Gregory Porter: Republican dysfunction is hurting Hoosier children

After a decade of holding a supermajority, Republicans should be adept at smooth transitions of power. But the past six months have been far from smooth.

The Braun administration has experienced multiple roadblocks and unfulfilled promises—of course, blaming all its problems on former Gov. Eric Holcomb or other “moderate” Statehouse Republicans.

But Republicans need to get it together for our kids.

Regardless of political party, it’s our duty to care for our children who are dependent on their community. The most recent failure has been the Braun administration’s 60% cut of funding for the On My Way Pre-K program. Only 2,500 kids will be enrolled this year. This is a stark contrast to Braun’s initial budget proposal, which included a $52 million increase for the program.

A forecasted $2 billion deficit impacted some spending plans, but Indiana had the funding to support On My Way Pre-K. Multiple times, I pitched an expansion of the program or a child care tax credit, but each proposal was shot down.

Instead, Republicans moved forward with their $1.2 billion voucher expansion. Indiana’s wealthiest families will get funding for their children’s private-school tuition while our less-fortunate families struggle to afford preschool. The impact of their decision is already clear, with Indianapolis Public Schools ending free pre-K for all families due to budget constraints.

The dysfunction even extends to national icon Dolly Parton. In 2023, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expanded statewide with a matching grant of $6 million from Holcomb—chump change compared to our $45 billion budget.

Braun cut the free book program.

I fought for the program’s inclusion in the state budget, but Republican leaders had other ideas. Private donors are now to fund Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. We haven’t received an update on the success of fundraising, and I pray it works for our kids. But again, Republicans chose to leave the Imagination Library hanging in the hands of philanthropy.

It’s not just early education that’s been affected by Republicans. It’s also our kids’ health.

Almost two years ago, Medicaid’s attendant care program, which allows parents to be paid to care for their children with significant disabilities, was moved to a different waiver, and caregivers’ pay decreased. Republicans’ explanation was that the costs of the program had been unsustainable. But they offered little help to our medically complex children during the process of change.

Families experienced financial strain, pauses in their child’s care, and silence from Statehouse leadership. The waiver transition was chaotic. And about 5,500 of our vulnerable families are still on the waitlist for care today.

Now, the Braun administration plans to change the waiver again, even though the dust hasn’t settled from the last hasty transition.

Probably the most glaring impact of Republican dysfunction is on the SUN Bucks program, which helped feed close to 700,000 kids last summer. Indiana decided not to participate in the federally funded program, although it would have cost the state zero dollars.

According to the Braun administration, Indiana is not participating because “the necessary groundwork had not been completed to launch the program in time for this summer.” But as an elected official, I can say that missing deadlines and failing to complete paperwork are not sufficient explanations for children missing meals.

For the sake of our kids, it’s past time for Republican leaders to get it together. Or maybe, try taking input from across the aisle or from the public for a change.•

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Porter, D-Indianapolis, represents District 96 in the Indiana House.