House Republicans deny relief to homeowners, strike down ‘Back to Basics’ property tax plan

Today, April 9, House Ways and Means Ranking Democrat State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) proposed his plan for property tax relief. The House majority struck down all of Porter’s amendments to provide significant savings to homeowners and fund relief through the state. 

“They’re pushing their plan through without input,” Porter said. ”House Republicans will do what they want, even though Democrats represent many of the communities with high property tax revenue. Now they get to put $1.4 billion in tax cuts on their mailers while homeowners will save an average of $245. Those savings will be zeroed out with local income tax increases. Everybody, except manufacturers, loses with this proposal. 

“Our communities will lose over $939 million, and our schools will lose over $534 million. Maybe more since we don’t have the updated numbers for amendment 36, which has been a huge issue with this bill’s process. We had fire chiefs come and tell us they’ll have to close fire houses or let firefighters go. The House GOP gave $1 billion to the LEAP district, and we paid $1.7 billion in cash for a single prison. But we can only give homeowners about $245? They want people to move here for economic development, but they voted down a first-time homebuyer’s credit. I’m disappointed but not surprised.” 

A list of the amendments House Republicans voted down is below: 

• Amendment 14: Reinstates the first-time homebuyers tax deduction provision Senate Republicans included in Senate Bill 1. 

• Amendment 15: Removes language from the bill dissolving the Union School Corporation, which was included without the knowledge of the Union School Superintendent. 

• Amendment 16: Delays property tax revenue sharing with charter schools until 2035. 

• Amendment 19: Establishes a state-funded homestead property tax freeze for veterans with a moderate to severe service-related disability. 

• Amendment 20: Creates the home ownership expenses homestead credit, giving $300 to each homeowner to offset the rising cost of utilities and home insurance. The money would be sourced from the General Fund. 

• Amendment 22:  Caps increases in the property tax bills of qualifying seniors at 1%. 

• Amendment 24: Provides additional relief to renters by increasing the renter's deduction from $3,000 to $5,000. 

• Amendment 26: Deletes the provision prohibiting the South Shore Line from issuing new debt.

DeLaney: Republicans are dodging the real issue

Today, April 9, the House discussed a series of amendments on the latest Republican property tax plan. According to a statement from Gov. Mike Braun minutes before the bill was called to the floor, the version we have now is the compromise between House Republicans, Senate Republicans and the governor. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after offering several amendments on the floor: 

“The latest version of Senate Bill 1 puts pressure on local income taxes to fund this $300 temporary stopgap in an ongoing increase in property taxes. If people look at both the local property tax and their local income tax, at the end of the day this may be a wash. It is hard to know if anyone will really benefit from this maneuver. 

“This bill will restrict local governments, particularly in growing areas, in their ability to do what communities expect. Schools in growing areas and fire departments that can’t get enough equipment to suit the needs of the area will face significant hardship. 

“Because of the way this has been handled, the public’s understanding of what we are doing has been undercut. The constantly shifting sands have muddied the waters. 

“Today’s rabbit from the hat picks winners and losers. While playing this game, we refused to act about real needs, such as those of first-time homebuyers as well as renters. 

“Instead of giving parts of industry massive breaks, we should be looking to support young Hoosiers as they strive to achieve homeownership. Supporting young Hoosiers will not only boost our economy and grow our workforce but increase the property tax base itself.”

GiaQuinta statement on Thompson Amendment 36 to Senate Bill 1

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement on State Rep. Jeff Thompson's Amendment 36 to Senate Bill 1, which was adopted by the House of Representatives on second reading today:

"Let's be real: Senate Bill 1 is a tax hike in disguise. Paying up to 4.1% in income taxes to your city and county on top of state and federal taxes is much more than the $300 max in 'credit' you could receive off your property tax bill in 2026. Businesses still get a break, but working Hoosiers get crumbs. This is a bad deal for working Hoosier families, which is why House Democrats voted no on this plan."

Pryor co-sponsored bill to reform eviction filing passes the House

Yesterday, April 8, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 142 which reforms state policy for filing evictions and sealing eviction records. This bill requires courts to order an expungement in cases that qualify and allows that action to be taken without a full hearing. In many cases, prior evictions stay on someone’s record and can be used by landlords to deny housing applications, even if the case has been resolved. Without this bill, the eviction expungement process can require large amounts of time and resources. 

State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis), co-sponsor of SB 142, issued the following statement: 

“Housing has become an increasing challenge for far too many Hoosiers. Eviction rates have skyrocketed, with some courts dealing with hundreds of eviction cases every day. Even for those who settle all debts, these evictions stay on your record and act as a barrier to securing housing in the future. 

