House Democrats prioritize ‘fully funded' education, eliminating waitlists in budget
Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, presents budget priorities for House Democrats on Feb. 18, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Indiana's House Democrats presented its own budget proposal Tuesday, pushing for 'fully funded' K-12 and the elimination of waitlists for Medicaid waiver services.
Other priorities for House Democrats included universal pre-K, upping investments in veteran services and increasing tax credits for impoverished Hoosiers.
Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, painted the proposal as a response to Hoosier wants, contrasting it with budgets from Gov. Mike Braun or House Republicans.
'Smoke and Mirrors': Democrats, critics denounce Republican budget proposal over school funding
'We're living in unprecedented times with high prices,' Porter told reporters. '… no matter how much you make, your paycheck does not stretch enough.'
House Republicans opted to increase K-12 funding by 2% each year, but that boost includes dollars for fully funded virtual school students and additional money for 'school choice' vouchers.
Public school advocates say that the increase for traditional schools alone will be closer to 1.3%.
Indiana is projected to have modest revenue growth over the next biennium. Porter said savings could be realized by revisiting economic development funding, halting planned tax cuts and increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.
The proposal includes an additional $300 million for Medicaid to hedge against potential cuts from the federal government on top of money to eliminate waitlists. The federal government pays for roughly two-thirds of Indiana's Medicaid program.
'We're going to have cuts at the federal level; we have to be ready for those cuts,' Porter said.
House Democrats would also restore funding for Health First Indiana, the College Success Program, Martin University and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
However, supermajority Republicans are unlikely to accept the proposal.
Porter said that House Democrats, which hold 30 seats in the 100-member House, represented closer to one-third of Indiana's 6.8 million people.
'We must have — should have — a seat at the table and more input in the state budget,' Porter said.
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