Wednesday night brought home another stark reminder of the differences between Indiana and Washington DC. I am grateful to live in a state led by Governor Holcomb and other Republican office holders. As for Joe Biden’s speech to Congress earlier this week? Yikes. It seems that whenever his handlers allow him to make public appearances, Biden goes further and further to the left. This is a party dominated by Pelosi, Schumer, the Squad and a host of other socialists. Just look back at what was said on Wednesday. Apparently the Trojan Horse “COVID relief” package and the everything-the-left-wants-is-infrastructure “infrastructure plan” just wasn’t enough reckless spending for Biden and his socialist handlers. What we heard Wednesday amounts to trillions of dollars in reckless spending and billions of dollars in tax increases. The Biden-Pelosi-Schumer agenda is a reckless sell out to the far left.

Here in Indiana we balance budgets, cut taxes, and take care of important issues that impact Hoosiers. I did get a bit of a chuckle from the hapless Indiana Democrats this week. It seems they’re desperate to take credit for the superb leadership Governor Holcomb has displayed throughout the pandemic. Keep in mind, this is the group that attacked Holcomb every step of the way during COVID, wanted massive business shutdowns, and still want our schools closed to in-person learning. In reality, the recently completed legislative session was a transformational one for Hoosiers, thanks to Gov. Holcomb and Republican legislative leaders. We have more information on the session below, but Indiana is paying down debt, paying cash for projects, keeping taxes and regulations low and investing in Hoosiers, communities, teachers and students unlike ever before. Compare that with the reckless spending in Washington and you have stark contrasts between responsible governing and divisive leftism. Between reality, data-driven leadership and fantasyland politics.

Thanks

Kyle

Photo: Chairman Hupfer speaking with WISH TV in Indianapolis earlier this week

Building One Indiana for All

On Tuesday, Governor Holcomb joined Toyota executives to announce the addition of two electric vehicles to its production line at the Princeton facility. This will be supported by by an $803 million investment and the creation of 1,400 new jobs! Indiana is home to the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, and our pool of talented Hoosiers will ensure that companies continue to invest in Indiana and create good jobs for Hoosiers. Under Governor Holcomb's leadership, Indiana has broken economic development & jobs records year after year.
 

“Toyota has been an incredible partner to the state of Indiana for nearly 25 years, and we're thrilled to continue that partnership in order to drive our economy forward." -Governor Holcomb
 

Governor Holcomb also joined the Economic Club of Indiana as the speaker for their April luncheon. He provided updates about a variety of topics that are impacting Hoosiers, including our record breaking economic development investments. Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNHXBT_L4qY

Photo: Governor Holcomb speaks at the Economic Club of Indiana's April Lunch via Zoom.

Chairman Hupfer on HR 1

Chairman Hupfer shared some thoughts on HR 1 with members of the RNC and Fox News. HR 1 is nothing short of a Democrat hijacking of our elections process and we can’t let it happen.

Read more here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rnc-exec-dems-hr-1-hostile-takeover-election-process

Session Highlights

The 2021 Indiana General Assembly went into recess last week, closing the page on a truly “transformational” session. Here are some highlights of the session:
 

• Responsible, conservative fiscal management
  • The state budget is continues Indiana’s conservative fiscal management. This budget is balanced. It preserves our triple-A credit rating. It restores our rainy day fund. It pays off a lot of debt, saving Hoosiers from future interest payments.
    • Budget will also infuse the pre-1996 teacher pension fund with $600m and unemployment insurance trust fund with $500m.
    • Able to pay cash for major projects like state archive building, new campuses for the School for the Deaf and School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, two new state park inns, enhanced cyber security infrastructure, new state police post and lab, etc.
    • Indiana weathered the COVID-19 economic storm, and now we’re roaring back because of the leadership of Governor Holcomb and our Republican legislators

• Unprecedented investments in education
  • The state budget prioritizes education and supports our students, parents and teachers like never before.
    • 50% of general fund appropriations are dedicated to K-12 education
    • Expands the nation’s best school choice program.
    • Fulfills recommendations of Governor Holcomb’s teacher compensation commission.
    • Allocates $1.9 billion in NEW money for K-12 education, increases K-12 tuition support by $1.03 billion.
• Supports Job Creators and Economic Development
  • Governor Holcomb’s regional economic acceleration and development initiative (READI) was created to spur regional cooperation that will enhance communities and spur population growth.
    • In 2020, Gov. Holcomb and the IEDC set a job attraction record—during a global pandemic—and will look to break that record again in 2021. 
• Next Level Agenda
  • Governor Holcomb was also able to get through a number of key items from his 2021 Next Level Agenda:
    • The creation of READI Grants.
    • COVID liability protections for schools and businesses
    • Comprehensive law enforcement reform package passed house and senate unanimously.
      • Provides body cams for officers, reviews law enforcement training, etc.
    • Expands broadband development
    • Keeps permanent the approved use of electronic meetings and signatures for state business.
    • Pregnancy Accommodations for expecting mothers.
      • The governor also signed an executive order expanding pregnancy accommodations for state employees.
    • Keeps permanent the use of telehealth services.
      • “Telehealth is a win for everyone—care providers have fewer missed visits, patients reduce their travel time for care, and public health improves,” Governor Holcomb.

Holcomb: A Steady Hand at the Wheel

Check out this Letter to the Editor from Floyd County Commissioner Shawn Carruthers. https://www.newsandtribune.com/opinion/letter-gov-holcomb-a-steady-hand-at-the-wheel/article_d125b272-a5bf-11eb-832b-2384dc7a9748.html

Chairman Hupfer on WOWO

Chairman Kyle Hupfer was on Fort Wayne’s WOWO with Kayla Blakeslee earlier this week. Kyle discussed some major Republican wins for the 2021 session. You can listen to the interview here: https://www.wowo.com/several-gop-wins-from-latest-indiana-legislative-session/

RNC Statement on Joe Biden's Joint Address

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on Joe Biden's joint address:

“Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office have been an unqualified failure, including unprecedented attacks on energy workers, a humanitarian crisis at the border, and an America-last foreign policy agenda. Then there is his hyper-partisanship, as he and Democrats attempt to abolish the filibuster, pack the Supreme Court, and force through their H.R. 1 power grab. In his inaugural address, Biden called for unity. That was a lie, and our nation is worse off and more divided thanks to Joe Biden."