Indiana’s legislative session ended in the early hours Friday, after which many lawmakers issued statements on the perceived wins and losses, particularly in regards to the state’s two-year budget.
Gov. Mike Braun: “As the 2025 legislative session concludes, I want to thank our partners in the legislature for their dedication and collaboration in advancing key priorities of my Freedom and Opportunity Agenda.
“We’ve accomplished a great deal this session. Despite the challenges posed by economic uncertainty, we embraced an entrepreneurial spirit, tightened the belts of state government, and passed a responsible biennial budget that will keep Indiana among the top states in the nation to raise a family and start a business.
“We took significant steps to make healthcare more affordable and transparent, empowered parents to take the lead in their children’s education through universal school choice, and delivered meaningful property tax relief for Hoosier homeowners, farmers, and small businesses.
“This was just the first legislative session of my administration, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. I look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to work with our legislature to make Indiana a beacon of freedom and opportunity for years to come.”
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville: “There’s no question passing a balanced state budget this year was a tremendous challenge, but we were able to do so by exercising serious fiscal discipline and making difficult decisions. At the end of the day, this budget will meet the needs of Hoosiers while protecting our taxpayers. In addition to the budget, our caucus is celebrating the passage of $1.3 billion in property tax relief for Hoosier homeowners and other good-government measures that will help our state continue to grow and thrive. I want to thank our partners in the House of Representatives and Gov. Braun for helping make this session a success.”
House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers: “We’re ending the 2025 legislative session with the passage of a balanced state budget that makes government more efficient, supports our key priorities and provides tax relief for Hoosiers. Between property tax relief and income tax cuts, Hoosiers will see approximately $600 million in tax cuts in 2026 and $700 million in 2027. We’ve doubled down on our commitment to fiscal responsibility and are keeping Indiana on track for continued growth and success.”
Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka: “Despite the concerning revenue forecast that was presented earlier this month, I worked with my fellow budget leaders to craft a balanced state budget for the next biennium that reflects Senate Republicans’ commitment to fiscal responsibility.
“This budget ensures K-12 education remains fully funded and receives a 2% increase in both 2026 and 2027. It also works hand-in-hand with legislation I worked on this session to find efficiencies in our state’s Medicaid program to help get that spending under control. In addition, it adds in more transparency measures to ensure Hoosiers know where their taxpayer dollars are being spent.
“Thanks to our fiscally conservative approach in previous years, Indiana is still in a stable position, but we need to tighten our belt and remain cautious with the changes in the economy. I will continue to work toward finding ways to increase efficiency and transparency during the next biennium.”
Senate Minority Leader Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis: “As we leave the 2025 Legislative Session, I am first and foremost overwhelmed with gratitude for every single person who has made their voice heard within our statehouse walls with testimony, protest or other advocacy; I am also grateful for every call, email or letter that was sent.
“The legislative process only works with the active participation of those who are represented.
“I am grateful to every member of my caucus who spent this session, and months leading up to it, listening, delivering results and never forgetting that we work for the people of Indiana first and foremost.
“Unfortunately, this is something that was too often forgotten other places in the Statehouse this year.
“We just finished deliberation on a budget that disregards working-class Hoosiers by cutting relief for special education in our state, creating restrictions on child care assistance, eliminating funding for services for our aging parents and grandparents, and much more.
“Despite these cuts, we still found the funds, while facing a $2.4 billion shortfall, to expand school choice vouchers for our wealthiest families.
“This disregard for the working-class is compounded by the Senate’s priority bill, SB 1, that was promised to deliver meaningful property tax relief for Hoosiers.
“Instead of fulfilling that promise, it instead sets up a framework where our poorest Hoosiers, those with a property value under $150,000, will end up paying more in property taxes while our state’s wealthiest reap the real benefit.
“I stand alongside my colleagues in the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus in unequivocal support for the futures, families and freedoms of every person who calls this state home.
“I will never cease in my advocacy to create an Indiana that my daughters, and the generations that come after them will be proud of.
