Yesterday marked 100 days since the 118th U.S. Congress officially convened for the first time on January 3, 2023. Of course, members were sworn just a few days later, and since then, they hit the ground running.
During the campaign last year, you'll recall House Republicans released the "Commitment to America," a bold agenda focused on building an economy that's strong, a nation that's safe, a future that's built on freedom, and a government that's accountable. If you regularly receive our emails, you've already seen a glimpse of what House Republicans have done in fulfilling that commitment — repealing the Democrats' army of IRS agents, eliminating the military vaccine mandate, passing the Lower Energy Costs Act, establishing the bipartisan select committee on China, and so much more.
In fact, the House, under the new Republican majority, has sent more bills to President Biden's desk than the 117th Congress, despite the Senate being under Democrat control. They've gone on the offensive, bringing bills and resolutions to the floor for votes and exposing Democrats for their extreme beliefs and policy positions on the issues of crime, COVID, and socialism. House Republicans even set a new record for the most congressional hearings in a single day at 42.
The new majority and our Republican congressional delegation of Reps. Rudy Yakym, Jim Banks, Jim Baird, Victoria Spartz, Greg Pence, Larry Bucshon, and Erin Houchin are working hard every day to get our country back on track and hold the reckless Biden administration accountable. And they're just getting started. Enjoy this week's newsletter. Sincerely, |
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Governor Holcomb's Week That Was |
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Investing in Cities, Towns, and Counties 🛣️ |
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Governor Eric Holcomb welcomed the Hagerstown Little League team that represented the Great Lakes region in the Little League World Series las summer to the statehouse this week. |
On Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced the recipients of a combined $133.4 million in state funds as a part of the Community Crossings program, a part of the governor's Next Level Roads initiative.
The program offers matching funds to communities with planned roadwork projects. In total, 224 cities, towns, and counties will split the funds.
“The continued success of the Community Crossings program becomes more evident each year," said Gov. Holcomb. "Improving transportation infrastructure at the most local level makes communities that much more attractive for business and Hoosier families alike to connect and grow."
Since 2016, this program has awarded more than $1.27 billion to local communities to complete vital infrastructure projects. In 2017, state Republican lawmakers identified long-term funding for the Community Crossings program as part of HEA 1002, which Gov. Holcomb signed into law that April.
Community Crossings is a Republican win that continues paving the way for even more growth! (See what we did there?) |
MORE: Governor Eric Holcomb backs the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen's (MachH2) application to bring a regional clean hydrogen hub to the Midwest. |
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Early Voting Has Started ... Knock It Out Now |
You don't have to wait until May 2, 2023, to cast your ballot for the municipal primary election.
You can visit indianavoters.com to see who is on your ballot and find your voting location and hours and knock out voting at your own convenience. You can also apply for an absentee ballot if you qualify and learn more about the processes and tools that the state uses to keep our elections safe and secure (which Indiana has long been a pioneer in).
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Save the Date: Municipal Candidate Training |
This week we released a save the date for our upcoming municipal candidate training — IN IT TO WIN: Victory in Indiana's Cities & Towns — to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the University of Indianapolis.
We're fielding candidates across Indiana's cities and towns who will work to deliver results for Hoosiers like you. And to help them get across the finish line first on election night, we're helping skill them up with this one-day training session on all things grassroots, finance, and communications. Be on the lookout for more details! |
Inflation Outpaces Wage Gains Now for Two Years |
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released Tuesday showed inflation has now been at or above 5% for 23 straight months, well above the Federal Reserve's average target rate of 2%. Meanwhile, real wages have been negative for 24 straight months — two years!
Don't forget: Democrats fueled inflation with their partisan $1.9 trillion spending spree, then spent two years saying it would be "temporary."
From Market Watch: The numbers: Consumer prices rose a scant 0.1% in March largely because of lower energy costs, but U.S. inflation more broadly was still high and showed little sign of quickly subsiding.
Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast a 0.2% increase in the consumer price index. It was the smallest uptick in three months.
