State Representative, District 12 Choose 1
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Indiana General Assembly. Alongside the Indiana State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Indiana state government and works alongside the governor of Indiana to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Indiana House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or orverride gubernatorial vetoes.
Biographical Information
Twitter Handle
@MikeAndradeIN
Instagram Handle
MikeAndradeIN
Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/MikeAndradeIN
Campaign Website
http://mikeandrade.com
Campaign Email
citizensformikeandrade@gmail.com
Please describe what you see as the top policy challenge in Indiana and how you plan to respond to it, if elected.
I believe that one of the top policy challenges in Indiana is education reform. We must provide our teachers with competitive wages to retain high-quality educators and attract new ones to the profession. I introduced legislation to secure a pay increase for our teachers in my first year in office and will continue to advocate for giving them the raises they deserve and for more funding for STEM and vocational training
How would you rate elementary education in your priorities?
Very unimportant
Somewhat unimportant
Neither important nor unimportant
Somewhat important
Very important
If elected, what would you do to promote equality in education in our elementary schools?
Our public schools in Indiana, like in many parts of the country, are not designed to promote equality in education. After 2008, the state assumed complete responsibility for funding K-12 education through state income and sales taxes. We must allow local municipalities more control over how they can fund their schools, beyond just referendums, and increase state spending on elementary school education.
If elected, how will you work to achieve environmental justice, ensuring communities receive equitable access to clean air, water, and response to climate disasters?
This past year, I voted against Indiana House Bill 1383, which would reduce the number of highly protected wetlands. This will lead to further environmental degradation in our state. I will continue to vote against bad legislation that targets our environmental protections, and we must hold companies accountable when they pollute in our state.
AI (artificial intelligence) technology is the latest threat to our election process. If elected, what would you do to maintain the security and integrity of our election process?
Artificial intelligence will continue to be a threat to our country in the 21st century. It is up to our federal lawmakers to enact laws and federal agencies to ensure the integrity of our elections from foreign threats. Locally, I was the first lawmaker in the state to host a cybersecurity town hall in my district with the Indiana Office of Technology to educate local leaders about cybersecurity threats in our state.
Lake County ranks lower than the state in mental health wellness, both for adults and youth. If elected, what steps would you take to improve the mental health of our residents?
I have always been an advocate for improving mental health care in our state. Last session, I was a cosponsor of Senate Bill 1, which would allow Medicaid recipients to pay for community behavioral health clinic services through reimbursements. The bill also established the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission as well as a confidential hotline for people who are in distress or seeking mental health services.
What else would you like to share with us?
For the past four years, I have served the residents of House District 12, focusing on supporting our teachers, unions, first responders, and small business owners, while strongly advocating for public safety. I am committed to continuing my service to our community and would be honored to receive your vote.