State Rep. Porter comments on $123,500 Super Bowl commercial

INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) today issued the following statement on the Holcomb administration's choice to spend $123,500 from the federal pandemic relief fund on COVID-19 Super Bowl messaging:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be an unprecedented public health emergency taking the lives of 10,091 Hoosiers, and destroying the livelihoods of countless others,” Porter said. “Which is why the messaging of the Loggan family and their tremendous loss will resonate with so many Hoosiers. The Governor and his team will be reaching a large audience of football fans with a critical communications piece about the importance of masks and vaccinations.

“However, 11 months into the pandemic, there is no person who has not been affected by COVID-19 in some way. Hoosiers have sent their kids to bed hungry. Hoosiers have lost their small businesses. Hoosiers have been evicted. Hoosiers have lost their hope in the American Dream. Unfortunately, these stories have yet to motivate the Governor to put actionable CARES Act dollars in their pockets.

“We must now use federal relief dollars to take bold action to meet the scale and scope of this crisis.”

Porter has offered several proposals for CARES Act spending to provide real relief to Hoosiers:

Porter fears inaction will send $930 million of virus relief meant for the Hoosier State back to Washington, DC

Porter: Holcomb has a responsibility to invest state dollars into Indiana’s human infrastructure during COVID-19 pandemic

Porter urges governor to give $30 million in excess TMSA fund to local health departments on the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic

Porter urges governor to drive more resources to African American communities in Indiana as they are experiencing higher rates of death from COVID-19

Porter pushes for Indiana State Budget Committee’s right to review COVID-19-related funding actions

Porter pushes for increased transparency and oversight of nearly $1.9 billion in unallocated CARES Act funds

Porter expresses concern for vital needs left unfunded in Governor’s current plan for CARES Act

Porter introduces innovative proposal to provide relief for student loan borrowers amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Porter urges Holcomb to provide $100 state unemployment match

Porter sends follow-up letter urging governor to get CARES Act dollars to Hoosiers before deadline

Porter urges consideration of Indiana schools before CARES Act money is returned on Dec. 30 deadline