The yearly rate of inflation slowed to 5% from 6% and and touched the lowest level since May 2021. What’s helped have been extremely high inflation readings in early 2022 dropping out of the yearly rate.
More negatively, the so-called core rate of inflation that omits food and energy rose a sharper 0.4%. Wall Street had forecast a 0.4% gain. Federal Reserve officials don’t ignore food and energy given their importance as household staples, but they view the core rate as a more accurate predictor of future inflation trends. Article continues. |
ICYMI: NCAA March Madness: 'Chairman's Bracket Challenge' Winner Announced |
It wasn't pretty for anyone, but congratulations to "rupe47" for winning the "Chairman's Bracket Challenge" with 670 points and a 94.9%. If that's you, please reach out to Luke Thomas at [email protected] to claim your prize. In case you were wondering, here are the top five finishers: - rupe47, Marquette, 670 points, 94.9%
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AD Ritz, Texas, 590 points, 91.2%
- CubsLucas, Purdue, 580 points, 90.4%
- wabashman11, Texas, 550 points, 87.2%
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MattOrgan, Marquette, 540 points, 85.6%
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This Week at the Statehouse |
Bills are once again moving from committees — some for the last time — while others have more to go through and others are headed to the governor's desk. Priority Bills of Governor Holcomb This week, the Senate Committee on Appropriations passed an amended version of HB 1001, the state budget (this will eventually head to conference committee). Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Appropriations also amended and passed HBs 1492, 1590, and 1591 sending them to the Senate floor. Priority Bills of House Republicans
This week, there was a lot of movement on priority bills. HBs 1002 and 1004 passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations and will now head to the Senate floor. Meanwhile, HB 1006 was returned to the House with amendments, HB 1008 passed the Senate, and the House concurred with the Senate's amendments to HB 1009. Priority Bills of Senate Republicans
This week brought more movement on priority bills. SBs 1 and 7 passed their second reading and were ordered engrossed. Meanwhile, SBs 3 and 4 were amended on second reading and ordered engrossed, the Senate concurred with the House's amendments to SB 5, and the Senate dissented to the House's amendments to SB 8 and will head to conference committee.
To stay up-to-date, visit iga.in.gov and the governor's bill watch page here. TOTAL BILLS SIGNED (as of TODAY at 10 AM): 14 |
If you know a college student that's interested in stepping into the world of Hoosier politics, we've got them covered.
We're looking for young, talented Hoosiers to join us at our headquarters in Indianapolis. This opportunity allows them to get hands-on experience working for Indiana's largest and most successful political organization, providing administrative support to staff and taking on special projects (and more) while helping build their resume, gain insight into the political and legislative processes, and make valuable connections. And we'll do this all while helping them earn college credit.
Have someone in mind? Send them to this link for more information and to apply! |
Upcoming Events Across the State
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Governor Eric Holcomb presents Denny Costerison of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials with the Public Service Award for Excellence
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch meets with Hoosier and former Navy Seal David Goggins
Secretary of State Diego Morales meets with Fulton County’s Clerk
Attorney General Todd Rokita celebrates win challenging WOTUS rule
Auditor of State Tera Klutz announces open department positions
Treasurer of State Daniel Elliott commends the Senate committee for passing HB 1008
U.S. Sen. Todd Young to hold virtual Academy Day on Monday, April 17
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun visits Greenfield Central High School, learns about robotics program
Congressman Rudy Yakym celebrates bipartisan win of President Biden signing end of COVID national emergency
Congressman Jim Banks calls the Biden economy "a disaster"
Congressman Jim Baird visits the Appleseed Childhood Education Center
Congresswoman Victoria Spartz calls for submissions for 2023 Congressional Art Competition
Congressman Greg Pence visits Richmond, shares available resources
Congressman Larry Bucshon introduces bipartisan PSA for HIM Act
Congresswoman Erin Houchin calls for submissions for 2023 Congressional Art Competition |
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PAID FOR BY THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE. NOTH AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE. WWW.INDIANA.GOP. |
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