“Requiring courts to seal eviction records in cases that have been resolved without the process of a full hearing will eliminate large amounts of time and resources for both the state and Hoosiers in this situation. Not only will this save the state money and help relieve chronically backlogged courts, but it will have significant impacts on the lives of struggling Hoosiers. I have heard stories from my constituents of apartment buildings giving families only a few hours to move out because of a facility issue in the dead of winter. If someone is waiting for their case to move through backlogged courts, having this mark on their record could be the difference between a new place to live and being on the streets. 

“There is no need to continuously penalize those who have satisfied their debt. This bill will free those who have settled their debts from having a scarlet letter on their housing applications. 

“Having a roof over your head is an essential human need. Access to reliable, safe and affordable shelter is something the state should strive to help all Hoosiers reach. I am so proud to have been a co-sponsor on this bill to remove this critical barrier to housing.” 

House Republicans pass bill to cut access to Medicaid, Bauer fights for vulnerable Hoosiers

Today, April 8, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2, the Republican plan for Medicaid, by a vote of 66-28. The bill aims to slash participation in the Medicaid Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) program by increasing eligibility checks, establishing work requirements and limiting marketing for its services.

State Rep. Maureen Bauer (D-South Bend) released the following statement on the bill’s passage:

“I’m grateful that my amendment language to exempt full-time students from the proposed work and volunteer requirements was accepted in the Committee on Ways and Means. However, I remain deeply concerned about the sweeping authority this bill gives the Secretary of the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to restrict advertising for HIP. When paired with political theater - like wearing a MAGA-style hat before a Senate committee - it starts to look less like a public health strategy and more like an attempt to advertise D.C.-style politics here in Indiana. Hoosiers deserve genuine support, not out-of-state playbooks.

“Advocates, including representatives from The Arc of Indiana and the Logan Center, voiced serious concerns and called for additional protections for individuals with disabilities - concerns that went unaddressed by the majority.

“This legislation poses significant risks that we must not overlook. There’s a persistent misconception that Medicaid enrollees are committing fraud. In reality, they are often the victims, not the perpetrators. Less than 0.1% of the money recovered from Medicaid fraud is attributed to Medicaid members themselves. Meanwhile, whistleblower lawsuits allege that managed care entities have defrauded the state for ‘tens, likely hundreds' of millions of dollars.

“Rather than address these systemic issues, SB 2 adds to the administrative burden already inflating Medicaid costs—costs that often exceed the actual cost of care. We must reduce inefficiencies, not create new barriers that prevent people from accessing health coverage.

“Instead of feeding into misguided provisions and focusing on real solutions that protect our most vulnerable Hoosiers, we should be building a stronger Medicaid program- not tearing it down.”

Jackson opposes bill to slash participation in Medicaid

Today, April 8, the Indiana House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2, the Republican plan for Medicaid, by a vote of 66 to 28. The bill aims to slash participation in the Medicaid Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) program by increasing eligibility checks, establishing work requirements and limiting marketing for its services.

State Rep. Carolyn Jackson (D-Hammond) released the following statement in opposition of the bill:

“This bill will kick people off their health care for very little tangible savings to the state. The money saved by identifying the small amount of wrongdoing is far smaller than the administrative cost of conducting quarterly eligibility checks. The additional red tape will only lead to bureaucratic waste and increased costs. 

“Senate Bill 2 is pointing the finger at enrollees for Medicaid fraud when they account for less than 0.1% of money recovered from fraud. Enrollees are far more often the victims of administrative fraud, and yet they are the ones being punished. What is with the obsession with villainizing our vulnerable populations instead of holding the real perpetrators of fraud accountable? 

“Medicaid is notoriously confusing and stressful for people just trying to get by and stay healthy. Instead of clearing things up, this proposal creates boundaries to care by requiring people to prove their eligibility four times a year. For those working multiple jobs to make ends meet for their family, adding stacks of paperwork to the to-do list multiple times a year is unrealistic. 

“Under SB 2, individuals who win as little as $3,000 in the lottery would be stripped of their Medicaid coverage. This punishes low-income Hoosiers for winning a one-time sum of money.

“In my district, some doctors are only in the office a few times a week and cancellations are frequent. If your coverage is up in the air and you don’t know if you’ll be able to pay for the appointment, you may have to face further delay. This will only exacerbate wait times and risk people facing deteriorating health conditions. 

