BY: LESLIE BONILLA MUÑIZ, Indiana  Capitol Chronicle

A system of regional workforce development boards wants to lead the way on solutions to Indiana’s “immense” labor needs — but fragmentation, funding and other challenges limit its effectiveness, the Indiana Workforce Alliance has found.

The alliance, which represents the state’s 12 workforce boards, commissioned the report from Pathemy Strategies. It was released last week.

At a time “when employers are struggling to find talent, Hoosiers need clear and faster routes to good jobs,” the 25-page report reads. “… Workforce boards offer the connective tissue linking regional economic growth strategies to the people who will power them.”

But they’re “limited by fragmentation in the talent ecosystem, funding cuts, inconsistent quality, and regulatory constructs that crowd out strategy,” it said. It also laid out a plan to help them “evolve from program administrators to strategic conveners and talent system architects.”

Workforce boards are federally authorized groups of community leaders — led by local employers — that guide how national and state workforce dollars are spent in their areas. Indiana has 12, monitored by the state’s Department of Workforce Development.

They oversee about 70 WorkOne job centers, run the recently gutted Jobs for America’s Graduates program, help Hoosiers find jobs or enroll in registered apprenticeships, assist employers in recruiting workers and more.

The report lauded the boards’ “extensive” geographic reach, employer network, adaptability to economic changes and wraparound service provision — such as transportation or child care — to ease barriers to employment. It also applauded Gov. Mike Braun for his attempt to align talent and economic development strategies.

But the system has its weaknesses.

Communication between the boards, state workforce and economic development agencies, and others is often “fractured or ineffective,” according to the report.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, for instance, administers an employment services program for Hoosiers on the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Because workforce boards “are the primary entities charged with helping low-income Hoosiers access job training and employment, the separation of TANF job-readiness efforts creates duplication and limits integration,” the report found.

The critique also applies to the boards themselves, which maintain different databases and platforms that don’t connect to each other.

The report further chided Indiana for not applying for more waivers from federal requirements, which can ease administrative requirements and add flexibility.

But “declining and unpredictable” funding was highlighted as a “growing threat to the stability and scalability” of Indiana’s workforce system.

The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides most of the Hoosier system’s funding, but the amount received has dropped 16% in the last decade — and the share of funding DWD withholds has increased.

Additionally, state funding cuts of $22 million “have all but eliminated” the popular, $26 million Jobs for America’s Graduates program. That’s less than a year after the program finished a massive expansion to become the nation’s largest network.

Thinking bigger

The analysis made several ambitious recommendations to boost workforce development progress in Indiana.

The boards “must see their missions as much bigger” than administering WIOA and their WorkOne centers, it asserted. They should partner more with businesses, chambers of commerce, universities and others — and get talking to lawmakers to prevent cuts in the future, the report added.

“Maintaining active, year-round relationships with public officials and civic leaders means going beyond occasional updates and instead systematizing regular interactions such as district visits, site tours of WorkOne centers, and data briefings that highlight outcomes, workforce needs, and employer perspectives,” it said. “These activities reduce misperceptions about what (workforce boards) do and build long-term champions who can advocate for stronger policies and resources.”

Workforce boards should become the default source of information on training programs, perhaps by creating provider scorecards along key metrics, the report suggested.

The analysis included a call for Indiana’s employers to step up.

It noted many want new or expanded programs, or are frustrated by funding cuts to programs they benefit from, but “are often unwilling to contribute funding or engage in formal advocacy.” Doing so would make the workforce system less reliant on government money, the report said.

The boards should also get more involved in youth apprenticeships, plus educational and economic development planning.

“Rarely are (workforce boards) involved in Indiana’s code-name economic development projects, and that needs to change if workforce and economic development are to be more aligned,” the analysis noted.

Other recommendations included: offering boards greater funding and flexibility, having them administer workforce-related human services programs, strengthening the Indiana Workforce Alliance and integrating data infrastructure.

Workforce boards are “Indiana’s most scalable, demand-responsive workforce infrastructure,” the report asserted. “… But realizing their full potential requires deliberate action from leaders across the full workforce ecosystem.”

On Monday, Gov. Mike Braun issued a press release saying he would sign a proclamation calling a special legislative session for the General Assembly to convene on Monday, Nov. 3, to consider altering the boundaries of Indiana’s congressional districts “and to consider resolving an important issue regarding federal and state tax compliance that must be addressed.”

From the press release: “Indiana uses federal tax law as the starting point for the Indiana tax return, and the recent changes to federal tax law in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act include provisions that impact Indiana state tax filings. …

“Addressing this discrepancy through a special session will provide taxpayers, accountants, and businesses the confidence and clarity ahead of filing season, avoid amended returns and filing delays, and continue the Indiana Department of Revenue’s strong record of fiscal management.”

