Let's See How Much Heart Have Indiana Republicans

 GOP squashes food aid for Hoosiers impacted by SNAP disruption (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Republicans on Indiana’s State Budget Committee rejected an effort to direct state surplus funding to low-income Hoosiers and food banks as federal SNAP benefits expire next month amid a federal shutdown.

Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, urged Indiana leaders to step up, arguing that hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers are at risk of losing the food aid they receive through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

***

Porter said state officials have moved money around for emergencies in the past. He noted the current state budget includes a $300 million contingency fund for three agencies, including the Family and Social Services Administration.

State Budget Director Chad Ranney said that money is for agencies that might have a shortfall in the budget’s second year because of state funding cuts. 

***

Indiana will likely be on the hook for more SNAP costs in the future under changes from President Donald Trump’s administration.

States will pay a percentage of benefit costs depending on their error rates starting October 2027, and they’ll have to pony up for 75% of the administrative costs beginning October 2026. Those changes could cost Indiana up to $264 million more annually, according to FSSA estimates. 

There's a call for a syringe exchange in Evansville. The law allowing them ends soon (Evansville Courier & Press)

As local advocates work to create a syringe exchange program in Evansville, the framework for the whole system is up in the air at the state level.

Indiana has a had a syringe exchange law on the books since 2015. IC 16-41-7.5 allows for the creation of syringe programs in the state. Syringe service programs allow individuals who inject substances to get new, sterile syringes and other items to make the process safer.

The programs are a part of harm reduction services, which offer supplies like clean syringes, Naloxone, condoms and items for wound care.

With the creation of these syringe programs, the law also included an expiration clause that set the law to end July 1, 2026.

***

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, syringe service programs are associated with around 50% reduction in incidence of HIV and Hepatitis C.

"Nearly 30 years of research show that comprehensive SSPs are safe, effective, and cost-saving," the CDC states. "They do not increase illegal drug use or crime, and they play an important role in reducing the transmission of viral hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus, and other infections." 

I think between the two news items, there is no good reason not to vote for the Democrats in 2026.

Then there is Senator Todd Young's response about the government shutdown - via a generic email touting his achievements:

Update on Government Shutdown 

Senate Republicans continue to vote to fund the government and Senate Democrats continue to object. I have now voted 13 times for a bipartisan bill that would fund and reopen the government, but Senate Democrats have blocked this bill each time.

Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a separate bill I led with Senator Ron Johnson to ensure our troops, Border Patrol, TSA, and law enforcement get paid. These men and women continue to show up and do their jobs, even during this manufactured shutdown. Read more about this proposal here.

I am hoping for a breakthrough soon. In the meantime, while the federal government is shut down, my team and I are still working and available to Hoosiers. If you have questions or need assistance, our contact information can be found here.

 Two thoughts: 1) Trump is the supposed king of dealmakers and it is the Democrats fault for the shutdown, and 2) the Democrats want to save Obamacare that Hoosiers need and the result is our Republican Senator is letting SNAP benefits dry up rather than make a compromise?

No, I think Senator Young does not serve the best interests of anyone other than Donald J. Trump.

sch 10/30