Porter comments on Braun eliminating funding for Indiana’s only predominantly Black university

On Thursday, Jan. 16, Gov. Mike Braun presented his “Freedom and Opportunity” budget proposal to the State Budget Committee (SBC). The budget includes zero funding for Martin University, Indiana’s only predominantly Black institution of higher education, and the College Success Program. In the 2023 budget, Martin University and the CSP each received an allocation of $5 million.

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“The active intervention to end or attack anything in the budget that gives state dollars to people of color is sickening. I won’t mince my words: It’s racist. Black Hoosiers and other minorities pay taxes, so we deserve to benefit from the state budget as much as our white counterparts.

“Martin University is Indiana’s only predominately Black institution. The only reason why it’s not an official HBCU is because it’s relatively young. Now they will receive zero state dollars, which is a complete cut from 2023. He also cut the College Success Program, which encourages minority and first-generation, low-income students to attend college. That means a total of $10 million in support for minority students has been eliminated. 

“This is wrong on so many levels. The last administration realized that this funding would give students of color an equal chance at success. It was less than a century ago when Black students couldn’t live in dorms, had to eat on separate sides of the dining room and couldn’t swim in the university pool. It also benefitted Indiana’s workforce since Martin University directed the money towards STEM education.

“Sadly, this decision will continue to kill the hopes, dreams and aspirations of many students. No matter how hard they work, they’ll have the rug pulled out from under them. Even Trump paid lip service to HBCUs in his first term, which makes zeroing out these funds even more disturbing. Just like his other budget decisions, Braun continues to push his hostile, hateful agenda no matter who it harms.”