Indiana House Democrats announce 2024 agenda, Errington supports push for economic freedom

INDIANAPOLIS - On Monday, Jan. 8, the Indiana House Democratic Caucus unveiled its 2024 Economic Freedom Agenda. Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) is throwing her support behind the agenda, which seeks to deliver substantial economic relief for Hoosiers with increased economic opportunities and security and labor protections. 

“The Economic Freedom Agenda is going to help many Hoosiers who are struggling to make ends meet.”  Errington said. “As the costs of living continue to rise, lawmakers have failed to meet the needs of Hoosier workers and families. Our legislature must act accordingly and support initiatives to lighten the load for those living in our state.”
 

Highlights from the Economic Freedom Agenda include:

1. Building power for the working people; 
   1. Raise minimum wage to $15/hour
   2. Reform last year’s HEA 1002 into a bill that sets up young people with good-paying jobs
   3. Protect Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) 
   4. Make union dues tax-deductible
   5. Crack down on employees misclassifying themselves as individual contractors instead of companies (Prevent workers from being over-taxed by banning employers from making employees classify themselves as individual companies, instead of employees)

2. Cutting homeowners and renters a better deal; 
   

   1. $250 property tax credit for all homeowners 
   2. Over 65 deduction for seniors 
   3. Increase renter’s deduction
   4. Keep down utility bills for Hoosiers
   5. Fair housing protections (fair appraisals and mortgages and cracking down on predatory investors hurting neighborhoods)

3. Setting up Hoosier families for success through childcare and early learning; and
   

   1. Child and dependent care income tax credit 
   2. Establish a statewide pre-K program 
   3. Increase before and after school care funding  

4. Making good on promises to retirees and keeping Hoosiers insured. 
   

   1. Guarantee a 13th check and cost-of-living adjustment for PRF and TRF retirees 
   2. Protect Medicaid and increase reimbursement rates for healthcare professionals

“Our agenda will offer much needed relief for Hoosiers across the state. I am proud to support the initiatives set forth on this agenda and fully endorse the need for economic freedom in our state.”