Indiana House Democrats announce 2024 agenda, Boy supports push for economic freedom
On Monday, Jan. 8, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus unveiled its 2024 Economic Freedom Agenda. Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) is throwing her support behind the agenda, which seeks to deliver on substantial economic relief for Hoosiers with increased economic opportunities and security and labor protections.
“I am proud to support the Indiana House Democratic Caucus Economic Freedom Agenda,” Boy said. “There are a lot of individuals and families in our state who are struggling due to high costs and low pay. Housing is expensive, utility costs are on the rise and inflation has caused prices to skyrocket. A livable minimum wage would go a long way to alleviate these issues, and safe, affordable, and available childcare would enable families to get 'above water.' If a second parent wanted to work, they could earn enough to afford the childcare in the first place - or a single parent could avoid 'drowning.'”
Highlights from the Economic Freedom Agenda include:
- Building power for the working people;
- Raise minimum wage to $15/hour
- Reform last year’s HEA 1002 into a bill that sets up young people with good-paying jobs
- Protect Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
- Make union dues tax-deductible
- Crack down on worker misclassification (Misclassification allows employers to pay full-time employees as casual labor or to pay them in cash. The workers still get a 1099 on which they must pay taxes, but the employer doesn't pay their part of the taxes. It also cuts into the unemployment benefits available for workers, and lowers the employer's unemployment insurance costs).
Cutting homeowners and renters a better deal;
- $250 property tax credit for all homeowners
- Over 65 deduction for seniors
- Increase renter’s deduction
- Stop utilities from making customers bear the cost of doing business and keep utility bills for Hoosiers down
- Fair housing protections (fair appraisals and mortgages and cracking down on predatory investors hurting neighborhoods)
Setting up Hoosier families for success through childcare and early learning; and
- Child and dependent care income tax credit
- Establish a statewide pre-K program
- Increase before and after-school care funding
Making good on promises to retirees and keeping Hoosiers insured.
- Guarantee a 13th check and cost-of-living adjustment for PRF and TRF retirees
- Protect Medicaid and increase reimbursement rates for healthcare professionals
“Our agenda will give Hoosiers a little bit of breathing room,” Boy said. “From education to housing, the legislature can do a better job of providing people with financial stability. I’m excited for the 2024 legislative session and the economic relief our agenda hopes to bring Hoosiers.”