“As a state, we should be looking out for Hoosiers. Instead of increasing accessibility for those just trying to survive, SB 2 will cause people to lose coverage when nothing about their conditions or status has changed. This is not only illogical, but also cruel.”

Miller’s bill supporting small tobacco businesses passes the Senate

House Bill 1468, authored by State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), passed through the Senate today and will head to the governor's desk following a concurrence vote in the House. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 41-8. The bill would allow tobacco vendors to obtain a three-year supplemental cigar sales certificate, allowing them to sell cigars at an event on a temporary basis.

“I am thrilled to see my legislation pass through the Senate. HB 1468 will help many small businesses that sell cigars across our state by allowing them to vend at public events. This legislation will ensure that our businesses are engaging with their communities and can promote their trade outside of their shops. 

“Passing this bill is a great step taken by the legislature to foster entrepreneurship in Indiana by promoting our small businesses. As a small business owner myself, I'm proud to fight for legislation that encourages entrepreneurship in our state.”

Harris bill to bring Professional Sports Development Commission to Northwest Indiana passes Senate

House Bill 1292, authored by State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago), passed through the Senate today by a vote of 46-2. The bill establishes the Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Commission, with the goal of attracting professional sports franchises to Northwest Indiana. The bill now heads back to the House for a concurrence vote and will then head to Gov. Braun's desk to be signed into law.

Harris released the following statement upon the bill's passage in the Senate:

"Northwest Indiana has a unique opportunity for economic development. Capitalizing on The Region's proximity to Chicago by bringing professional sports teams here makes sense for all parties involved. This is a chance to bring great investments and jobs to our community, and we know that The Region offers a great base of operation and amazing fans for any sports franchise looking for a home.

"I am very grateful for all the hard work of everyone, in both parties, that had a hand in getting this bill through the legislature. This piece of legislation is evidence that when we reach across the aisle, we can accomplish great things for the people of our state. I am hopeful that the commission will be successful in attracting a professional sports franchise to our area, and we have already heard from several sports organizations interested in the possibility of calling Northwest Indiana 'home.'"

Shackleford amendments to SB 2 voted down by House Republicans, shifting $1 billion Medicaid shortfall onto Hoosiers

Yesterday, April 7, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) presented a series of amendments to Senate Bill (SB) 2, “Medicaid matters,” a Republican-led proposal that would drastically limit participation in Indiana’s Medicaid program. SB 2 seeks to impose stricter eligibility checks, restrict enrollment based on budget constraints and impose work requirements on recipients.

Despite numerous Democratic efforts to improve the bill and mitigate its harmful impacts on Hoosiers, House Republicans voted down all of Shackleford’s amendments.

Amendment #2 aimed to raise the disqualification threshold for lottery winnings from $3,000 to $20,000. Under SB 2, individuals who win as little as $3,000 would lose Medicaid coverage, a policy Shackleford argued disproportionally punishes low-income Hoosiers for a one-time win.

Amendment #3 would have protected current HIP participants by “grandfathering” them into the program, ensuring future caps based solely on appropriations. It also suggested funding coverage for these individuals through a potential increase in the cigarette tax.

Amendment #4 would have removed new state-imposed work requirements from the bill and defaulted to existing federal Medicaid regulations.

Amendment #5 aimed to prevent unnecessary loss of coverage. This amendment sought to maintain the current annual redetermination process for Medicaid eligibility rather than moving to costly and burdensome monthly and quarterly checks. The proposed redetermination system in SB 2 increases administrative expenses while risking the removal of eligible Hoosiers from the system.

Amendment #6 aimed to clarify definitions of paid advertising and marketing to include communications funded by public or private dollars that are intended to solicit, promote, or encourage Medicaid enrollment. It explicitly exempted nonprofits, advocacy groups, and health care providers offering general information, education and outreach.

Shackleford released the following statement on her voted down amendments to SB 2:

“As much as the majority wants to say this bill cuts the red tape - it adds more of it, and Hoosiers will pay the price. We are sitting on a surplus, yet we’re choosing to kick people off Medicaid instead of addressing the real drivers of the shortfall, managed care entities and systemic fraud at the institutional level.

“Because of a few bad apples, this legislature is treating every Medicaid recipient like they’re abusing the system. That’s simply not true. Most are working, doing their best and just trying to survive. 

“This bill doesn’t save money - it shifts the blame and the burden onto vulnerable Hoosiers while letting those actually responsible off the hook. We should be making it easier for people to get care, not punishing them with red tape and false narratives.”

