Special session will cost taxpayers $250,000 meanwhile thousands of Hoosiers will lose SNAP benefits over the weekend
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – This week, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) and Former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly met with residents for a community town hall to discuss Gov. Mike Braun’s recent call for a special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps – a move that still requires approval from the General Assembly before it can move forward.
Moderated by Dr. Robert Dion, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Evansville, the event drew dozens of Hoosiers who voiced their frustration with the proposal and with the cost of living in Indiana, sharing concerns about what the new maps could mean for their representation. Many questioned why state leaders are prioritizing political maps instead of addressing the economic realities families face every day.
“Nobody in that room asked for new maps,” Burton said. “They asked for their needs to be prioritized at the Statehouse. Instead of focusing on how to help working families, the Statehouse is spending time and taxpayer money on redrawing lines no one asked for – at a cost of $250,000 Hoosier taxpayer dollars. To add to this, over the weekend, we are about to see thousands of Hoosiers lose access to their SNAP benefits. Children will go hungry, and Indiana has chosen to look the other way. That’s not leadership – that’s distraction.”
Former Sen. Joe Donnelly, who represented Hoosiers in Congress for nearly a decade, echoed Burton’s message about misplaced priorities and the importance of accountability.
“This isn’t about party lines – it’s about doing right by the people of Indiana,” Donnelly said. “Our government works for you, not the other way around. The legislature works with the executive branch, not for it. And both exist to represent the people who sent them there. When families are struggling to pay for groceries and heat their homes, the last thing they want to see is politicians fighting over maps. What we heard the other night was clear: Hoosiers want focus, fairness and common sense.”
Burton closed the evening by encouraging residents to stay engaged as the proposal heads to the legislature.
“The governor can call a special session, but it still falls into the hands of the legislature, and that means your voice matters,” Burton said. “The Senate is already hearing from you, and it’s working.”
“Continue to call your elected officials and voice your concerns. Tell them you want affordable living, and to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on political games. I’ll keep fighting for you and provide updates as soon as I hear anything from the Statehouse.”
