports the right of every eligible Hoosier citizen to register to vote and cast a ballot without undue burden, fear, or intimidation.
Securing the Future of Our Most Vulnerable
Every Hoosier deserves a fair shot at success, economic security, and earning a good living. The Indiana Democratic Party has a long and proud tradition of championing policies that provide Hoosiers with a launching pad to achieve their full potential.
We know that children live better lives when their families are strong. This is exactly why Democrats supported and passed the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – because these laws will deliver on that promise.
Democrats are committed to celebrating this better future we’ve created for families in all 92 counties. Whether it’s employment, transportation, childcare, education, discrimination, or eldercare – Democrats are removing all potential obstacles that can prevent individuals from reaching their full potential in the workforce.
But our work does not stop there. The Indiana Democratic Party supports policies that will assist Hoosier families with these issues and provide opportunities to earn success. This means looking after our most vulnerable and creating policies to protect our children, including:
- Fully-funding the Department of Child Services(DCS) to achieve a meaningful decrease in child abuse and neglect and a significant reduction in deaths of abused and neglected children.
- Ensuring family case managers are properlytrained and compensated and develop a tuition forgiveness program for college graduates who work for DCS.
Democrats have a moral obligation to take care of our nation’s seniors, and after a lifetime of paying into these programs, we have a responsibility to ensure that both Medicare and Social Security are preserved for current and future retirees. We must ensure the state programs designed to help protect and support our Hoosier seniors are adequately funded.
The Indiana Democratic Party believes that vulnerable Hoosiers, including senior citizens and low-income families, must not be the victims of those who would take advantage of them through risky mortgages, loans, or identity and investment schemes. Hoosier families must be free from the fear of losing money to predatory lenders or dubious commercial enterprises. We should also recognize the importance of consumer protections by supporting efforts to bolster cybersecurity and fraud reduction.
As the Party that advocates for all Hoosiers, Democrats also understand that it’s time to address one of the most crippling issues facing our families in all communities: addiction. Democrats stand for:
- Fully supporting adequate funding for substanceabuse treatment and prevention services, including programs for prenatal substance abuse prevention and proven therapeutic opportunities – like cannabis.
- Fighting food insecurity and making it clearwe are committed to a guarantee that, in the richest country in the world, no Hoosier should go hungry.
Conserving our Land, Promoting Energy Independence
Indiana is the most chemically polluted state in the United States. This is simply unacceptable. We should be striving to protect and cherish our state’s heritage and natural health now and in the future.
The Indiana Democratic Party believes in a strong, balanced approach to energy production and environmental stewardship and is keenly aware that our state’s economy depends on healthy land. We believe a responsible and comprehensive energy policy should provide clean, affordable energy to Hoosier families and businesses while promoting domestic production and national security. We also must face the existential threat climate change poses to every element of our lives.
Luckily, Democrats have already begun this work. Thanks to The Jobs Act, more than $100 million is being used to expand the state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network, making EV the future for Hoosier drivers. Further, about $20 million will be used to help Indiana fight climate change the extreme weather Hoosiers have faced in recent years.
Hoosiers have a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the evolving energy economy. The production of renewable and alternative energy sources could create jobs and compete with conventional sources of power to drive down the cost of power, spur innovation, and preserve our land.
We also recognize Hoosier communities and our economy are built on the foundation of our natural resources—from Lake Michigan and the Hoosier National Forest to our rivers and streams and fertile farmland.
A Comprehensive Approach to the Crossroads of America
Indiana’s infrastructure has been crumbling. From outdated bridges to dial-up internet, Indiana lacks a true foundation for faster and more efficient modes of transportation. Local communities struggle to maintain what they have – let alone thinking about how to improve or expand.
Luckily, Indiana Democrats joined President Biden and delivered transformational infrastructure investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Because of this work, the state can reclaim its “Crossroads of America” reputation with extensive repairs to the state’s roads and bridges. Indiana’s public transportation systems will see a once-in-a-generation opportunity to update its infrastructure to fit a modern nation. Further, Indiana’s water system will be overhauled so that all Hoosiers can enjoy safe and clean drinking water in their homes. Lastly, Democrats delivered more than $350 million to expand broadband internet access across Indiana – thanks to The Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan.
However, the work is never over and the Indiana Democratic Party strongly backs making significant and strategic investments in Indiana’s infrastructure through the targeted use of federal and state dollars. Better transit options mean better access to good-paying jobs. Infrastructure investment is as critical to the Indiana economy as it is to Hoosier communities.
Honoring Our Veterans
The Indiana Democratic Party honors those who serve in the United States Armed Forces, as well as the Indiana National Guard and Air National Guard. The dedication of an individual in this service is the ultimate selfless act on behalf of one’s state and country.
It is our steadfast belief that we must continue to be committed to giving our brave men and women the tools to succeed in whatever endeavor our nation faces, whether it’s at home or abroad. We must help bridge the gap between military families and the benefits they’ve rightfully earned, such as quality, state-of-the-art health care access through the national Veterans’ Affairs system.
Our Party is committed to providing our aging and newly returned veterans the benefits they have earned. Our duty to those who serve our nation does not end when they leave that service. We must guarantee that our veterans have access to the health benefits, education, and job opportunities we promised them.
Download the full Hoosier Promise here:
Publications
American Rescue Plan: How it Benefits You →
President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan is delivering much-needed relief to Hoosier families while helping Indiana put COVID-19 in the rearview mirror.
A Better Future Created for Hoosier Families →
Thanks to the work of U.S. Congressmen André Carson and Frank Mrvan, President Joe Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring transformational investments to Indiana.
Democrats Deliver for Indiana’s Small Towns and Rural Communities →
Indiana Democrats have delivered for public schools, Indiana’s ag community, and for Hoosier families – regardless of the Zip code. This is a look at how Democrats continue to create a better future for all of Indiana.