Child Care Cuts From the FSSA

·27 min·2 clips

Governor Mike Braun appoints Abby Gray to tackle rising utility bills, but can she overcome a legislature tilted toward utilities?

The episode opens with host Brandon Smith introducing the week's topics, including a new utility consumer counselor and child care cuts. Governor Mike Braun appoints Abby Gray to the utility consumer counselor role, directing her to evaluate utility profits to ease ratepayer burden. Panelists Elise Schrock, Mike O'Brien, John Schwanes, and Whitney Downard discuss whether Braun can impact utility bills amid legislative challenges. They note Indiana's shift from low to high energy prices, citing data centers and aging infrastructure as factors. The conversation turns to whether utility bills could become the next property tax crisis, with disconnect notices rising in Indianapolis. Next, the FSSA cuts child care voucher reimbursement rates due to a $225 million funding gap, attributed to over-enrollment and expired COVID relief funds. Panelists debate budget priorities, with Elise Schrock calling it a manufactured crisis and highlighting impacts on women and people of color. Mike O'Brien points to competing budget demands like K-12 education and Medicaid. John Schwanes emphasizes child care as a workforce and economic development issue. A study by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce finds lack of child care costs the state $4 billion annually, questioning private sector reliance. The panel then discusses Secretary of State Diego Morales' study on moving municipal elections to even-numbered years to save $18 million and boost turnout. Panelists express concerns about nationalizing local issues and confusion from longer ballots. Some suggest allowing communities to opt-in, especially smaller towns. The episode concludes with a brief mention of IU's mascot, Hoosier the Bison, returning after decades.

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