This Independence Day, Not Everyone is Celebrating

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Indiana families are facing a cruel summer, and it’s not because of the heat. Governor Mike Braun has failed to meet the deadline to opt into the federally funded SUN Bucks program, which provides critical summer grocery money for low-income children. This program costs nearly nothing to Indiana taxpayers — the state only pays 50% of the administration costs — yet it fed over 600,000 Hoosier children last summer and brought millions of dollars to local grocery stores, farmers markets, and small businesses.

Instead, while children go hungry, Governor Braun chose to do nothing. Now, he’s cheering on the Republican One Big Ugly Bill that will cut healthcare for 230,000 Hoosiers.

While ignoring the needs of Indiana’s most vulnerable, Braun has quietly spent taxpayer dollars building a private heliport at his personal residence, using state helicopters at taxpayer expense to travel to and from his home in Jasper — all while the taxpayer-funded Governor’s Mansion sits empty in Indianapolis. The cost of the helicopter pad and helicopter trips? Hundreds of thousands of dollars Hoosiers will never get back.

Braun is just “Governor Me-First” — a leader more interested in personal luxury than public service.

This is not who we are as Hoosiers. Indiana families believe in helping our neighbors. We believe in feeding children and caring for veterans. We believe public dollars should serve the public — not build luxury pads for politicians.

For Hoosiers in need of support:

• Families looking for food assistance can call 2-1-1 to find summer meal programs and resources.

• Veterans in crisis can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (Press 1) or visit va.gov for support.

Hoosiers deserve better than a governor who abandons our children, ignores our heroes, and enriches himself with our tax dollars. It’s time to demand leadership that reflects true Hoosier values: compassion, responsibility, and community.