Braun: “I am calling a special legislative session to protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair. I am also asking the legislature to conform Indiana’s tax code with new federal tax provisions to ensure stability and certainty for taxpayers and tax preparers for 2026 filings.”

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne: “Last week, Hoosiers learned that Senate Republicans did not have the votes required to pass a blatantly rigged congressional map. After that news broke, it didn’t take long for D.C. elites to swoop in and bully Republican lawmakers into bowing to their demands to put partisanship before solving Hoosiers’ actual problems.

“Our state government is owned by Washington, D.C., instead of the people who should actually drive its decisions: Hoosiers. Washington, D.C. is broken and dysfunctional. Why would we listen to them when Hoosiers oppose mid-decade redistricting?

“If Gov. Braun and Statehouse Republicans were listening to Hoosiers, the majority of whom oppose mid-decade redistricting, we wouldn’t be going into a special session. We wouldn’t be wasting taxpayer dollars to redraw maps the House Republicans drew four years ago and described as ‘beautiful’ and perfect.’ Poll after poll after poll has shown that Hoosiers do not want the General Assembly to redraw our congressional maps this year.

“Hoosiers, there is still an opportunity to have your voice heard. Call or email your state representative or senator, now is the time to share your views about this.

“The House and Senate still can lead with courage and common sense by rejecting the governor’s call. There is no requirement that we pass new congressional maps just because Republican Gov. Braun caved to D.C. elites. I am grateful to Hoosiers who have voiced their opposition to this scheme. Hoosiers can stop these new maps from passing.

“There are massive problems in Indiana that demand leadership and action from the Statehouse, like property taxes, utility bills and health care costs. Our congressional districts are not one of them. Let’s keep the focus on Hoosiers and reject this effort from out-of-state elites to change the rules of the game at halftime.”

Sen. Daryl Schmitt, R-Jasper: “Throughout this process, I have been working to gather as much information as I can to make an informed decision regarding redistricting Indiana’s congressional map.

“After seeing how Democrat-controlled states have gerrymandered their congressional maps, and after a recent audit showing many of these states’ populations were overcounted in the 2020 census, I believe the governor must call the General Assembly into a special session so we can redraw Indiana’s congressional maps.”

Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus: “Since President Donald Trump first began pressuring Republicans across the country to redraw congressional maps earlier this summer, Hoosiers have made one thing clear: they do not want new maps. Gov. Braun’s decision prioritizes political games over the will of the people he was elected to serve. The question is simple: Does Braun serve Hoosiers, or Washington, D.C.?

“Indiana residents deserve fair and balanced representation in Congress. When the maps were redrawn in 2021, as required by the Constitution, our Republican colleagues repeatedly assured us that they were fair. So why the sudden change now? It’s not because constituents demanded it–it’s because President Trump and Vice President JD Vance successfully pressured them into submission.

“There’s a misconception that Indiana is a solidly ‘red state.’ In reality, President Trump only received 58% of the vote here in 2024. Indiana is a purple state with challenges in voter turnout. Calling a special session to redraw maps will only further discourage Hoosiers from participating in elections. Reps. Frank Mrvan and Andre Carson have repeatedly earned the trust of their constituents. Yet instead of listening to local communities, Indiana Republicans are disenfranchising them.

“Hoosiers don’t need new congressional maps. They need higher wages, affordable health care, accessible child care and housing and lower utility costs. These are the real issues affecting people’s daily lives. Yet the governor and Republican supermajority are wasting time–and taxpayer dollars–bowing to President Trump. This isn’t just disappointing, it’s an embarrassment to our state. There are plenty of problems Hoosiers face every day that we could be addressing in a special session. Instead, our governor and Republican supermajority are wasting time–and your tax dollars–to bow down to President Trump. This is not only shameful, it’s an embarrassment to our great state.

“We urge all Hoosiers to sign the petition set up by Common Cause Indiana to make their stance on redistricting clear to lawmakers. Call your state representative, senator and Gov. Braun to share your concerns. On the first day of special session, the IBLC encourages everyone to come to the Statehouse to make their voices heard and to understand the potential impact of redistricting.

“The IBLC will stand alongside our Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate to fight this blatant power grab. Hoosiers are worth defending, and we will do everything possible to ensure congressional maps remain fair and balanced—because democracy should not be redrawn for political gain.”

Sen. Scott Alexander, R-Muncie: “In light of recent events, including the federal government shutdown, and after much thought and consideration, I will be supporting efforts to redistrict Indiana’s congressional districts.

