A Vision for Indiana

Indiana’s proud tradition of military service is a big part of our state identity. We must ensure we are supporting those who have risked their lives in defense of our freedom, and we must take steps to empower the professionals in Hamilton County who care for them.

• We must give Veteran Services Officers (VSOs) the tools and resources necessary to address the needs of our veterans.

• We should expand innovative approaches, like Veterans Courts, that acknowledge the unique mental and physical health circumstances our veterans face.

• We should acknowledge and honor professional and occupational licenses for all veterans looking to relocate to Indiana.

More than ever before, Hoosier parents are demanding greater transparency, accountability, and options from their children’s schools. This is an important development, because parents, schools and teachers, and community are all critical partners if we are going to ensure our kids are effectively learning. By expanding educational options, strengthening public schools, and making sure teachers have every resource they need to succeed, we can drive the literacy rates and educational outcomes for our children higher.

• Nothing is more important than getting our students off to a strong start. We must focus on early learning and literacy rates so every child has the educational foundation necessary to succeed long-term.

• Effective teachers must have the support they need to help our children thrive and learn. By driving more resources into the classroom, libraries, and labs instead of administration offices, we can ensure our teachers can focus on preparing our students for college and careers.

• Education can’t be a one-size-fits-all system. Parents must be empowered with the choice to find the right educational options for their children, and we should continue to invest in the innovations that will once again make Indiana a national leader in K-12 education.

Safe neighborhoods are the hallmark of a healthy community, and Hamilton County has long been a leader when it comes to keeping families safe. That’s a big part of what has made our county perfect for raising a family, but our law enforcement and public safety officers are finding it harder and harder to protect us. Rising violent crime and rampant drugs are no longer just big city issues. We must support our police and fire officers and first responders as they risk their lives to keep our communities safe.

• We must continue to give cities and counties the resources they need to recruit, train, and retain the very best public safety officers.

• Across Indiana, we must continue to invest in police and fire training to ensure we have the best prepared and most professional public safety professionals possible.

• We should enhance penalties against those who threaten or attack police officers, protecting the health and well-being of those risking their lives for our safety.

Sound policy and smart investments have helped Hamilton County become a national model for high quality of life. We have excelled in attracting high-demand jobs and the very best talent, driving nearly all of the population growth Indiana has experienced over the last decade. Policies that focus on keeping our communities welcoming and vibrant, preserve our low-tax environment, and invest in our future will ensure we maintain our competitive advantage – not just here in Indiana, but across the nation.

• Great roads and infrastructure are critical to quality of life. State policy should drive more resources to our locals and give them the flexibility they need to invest those dollars into meeting their current and future infrastructure needs.

• Economic development strategies should align to our vision for the future of our communities. We can continue to attract the jobs of today and tomorrow if the city, county, and state work together and communicate on our efforts.

• Effective state government operates lean and efficient so that we are not unnecessarily burdening taxpayers in cities and counties. We must keep tax rates low if we are to remain competitive for talent and jobs.

Mental health and drug abuse issues have become some of the most challenging public health problems facing Hoosiers, particularly our children. While not a new issue, more and more we see the effects of this epidemic playing out in our schools, in our neighborhoods, and in our homes. Parents, teachers, and public safety officers are on the front lines and must have the tools and information necessary to grapple with this immense challenge.

• Important steps were taken during the 2022 Legislative Session to begin modernizing Indiana’s mental and behavioral health system, and more remains to be done. This includes continuing to drive resources to community mental health centers and mobile crisis units throughout the state.

• County drug courts, specialized problem-solving courts focused on diverting non-violent low-level drug offenders out of the criminal justice system and into treatment, have proven effective and should be expanded and enhanced.

• School counselors are grappling with the complicated needs of their students, even while school administrators are too often asking them to carry out other duties. Schools have the resources they need to support both counseling and career navigation for students, and we must ensure school districts actually drive these resources to counselors and away from administrative offices.