Pack passes amendment to protect Hoosier veterans from eviction

Monday, April 7, State Rep. Renee Pack (D-Indianapolis) successfully amended Senate Bill 433 to protect Hoosier veterans from eviction by requiring courts to stay an eviction proceeding of a veteran who demonstrates that they have applied for housing assistance with the U.S. or Indiana Departments of Veterans Affairs. This comes after a devastating fire at an Indianapolis veteran shelter that displaced over 45 veterans. 

“I am so proud to have passed this critical protection for Hoosier veterans. After my own six years of active-duty military service, I found myself in a very difficult position like so many others. If this measure saves just one veteran from hardship, I will be satisfied. 

“Those who dedicated their careers and put their lives on the line for our state and our nation deserve the utmost support from the government. That includes making sure they have their most basic needs accounted for, like access to safe and reliable shelter. 

“This measure will save veterans who have been through so much for their country from the stress of eviction and facing homelessness. I want to thank my colleagues across the aisle for working with me to expand state support for our Hoosier heroes.

“Right now, instead of being treated like heroes, both federal and state governments are cutting programs that serve veterans. Earlier this month, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) announced that it is ending the program that provided families with emergency rental assistance to prevent evictions during the pandemic six months early. Instead of using all of the money allocated to help Hoosiers, we shut off the program and are giving the money back to the federal government. At a time when so many are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, the least we can do is make sure our Hoosier veterans are supported.” 

House Majority blocks Porter’s amendment to fulfill state’s promies to higher ed students

Today, April 7, the House majority blocked a vote on an amendment on Senate Bill 5 offered by Ranking Ways and Means Democrat, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis). The amendment would have allocated an additional $100 million to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education (CHE), allowing them to continue providing the promised amount of award money to college students. Last November, the CHE announced its plan to reduce the grant money students receive for the 2025–26 academic year and onward. This decision came after changes to the federal financial aid formula resulted in more Hoosier students qualifying for state financial aid. 

Porter released the following statement on his amendment:

“Since this change was announced in November, House Democrats have repeatedly requested that the Frank O’Bannon and the Freedom of Choice awards be adequately funded. I advocated for it in the State Budget Committee hearing on the CHE budget, and again earlier this session in our House budget, to no avail. Republicans in both chambers have made it abundantly clear that they have no interest in fulfilling their promises to our college students. 

“This shortfall in student assistance is expected to impact more than 30,000 students across the state, placing many low-income students in further financial turmoil. Around 6,000 Ivy Tech students, many of whom are pursuing technical or associate degrees that the majority have pushed, will be affected. Students in both public and private schools are expected to lose, at minimum, up to $500 each year in assistance.

“The House majority blocked my amendment, which would have provided an additional $100 million in residuals from INvestEd to the CHE to support our students. This one-time, contractual transfer would guarantee that students already in school continue to receive the funding they were promised. In the past, INvestEd has been required to use its residuals to fund government projects. There is no better time than now to shift these unneeded dollars to help our students in need of assistance. 

“We’ve seen college enrollment drop to 53% in the last five years. Cutting student awards will only further the low college attendance rate in Indiana. We must act now to ensure students can pursue higher education and receive the money they were promised.”

Campbell: ‘SB 1 puts our police, fire and public schools at risk’

Today, April 7, House Republicans passed their 368-page amendment to Senate Bill 1. The amendment encourages local governments to raise their local income tax rate, potentially balancing out any property tax relief homeowners may receive. Local governments' budgets will be affected, but the majority has yet to share just how much–even though House Ways and Means Committee members, including State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), were asked to vote on the proposal today. 

Campbell released the following statement:  

“The latest version of SB 1 is a total mess. Our homeowners won't get the substantial property tax relief they need, and the amount they’ll receive varies. Some homeowners will get a $200 credit, while others may get $50 or $10. We’re putting our local governments' feet to the fire, funding relief from the local level. The state could provide every homeowner with real relief without harming local governments. This version will harm our local police, our local firefighters and our local schools. 

“I’ve heard from police and firefighters in West Lafayette. They’ve been outspoken about the likelihood of having to let go of staff and reduce their services. West Lafayette is a growing community, and our community wouldn’t have the money we need to expand our fire or police departments. People want to live in communities with ample services that are safe and upkept.

“Nobody likes paying taxes, but we pay them to provide for and better our communities. SB 1 would drastically defund our children in public schools, our local libraries, our parks and our public safety services. We can find the balance between government efficiency, relief for homeowners and fully funded local governments.”