“We aren’t there yet, but trust that we are already preparing for the 2026 Legislative Session and will work tirelessly to get one step closer.”
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne: “I’m proud to say that House Democrats fought for Hoosiers this session, while Republicans fought for corporate interests. At the beginning of the year, House Democrats promised to fight for working Hoosiers by advocating to lower the cost of living, health care costs and utility costs for Hoosiers. Throughout session, we lived up to those promises by offering legislation to rein in corporate middlemen that drive up health care prices via prior authorization, pause utility rate hikes to put more money in Hoosiers’ pockets and fully fund public schools to relieve pressure on local property taxes. We yet again set out to make pre-K universal and affordable for Hoosier families, and to secure resources for police, fire and EMS by retaining local control and local funding sources.
“Unfortunately, our colleagues across the aisle spent this session prioritizing culture wars over the needs of everyday Hoosiers. Senate Bill 287, which requires school board candidates to state their political affiliation on the ballot, didn’t receive a single vote from House Democrats. This legislation only serves to insert partisan politics into Indiana classrooms, which does nothing to help our students or educators thrive. While House Democrats advocated all session for policies to help folks from all walks of life, House Republicans sought to divide Hoosiers.
“We heard a lot of promises from Indiana Republicans this year to lower property taxes, and they failed to deliver. Senate Enrolled Act 1 offers minimal property tax relief while forcing local governments to ramp up local income taxes to ensure proper funding for emergency services and public schools. As State Rep. Gregory W. Porter, ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, said, this is a tax hike. While Republicans tried to disguise SEA 1 as tax relief, they’re hoping Hoosiers don’t look behind the curtain to find their local schools being forced to do more with less and their EMS services taking longer to get to their loved ones in the event of an emergency. All the while, they’re possibly only saving a few hundred dollars a year in property taxes while experiencing a much-larger income tax hike. Is that worth it? House Democrats didn’t think so, and that’s why we continue to speak out against this fiscal irresponsibility from Indiana Republicans. The majority party wants you to be thankful for being given scraps, and Hoosiers deserve so much more.
“Indiana Republicans spent an awful lot of time this session helping utility companies pass costs on to you, the consumer. State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered two amendments to House Bill 1007 which would have prevented consumers from bearing the cost of failed nuclear power plant projects and prevented utilities from charging customers for small modular reactors not yet in use. House Republicans rejected both amendments. At every turn this session, Indiana Republicans signaled their commitment to protecting corporations over the interests of their constituents.
“It seems to me that Indiana Republicans are constantly testing how many more backroom deals and hyper-partisan scheming Hoosiers are willing to put up with. We in the House Democrat Caucus know folks are tired of being left behind, and we’re going to continue to work to lift Hoosiers up.
“All in all, I’m proud of the work House Democrats accomplished this year. We’ve increased transparency in state government, made our communities safer and lowered health care costs. I just wish that Indiana Republicans had the same dedication to Hoosiers that we do. If that were the case, Hoosiers might be in a better place to thrive, not just survive.”
Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis: “This budget turns its back on Indiana’s most vulnerable people and our public health infrastructure at a time when we need investment the most. It slashes vital services, shifts costs onto local communities, and disproportionately harms low-income and minority Hoosiers. That is not responsible governance. It’s negligence.
“These cuts come as Indiana continues to rank among the worst states for maternal mortality, infant mortality and smoking. Now is the time to strengthen our health systems, not gut them.
“This budget offloads the state’s responsibility onto counties, making individual homeowners and renters pay more for less. It’s a lose-lose for our communities.
“While we’re seeing cuts to public health, other areas, most notably business tax incentives, are seeing increases. That’s not fiscal responsibility. That’s short-sighted budgeting that will cost us more down the line in emergency care and lost productivity.
“This budget is a direct threat to equity. Urban areas like Indianapolis, where health disparities are already too high, will suffer the most. It’s our duty to protect every Hoosier’s right to health care—not undermine it.”
Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso: “The General Assembly officially concluded the 2025 legislative session today, and I am pleased with all that was accomplished this year. In addition to passing all of the Senate Republicans’ top priorities, we also passed the new state budget for the next biennium. Despite receiving a concerning revenue forecast earlier this month, our budget leaders crafted a responsible, balanced state budget to support Hoosiers in 2026 and 2027.
“I also championed several pieces of legislation aimed to improve health care accessibility and affordability, including bills targeting Medicaid costs, the 340B Drug Pricing Program, certificates of public advantage, physician noncompete agreements and prior authorization. These initiatives will help Hoosiers throughout the state receive more efficient health care services at reasonable prices.
“I look forward to spending time this interim in our local community to hear from my constituents directly and working with my fellow lawmakers to continue finding ways to make Indiana a better place for Hoosiers to live, work and play.”
Sen. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend: “Over the past four months, the General Assembly, the Senate Democratic Caucus, and I have been hard at work, focused on passing legislation and a budget that represents the needs of Hoosiers. This 2025 legislative session brought meaningful wins for our community and our state, and I’m proud of the progress we made.
“Though there was still room for improvements in the budget, there were several accomplishments that reflect the voices of our constituents and the priorities we continue to fight for. I supported this budget and look forward to continuing this collaborative momentum as we head into the interim.”
Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage: “An estimated average 2% increase for public schools in Indiana simply doesn’t meet the needs of today’s classrooms, especially when many schools are also losing local income tax revenue. This budget gives with one hand and takes with the other. While funding for curricular materials remains, overall support continues to fall behind the real cost of educating our kids.
“This budget shortchanges public education. Indiana’s students deserve bold investment, not the bare minimum. This budget does not establish a fair and balanced system for our students—it runs the risk of leaving too many kids behind.”
Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend: “This budget sends a clear and troubling statement about our priorities. Budgets are moral documents, and this one reflects the state’s choice for austerity over accessibility, bureaucracy over community care.
“These policy changes don’t just hurt institutions—they hurt people. This budget quietly undermines healthcare access across Indiana. At a time when Indiana ranks among the worst states for maternal mortality and access to mental health care, we should be investing more, not less, in the systems that keep our families healthy.”
Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon: “Like Hoosiers across Indiana, our state must work hard to tighten our belts when money is tight, as is the case right now at the state level. That’s why I was happy to support a responsible and balanced two-year budget that provides funding increases for K-12 education and protects public safety.
“While this session has ended, my work as a legislator continues into the months ahead. I look forward to working with constituents and my colleagues during the interim to make Indiana an even better place for Hoosiers.”
Rep. Alex Burton, D-Evansville: “Hoosiers deserve better than what this legislation proposed. Our focus should be on building the best pre-K through 12 school system, embracing those new to America and improving housing for all Hoosiers. These aspects are crucial in building our strongest future.
“Instead of using our surplus to make smart, forward-looking investments, this budget backs away from bold action. Now more than ever, we should be investing in families, schools and communities—not tightening the belt when so many Hoosiers are struggling to make ends meet.
“We can’t afford short-sighted budgeting when the long-term health of our economy depends on the success of our people. We need a budget that reflects our vision, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. For these reasons, I voted against this bill.”
Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie: “Raising the cigarette tax is a long-overdue move that can discourage smoking and generate essential revenue for our state’s health initiatives. However, it’s disheartening to see that while we take this step forward, we’re simultaneously undermining our public health infrastructure and educational institutions. This budget reduces funding for local public health grants by $120 million over the next two years, leaving only $40 million annually for health departments across the state.
“Ball State University and other public universities are vital to our state’s future, providing education and driving economic growth. Cutting their funding sends the wrong message about our commitment to higher education. Additionally, I am particularly concerned about the language that micromanages our university and faculty affairs. By requiring tenured faculty to prove their worth through rigid productivity checklists, this bill undermines academic freedom and weakens the foundation of our higher education system. Tenure was designed to protect intellectual independence—not to be used as a tool for political oversight. Our professors should be encouraged to pursue bold research and mentor students, not worry about ticking boxes to keep their jobs. This legislation devalues their work and opens the door to censorship in the classroom.
