A practical first step is stopping utilities from charging customers for lobbying, political advertising, and PR campaigns. Shifting those costs and returning the savings to customers would provide immediate relief and increase transparency.
Capping fixed monthly charges would also protect seniors, low‑income households, and anyone who uses less energy but still pays high base fees.
Indiana should also require utilities to clearly justify any rate increase with public, detailed evidence. Transparent breakdowns of spending and open hearings would ensure Hoosiers aren’t asked to pay more without real proof of need.
We must invest early and fairly by strengthening early childhood programs and supporting students with the most significant needs. After twenty years in intensive social work, I know that when we invest in children, they grow. As students get older, our commitment stays the same: every Hoosier student deserves real opportunities, whether they plan to enroll in college, enlist in the armed services, or earn through meaningful work. Every path deserves equal support and high‑quality education.
The last state budget cut public education while giving major tax breaks to the largest corporations. To fix these shortfalls, I would end tax incentives for companies with more than 50 employees that are headquartered outside Indiana. Redirecting that revenue back into our state would help restore school funding to levels that actually support students.
I would also review all tax abatements, TIFs, and other incentives that let corporate earnings bypass the communities that make their success possible. These tools should only reward industries that create real growth, and the state must have strong claw‑backs when companies fail to deliver the high‑wage jobs or investment they promised.
After twenty years in social work, I’ve seen up close how hard it is for people to climb out of poverty when our systems work against them. We need to ensure needs based programs actually help people build stability. That starts with updating asset limits so families can save for the things that move them forward: reliable car or a place to live closer to work without losing the support they rely on.
We also must invest in workforce development programs that teach real‑world skills. When people have the tools to get and keep good jobs, they have opportunity at long‑term economic independence. Our goal should be simple: build systems that help people move out of poverty.
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