Porter criticizes reversions in education, training and workforce development in GOP’s ‘Work More for Less’ economy

INDIANAPOLIS - State Representative Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), today criticized crucial budget reversions in education, training and workforce development in the Indiana GOP’s “work more for less” economy. The Ranking Democrat of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee and State Budget Committee member believes the reverted funds would have been better spent uplifting Hoosier workers and students and the institutions that educate them. 

The backbone of Indiana’s economy has faced immense economic challenges amid a global pandemic, and surging COVID-19 cases leave the workforce, students and their supporting institutions more vulnerable.

On July 14, state officials released Indiana’s 2021 Fiscal Closeout Report showing a $1.818 billion annual surplus and combined reserves totaling almost $3.922 billion. The Indiana GOP’s decision to end federal unemployment benefits, and revert critical support dollars to an already bloated state surplus leaves Porter questioning the priorities of his colleagues across the aisle. 

“Despite Indiana Republicans touting job training and economic development, their budget decisions unfortunately paint a different picture,” Porter said. “After creating a ‘work more for less’ economy that forces people into low-earning jobs, the GOP has created limited opportunities for Hoosiers to receive support, skill up or receive a quality education. 

“Indiana’s workforce struggled to return due to lack of child and parent resources. Our state could have provided a $6 million investment in childcare and gotten hard-working folks back to work, but instead reverted the money to the state surplus. 

“Indiana’s children continue to struggle as they lack access to comprehensive and affordable pre-K programming. Our state could have made a meaningful $7 million investment in these programs, provided childcare and started to solve one of the state’s leading education problems. Instead, money was reverted to the state surplus.  

“Members of Indiana’s workforce who wanted to further their education and refine skillsets in the midst of a low wage job economy saw a $2.7 million cut to Indiana Economic Development Corporation's (IEDC) Skill Enhancement Fund (SEF) when the money was reverted to the state surplus.

“Indiana’s higher education institutions lost a combined total of $90 million to the state surplus and received no increases in the 2021 State Budget.” 

Porter last week called out similar reversions in health related items.