“We should be investing in our communities’ well-being, and this budget falls short of that goal.”
Sen. Brian Buchanan, R-Lebanon: “Like Hoosiers across Indiana, our state must work hard to tighten our belts when money is tight, as is the case right now at the state level. That’s why I was happy to support a responsible and balanced two-year budget that provides funding increases for K-12 education and protects public safety.
“While this session has ended, my work as a legislator continues into the months ahead. I look forward to working with constituents and my colleagues during the interim to make Indiana an even better place for Hoosiers.”
Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis: “Many Hoosiers struggle to keep up with the increasing cost of housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare. The 2025 state budget passed by Indiana Republicans does not address the very real needs of working families.
“Just a few days ago, Republicans announced that our state revenue was $2.4 billion less than expected. What was their solution? To cut critical programs for Hoosiers like public health initiatives, higher education, pre-k, public transportation and more. Additionally, not only is there no solution to make housing more affordable, but funding for housing resources like the Housing First program was eliminated.
“While these services that benefit hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers were cut, the private school voucher program will receive an additional $100 million of taxpayer money every year starting in 2027. The public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of Hoosier students will remain underfunded.
“The state budget is a blueprint of our priorities. This budget supports the wealthiest among us while leaving the populations that need state support the most out to dry.
“I am disappointed in the lack of involvement Democrats had in this process. Collaboration brings the very best ideas to the table. This budget is not what Hoosiers need, and it is not what Hoosiers deserve.”
Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger: “The General Assembly concluded the 2025 session today, and I am pleased with what we accomplished. Despite having to tighten our belts after receiving a lower revenue forecast, we passed a responsible, balanced budget for Hoosiers. We also passed all the Senate priority bills for this session.
“I also championed several bills regarding education, including ones to increase teacher pay and expand math curriculum opportunities for Hoosier students. These bills help ensure students are receiving the best education possible. As chair of the Senate Committee on Pension and Labor, I also sponsored a bill to provide a thirteenth check for most retired Indiana public employees.
“I look forward to working with my fellow legislators this interim to continue finding meaningful ways to improve and advance education and workplace matters for all Hoosiers.”
Rep. Pat Boy, D-Michigan City: “I cannot fathom the irreparable damage this year’s budget will have on our education systems. This budget not only doesn’t make up for the money our public schools are losing because of property tax cuts but also cuts the funding towards our public universities. Our universities attract thousands of bright students every year and teach them vital skills they can contribute to our state. Instead of fostering these educational environments to provide our young people with opportunities to prosper, the majority has decided to slash their funding.
“The budget raises the tax on cigarette packs to $2.995 per-pack, which will generate $800 million over the next two years. Instead of ensuring that this funding goes towards making up for the cut funding in our education systems, much of this funding is going to a general fund with no guarantee on how it will be used.
“The budget also suspends the growth of the private school voucher program for a year, to make up for part of the $2.4 billion budget deficit, but this suspension is temporary, while the cuts on our schools are not. I hope that in the future this legislature will reprioritize and fund the institutions essential to the welfare and prosperity of Hoosiers.”
Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster: “Hoosiers deserve a budget that reflects our values and priorities—and this one falls short. We’re underfunding public health, failing to support our youngest learners and defunding our higher education institutions. That’s not a path to prosperity—it’s a path to falling behind.
“If we truly want to build a strong economy and retain top talent, we must start by supporting our schools and institutions from the ground up.
“It’s hard to take public health promises seriously when we’re cutting the very programs meant to support them. The ‘Make Indiana Healthy Again’ initiative, championed by Gov. Braun, was touted as a commitment to Hoosiers’ health, yet this budget slashes critical resources. Instead of receiving $100 million annually, public health services will get just $40 million per year over the next biennium. We cannot claim to be making Indiana healthy again while gutting the support systems people rely on.
