INDIANAPOLIS—As the Senate Appropriations Committee held its final hearing on House Bill (HB) 1001 – the state’s two-year budget proposal – Senate Democrats introduced a slate of amendments aimed at meeting the urgent needs across Indiana that include affordable housing, strengthening health care access and expanding educational opportunity for Hoosiers across the state.

Senators David Niezgodski (D-South Bend), Rodney Pol Jr. (D-Chesterton), Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis), and Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago)—presented a series of amendments aimed at addressing the needs of Hoosiers across the state.

“The budget is one of the most consequential bills we hear this session,” the senators said in a joint statement. “We have a responsibility to present amendments that reflect the voices of our constituents, especially during a year of tight fiscal constraints, minimal revenue growth and increasing uncertainty about the impact of federal budgeting and policy on the state economic conditions and revenue. Hoosiers are calling out for help, and we are responding by prioritizing their needs.”

We responded by offering the following amendments during the Appropriations Committee meeting today:

Affordable Housing 

Amendment #56 would double the state’s annual Affordable and Workforce Housing Tax Credit from $30 million to $60 million—adding $30 million in new investment each year to support the development of affordable housing options.

“Too many Hoosiers are struggling to keep up with housing costs. Raising the cap on this tax credit is a smart, proven way to expand housing access and reduce the burden on working families.”

Health Care Access 

Amendment #92 would invest approximately $140 million to add additional slots to the PathWays for Aging and Health and Wellness waivers – addressing significant waitlists for services that help older and medically vulnerable Hoosiers across the state remain in their homes.

“The State must support Hoosier when they are most vulnerable,” the senators said. “This program is a critical lifeline for individuals who are aging. This amendment is financially prudent for the state to keep Hoosiers in their homes through access to home and community-based services comparatively to institutional care.  As federal funding for Medicaid and human services becomes more uncertain, we must act now at the state level. Our amendment provides a common-sense solution to protect medically vulnerable Hoosiers.”

Amendment #74 increases the Community Mental Health appropriation by $50 million per fiscal year, providing stability to a system still struggling to meet statewide demand.

“Mental illness remains a crisis in Indiana, impacting young people, veterans and families across the state,” the senators said. “Although we passed SEA 1 in 2023 to begin addressing the issue, the lack of permanent funding mechanisms puts these services at risk year after year. We’ve seen this problem before with the 13th Check – when programs lack dedicated funding, they are easily left out. This amendment ensures stability for mental health programs that Hoosiers rely on.”

Education and Child Care

Amendment #89 would add the curricular materials line-item to the School Funding Formula, allocating $244.69 million per fiscal year at the 2025 reimbursement rate.

“The House-passed budget removes this funding altogether, abandoning a commitment made under the Holcomb administration,” the senators said. “Without this amendment, schools will have to shoulder the cost—effectively wiping out the promised 2% funding increases for traditional public schools while private voucher schools see bigger boosts. That’s not fair to the 960,000 public school students counting on us.”

Amendment #83 proposed restoring full funding for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) at $196.2 million per year, eliminating the program’s current waitlist and restoring the appropriation to the amount that was in the original proposal from the Governor’s Proposed Budget.

“We proposed an amendment to fully fund CCDF. This has been a priority for not only the Senate Democrats, but the entire General Assembly. Ensuring access to affordable child care helps working families thrive and supports Indiana’s workforce. This bipartisan amendment reflects our shared commitment to making Indiana a pro-family state.”

Committee Outcome  

All four amendments introduced by the Senate Democrats were voted down along party lines.

“Our amendments were grounded in common-sense solutions and shared values,” stated the senators. “Though they were rejected in committee, we will continue to advocate for housing, health care and education on the Senate floor—and fight for a budget that reflects the values and priorities of all Hoosiers.”