Indiana’s State Budget Isn’t Just Bad Policy—It’s Washington-Style Power Politics
A few moments ago, Indiana’s Republican supermajority passed House Bill 1001, the state’s biennial budget. At a glance, it claims to be fiscally responsible, but scratch beneath the surface, and what you’ll find is a blueprint imported straight from the worst of Washington, D.C.—a political agenda that prioritizes control over competence, ideology over impact, and headlines over Hoosiers.
This budget isn’t about what’s best for Indiana. It’s about scoring political points and concentrating power. And I voted no.
A Power Grab Masquerading as Governance
One of the most alarming provisions strips Indiana University alumni of their right to elect board members—handing full control of the board of trustees to the Governor. It’s a quiet but deliberate move to consolidate political power over our institutions of higher learning. Worse yet, it was never debated. Testimony was never heard. And now it’s law.
This isn’t fiscal reform. It’s political retribution. It’s the same kind of cynical governance we’ve seen from national figures who believe loyalty matters more than leadership. And it’s a clear example of suppression of speech and infringement on academic freedom happening right here in Indiana.
At the same time, the budget cuts 5% from higher education operations and campus renewal. Our public colleges and universities are the engine of our future workforce, but this budget treats them as a political liability.
Public Health Slashed, Despite New Revenue
Even after increasing the cigarette tax by $2 per pack—an important public health move—the budget slashes Indiana’s public health funding from $100 million to just $40 million annually. In other words: Hoosiers will pay more, but get less.
Public Broadcasting Cut Entirely
State support for public broadcasting is eliminated entirely, not because of fiscal necessity, but because of politics. This isn’t about savings. It’s about silencing voices. Rural communities across Indiana depend on public media for everything from early childhood education to emergency communications, but this budget treats public broadcasting the way some in Washington treat NPR and PBS: as enemies to defund.
Work Requirements for Medicaid: Punishing the Poor to Please the Base
Buried in the budget are new work requirements for Medicaid recipients. These policies are costly to administer and ineffective at reducing poverty—but they make for a good soundbite on cable news. That’s what this budget is about. Not helping Hoosiers, but keeping up with the culture war cycle on national television.
This Budget Is a Mirror of the Moment—And That Should Scare Us
This budget doesn’t match the values of our people. Our state has long prided itself on pragmatic governance—on being steady, moderate, and focused on results. But this budget is none of those things. It’s ideological. It’s divisive. And it’s clearly influenced by the hard-right politics dominating Washington.
This is what happens when supermajority rule goes unchecked: politics becomes performance, and the people lose. Indiana deserves better.
I voted no because Hoosiers deserve a government that works for them, and this budget doesn’t come close to doing that.
Appreciate your strong voice, Representative Johnson
Public Health, Public Broadcasting, Medicaid--all of a piece to beat down on those who either can't fight back, or those who provide for us the public goods that make our communities vibrant. It is a shame Blake--and your analysis of the entire series of actions is so very valuable. At the end of the day, when we know it is a "power grab" it might be of value for folks to pause and ask themselves the question: "power for what?" Public goods are called 'goods" for a reason. They provide goods that many desire but we cannot provide for ourselves alone. We share. We live in communities to share both the burdens and joys of life. Indiana conservative leaders, as elsewhere, are out to kill the joy.