“This budget tells Hoosiers that their health and education aren’t priorities, and I refuse to support that.”
Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis: “In this moment of economic uncertainty, the average Hoosier family deserves a state willing to support their very real needs. Instead, this budget chooses to invest in the wealthiest 3.5% of families.
“The budget passed by Statehouse Republicans hands nearly $100 million in new taxpayer dollars to the wealthiest families in Indiana every year starting in 2027 to send their children to private schools they are already attending. Meanwhile, our public schools—the backbone of our communities—continue to be underfunded. Adjusted for inflation, Indiana now spends less per student than we did 15 years ago. That’s not progress. That’s disinvestment.
“If we wanted to help working Hoosiers, we would expand access to child care and pre-k. Child care is unaffordable—or simply unavailable—for tens of thousands of parents trying to stay in the workforce. This is when the state should step up and support working families. Instead, this is a step back. On My Way Pre-k saw a 5% cut in funding and a reduction in eligibility. The state views a family of four making $40 thousand a year as too rich to qualify for child care vouchers, but any billionaire now qualifies for a private school voucher.
“Investing in child care, early learning and our public schools pays back for families, employers and our state’s economy. A massive subsidy to Indiana’s uber-wealthy is simply not fiscally responsible.
“This budget is about priorities. And the message is loud and clear—we’re prioritizing ideology over educational outcomes. Wealth over need. Politics over working families. This isn’t fiscally responsible. It’s not equitable. And it’s not what Hoosiers are asking for.”
Statehouse Republicans added a provision to the state budget at the last minute to give the governor control over all trustee appointments for Indiana University. On the House floor, Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, called on Gov. Mike Braun to leave the three democratically elected alumni trustees in office.
Hamilton: “I am calling on Gov. Braun to respect the democratic processes that has successfully served Indiana University for approximately 150 years. Different perspectives are what keep our universities strong.
“This move was done behind closed doors in the 11th hour to deliberately avoid the full democratic process, including input from the public.
“Gov. Braun, I implore you not to follow the supermajority’s tendency to create a solution in search of a problem. Leave the democratically elected IU Trustees in the positions that they were entrusted with by thousands of IU alumni.”
The 2025 legislative session officially concluded without passing any law to criminalize homelessness.
Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis: “It is deeply relieving that the provision to criminalize homelessness did not pass this year.
“I cannot understand how any person thinks it is fair and just to make it a crime to be homeless. People do not choose to endure the suffering of sleeping on the street, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Those who find themselves in such a difficult situation that they are without stable housing do not have $500 to spare.
“There are many ways to help the unhoused population in our state. We must invest in more low-barrier homeless shelters and transitional housing, mental health and addiction services, and crisis intervention response teams.
“I am thankful that my colleagues saw reason and decided not to move forward with this cruel policy. I truly hope this idea is not revisited in the future.”
Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette: “During the 2025 legislative session, a bill that would criminalize homelessness in Indiana did not progress through the General Assembly.
“After the bill died, there were attempts to include the language in other bills—however it was not included in any bill that passed this year.
“I worked hard to ensure this legislation never became law. The solution to homelessness is not incarceration, it’s a more complex issue than that and we need services to address mental health, addiction and employment.
“Indiana is known for our Hoosier hospitality, and I am glad this legislation will not move forward through the Indiana General Assembly this year. I will work to ensure it never becomes law.”
Language authored by Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, that would “create a local oversight board to ensure transparency and accountability in managing county resources for potential school improvements” now heads to the governor’s desk for final review.
Goode: “The language in HEA 1515 is similar to Senate Bill 382, which I authored and passed the Senate earlier this year, but did not continue through the legislative process. Vigo County is home to a great public school system, and I am happy to help local officials and the district come together to make much-needed improvements within our schools without raising property taxes.
“As a proud graduate of Terre Haute’s public school system, I am excited to see the work that could be done within our community thanks to the funding options this legislation provides. I’d like to thank the community leaders who worked on this language and helped me get it to the finish line.”
