Porter Criticizes State Budget for Failing Hoosier Families on Child Care, Pre-K

Written from press release:

INDIANAPOLIS — State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) on Tuesday criticized Indiana’s biennial budget for what he called “missed opportunities” to support working families, following a State Budget Committee meeting and new limits on the state’s pre-K enrollment program.

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) recently announced that enrollment for the On My Way Pre-K program will be capped at 2,500 slots due to budget constraints. Reimbursements for participating providers will also be limited to $147.82 per week.

“Obviously, money was tight this budget, but I warned my colleagues about the impact of their misguided priorities,” Porter said in a statement. “Gov. [Mike] Braun initially proposed an appropriation of $101.3 million for On My Way Pre-K, which didn’t happen. He proposed an appropriation of $2 million for local child care assistance, which didn’t happen. He proposed $392 million for Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers to eliminate the waitlist, which didn’t happen either.”

Porter said the state’s Republican majority instead prioritized tax cuts and private school voucher expansions.

“They moved forward with their $1.2 billion voucher expansion for Indiana’s wealthiest families,” Porter said. “Republicans gave additional tax cuts for data centers and continued individual income tax cuts, with average savings of $50 or less. Is this worth taking away pre-K or child care support for our working families?”

He also warned that proposed federal changes to Medicaid and the passage of Senate Enrolled Act 2 could result in even more Hoosiers losing health care and child care assistance.

“Indiana is the second-best state to start a business, but it won’t be for long if parents need to stay home to care for their kids because they can’t afford child care or pre-K,” Porter said. “Our governor is a successful businessman, so I’m certain he’s aware of the support parents need outside of the workplace. Sadly, Braun didn’t keep his promises and was bulldozed by other Republicans.”

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