DeLaney reacts to the Braun budget: ‘It focuses on the wrong things’

Today (Jan. 16), Governor Mike Braun presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“While there are parts of this budget that I am pleased with, it focuses on the wrong things. This budget chooses to favor people who will benefit very little from tax cuts while leaving our younger generation out in the cold.  

“The true worthwhile investment is in helping young families buy a home and find someone to look after their kids while they make an income and participate in the economy. These proposed tax cuts help those who have already saved at the expense of those trying to save. 

“One thing that particularly disturbed me is the proposed cut in funding for our new public health programs. Investing in public health and preventative care is not only beneficial for individual quality of life but relieves pressure on the budget going forward. 

“Between 2018 and now, the state contribution to Medicaid has gone from $2 billion to $5 billion. If we want to rein in the amount we spend on Medicaid, the solution is not to kick people off of it but help them to grow off of it. Our Medicaid system is so strained because we have a very low median income. 

“The bottom line is that we don't bother to look at the full chessboard because we are distracted by the most current problem. We must focus more on getting poorer families higher incomes, and less on better-off families having tax savings. This budget does not do that."