INDIANAPOLIS—Following Gov. Mike Braun’s first State of the State address, the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus is calling for real solutions—not just rhetoric—to the challenges Hoosiers face every day. While the governor outlined a vision of freedom and opportunity, freedom means nothing if you or your family can’t afford a home. Opportunity means nothing if your child’s education depends on what school they can—or cannot—get into. And prosperity means nothing if it’s only available to those at the top.

“Speeches don’t lower medical bills. Good intentions don’t build homes. Promises don’t pay teachers,” Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) said. “Governor Braun told Hoosiers what he wants Indiana to be—but where is the plan to get it done?”

Senate Democrats are demanding real action on the most pressing issues facing Hoosiers:

Housing: Indiana has a shortage of 140,000 affordable rental homes, yet the governor’s plan ignored the 30% of Hoosiers who are renters. What is being done for the renters—the seniors on fixed incomes and the families struggling with rising housing costs? How will we prevent out-of-control rent hikes and unsafe housing conditions?

Health Care: Nearly 500,000 Hoosiers are uninsured, one in five counties lacks enough providers, and more than 25% of Hoosiers skip medical care because they can’t afford it—yet the governor’s budget slashes public health funding by a third and kicks 200,000 Hoosiers off health coverage with the possible passage of Senate Bill 2. How will this administration make sure Hoosiers don’t just see prices—they can actually afford care?

Education: With 90% of Hoosier students in public schools, why are we shifting resources away from them while private schools receiving taxpayer money aren’t held to the same accountability standards? If transparency is a priority for health care, why isn’t it for education? And if we can fund school vouchers, why can’t we fully fund public schools and ensure teachers are paid what they deserve?

“This isn’t about politics—it’s about the future of Indiana,” Yoder continued. “The governor says he wants to support working Hoosiers. So what’s the plan for the family who can’t find a place to live? For the diabetic Hoosier rationing insulin? For the family drowning in medical debt? For the parents wondering if their child’s school will have enough teachers next year? Hoosiers aren’t waiting for promises—they need real solutions. And as Democrats, we are ready to work to make sure Indiana is a place where families don’t just get by—they thrive.”

Senate Democrats will continue fighting for the families, futures and freedoms of all Hoosiers. The question now is—will Governor Braun take action?