“President Trump and our conservative majorities are delivering real results to improve the lives of Hoosiers and strengthen our country. We cannot sit on the sidelines while the Democrats continue to gerrymander and deny Americans fair representation in Washington D.C. The time to take action is now.”

Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis: “I would be happy to have a special session to help the people we were elected to serve–Hoosier taxpayers–not to play a political game. It seems the Governor and I have a different understanding of who we are beholden to.”

Indiana Republican Party Chairwoman Lana Keesling: “Democrat controlled states like Illinois and California have spent years maintaining deeply partisan election maps and insisting the illegal aliens their ‘sanctuary’ policies attract be given congressional representation, and they are now doubling down to give themselves even greater control.

“If Indiana is to have fair representation in Congress, redistricting is an absolute necessity, and I applaud Governor Braun for standing up for Hoosiers in calling this special session.

“I am confident our Republican House and Senate majorities will deliver for their constituents on this issue, and I am proud to give them my absolute support in doing so.”

Rep. Alex Burton, D-Evansville: “Once again, the Statehouse is putting politics before people. Instead of tackling the real problems facing Hoosiers, legislative leaders are racing to redraw political lines and score political points. Meanwhile, families are still struggling with rising utility costs, unaffordable child and health care, a broken DCS system, limited access to quality housing and the ongoing harm caused by Senate Enrolled Act 1.

“If we set the precedent of ignoring process and transparency when it comes to redistricting, what’s next?

“And while some are focused on reshaping maps, I can’t help but think about the questions I hear from people back home: ‘What about the cost of eggs?’ Hoosiers believed in a message that spoke to the reality of increased costs and the promise of relief. But instead of addressing those everyday struggles, I’m being asked to vote on redrawing Congressional maps mid-decade, before we even consider measures to provide relief to municipalities, lower energy costs, improve housing, expand child care access, fix health care, adequately fund public schools, guarantee school safety, or ensure our water is safe to drink.

“I wasn’t elected to engage in political theater. My neighbors in District 77 sent me here to deliver relief, answers and proactive legislation—not to waste time on partisan distractions.

“Now that a special session has been called, let’s use this opportunity to fix what’s broken—starting with SEA 1—and refocus on the issues that actually impact Hoosiers’ daily lives. Our communities deserve leaders who prioritize solutions over self-interest.

“I’ll continue fighting for policies that make life in Indiana more affordable, stable and fair for working families.

“To continue this dialogue, I look forward to hearing from constituents at my upcoming Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. CST at the EPL McCollough Branch, where I will be joined by Former Indiana Senator and Former U.S. Ambassador to The Holy See, Joe Donnelly.”

Rep. Kyle Miller, D-Fort Wayne: “Before Vice President Vance’s first visit, my office had not received a single call or email about redrawing our maps. Since then, the only messages we’ve received on the matter have been against new maps. It’s clear to me that Hoosiers don’t want to redistrict, and it’s time we put people above politics.

“While I haven’t heard any calls from my constituents to redraw our maps, I’ve heard plenty about what they would like to see from our General Assembly. They need lower health care costs and more access to affordable child care. Too many of our neighbors work incredibly hard and still struggle to put food on the table. We could be addressing these issues in a special session to make life better for Hoosiers. Instead, Indiana Republicans are wasting your tax dollars on a special session to appease the federal government.

“As your representative in House District 82, I work for you. Everything that I do at the Statehouse is directly informed by your input and concerns, and it’s unfortunate that many of my colleagues in the Republican caucus clearly don’t operate that way. While it looks like a special session is inevitable, I still encourage all Hoosiers to call their elected officials, Gov. Braun, and caucus leaders to make sure they hear loud and clear: Hoosiers don’t want new maps.”

Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis, House Democratic Caucus chair: “Polling has made it very clear that voters across Indiana oppose mid-decade redistricting, yet here we are being summoned for an expensive special session that serves no public interest. After months of pressure from the political establishment, the governor has abandoned all respect for the will of the people.

“Republicans are aware that people are tired of their failed policies that have left working families struggling to make ends meet. Rather than redrawing maps to protect Washington insiders from the consequences of slashing healthcare and showering billionaires with tax breaks, we should be focused on helping Hoosiers that are struggling to afford utility bills, childcare and healthcare.

“Our constituents elected us to be their voices at the Statehouse, not play political games to silence them. I’m hopeful that legislators from both parties will demonstrate the independence and common sense to reject this nakedly partisan scheme.”

Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster: “Despite clear opposition from Hoosiers, the Governor has officially called for a taxpayer-funded special session to redraw our congressional maps. Now, it’s up to the General Assembly to stand tall, stand strong and stand fair with Hoosiers against this pressure. I will continue to fight for my district and ensure our neighbors’ voices are heard.”

Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, House Democratic Floor Leader and member of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment: “After months of stalling, my Republican colleagues have officially broken under the pressure of the Washington establishment. The legislature will be heading into a special session to try to preemptively overturn the will of the voters before they even get the chance to cast their ballots.

“Indiana families are dealing with genuine hardships. They’re facing crushing property tax bills, unaffordable health care, soaring utility cost, cuts to child care and local services being gutted, yet state leadership’s priority is to burn through taxpayer dollars to further gerrymander already gerrymandered congressional maps. Indiana democrats are already underrepresented in our congressional delegation.

“Apparently, this administration wants to silence our voices, the voice of 40% of voters that did not cast their ballot for a Republican. Hoosiers are starting to feel the impact of unkept promises and failed policies. The bottom line is, Republicans are afraid to defend their record, and they would rather turn our democracy upside down than stand on their policies that are harming our neighbors.

“I’m calling on legislators who value integrity over political gamesmanship to stand with their constituents, reject this unnecessary map-drawing exercise, and tackle the urgent fiscal and healthcare challenges facing our state.”

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian:“Governor Braun has lied to us. How can the people of Indiana have faith in their government when we can’t believe what our elected officials tell us right out loud. Braun called for the legislature to draw new congressional maps in a rare, likely unconstitutional, mid-term redistricting despite telling Hoosiers for weeks that he would not do that unless the House and Senate had the votes. Just days ago, the Senate Republicans announced they do not have the votes. Wasn’t that an outright call to stand down? Didn’t that mean that the Senators listened to their voters and heard the clear message that midterm redistricting is a No?

“What are Hoosiers supposed to think about this? At best, Braun has been brow-beaten, changed his mind, and finally kissed the … ring … of the man who would be King. Or, maybe Braun is telling the Republican Senators that they, not him, will take the blame for any retribution that the White House has been doling out. Or, perhaps, most unsettling of all, Braun lied to us from the beginning.

“Instead of action on utility bills, healthcare costs, and stagnant wages, Hoosiers are getting a special session for a partisan power grab. Now is the time to join our weekly phone banks against redistricting, and call to make sure your state legislators hear you oppose a special session by calling their office at (317) 232-9400.”

Rep. Chris Campbell, D-West Lafayette:“Redrawing Indiana’s maps and drawing elected officials from their seats is a massive disservice to Hoosiers. It feeds further into political division at a time when many are tired of watching our country split down party lines. We should do what’s best for our communities–not what’s best for Washington, D.C., or for a political party.

“This is an effort to rig future elections and cheat voters out of their electoral power. There’s no rationalizing this decision. Instead of voters choosing their representative, the people in power are choosing for them.

“New maps won’t help our communities. It doesn’t solve the child care crisis. It doesn’t lower the cost-of-living or lower your utility bills. It doesn’t help our public schools.

“I’ll fight against this move to consolidate power, so we can preserve the idea of one voter, one vote.”

Rep. Sheila Klinker, D- Lafayette: “I’m devastated that Gov. Braun has called a special session to redraw Indiana’s maps. This effort is unnecessary and a waste of Hoosiers’ hard-earned tax dollars. The 2022 special session cost taxpayers over a quarter of a million dollars. Redistricting erodes our commitment to fair elections, and it puts the votes of thousands of Hoosiers at risk. As lawmakers, we cannot put allegiance to a political party above our oaths to the people. We are not here at the Statehouse to be our own voice, but to be the voice for the thousands we represent.

“Those thousands we represent have been loud and clear. Many voters in Tippecanoe County, on both sides of the aisle, have rallied, called or emailed against this effort. The people I’ve had the pleasure to speak with believe this is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers’ money. They want fair maps that accurately reflect the will of their communities.

“I’ll be there to share your thoughts with the rest of the General Assembly.”

Indiana Conservation Voters statement: “The only people pushing for these new maps live 600 miles away in Washington, D.C. No one here wants this, and it’s disappointing that Gov. Braun caved to the pressure instead of listening to the people who live here and are facing real challenges.

“For more than two months, Hoosiers have made it clear they don’t want Washington outsiders dictating how our state is represented. Thousands have sent emails and called the Governor asking him not to do this. They want lawmakers focused on issues like rising energy costs, inflation and taxes.

“Our current maps are fair and competitive and were drawn just a few years ago using a transparent process. The Governor wants lawmakers to throw out their own hard work and replace it with a map that’s being crafted by political operatives in Washington, D.C.

“That’s not how we do things here, and lawmakers still have a chance to do right by Hoosiers. They can keep the maps they drew four years ago and get back to focusing on issues that actually matter.”