Indiana Senate Democrats launch 2025 agenda

Submitted by Indiana Senate Democrats

The Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus announced on Thursday its legislative agenda, what they call a bold and solutions-driven plan to address the issues Hoosiers care about most: education, health care, and housing. With families, futures and freedoms at the core, this agenda tackles the barriers holding Hoosiers back and delivers real results.

“Budgets are more than numbers – they’re a reflection of who we fight for,” Yoder said. “This year, we’re fighting for Hoosiers who want better schools for their kids, health care they can afford and housing they can rely on. Our priorities aren’t just ideas – they’re solutions to the challenges we’ve heard from families across Indiana. This agenda is about listening, acting, and delivering.”

Indiana Senate Democrats’ 2025 Priorities

1. Health Care 

• Momnibus bill: Tackling Indiana’s maternal health crisis, this bill mandates Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, expands postpartum mental health care, establishes a stillbirth prevention pilot, and creates a behavioral health helpline for mothers.

• Health care debt reform: Ends predatory medical debt practices by prohibiting wage garnishments and property liens, capping interest rates, and protecting Hoosiers during insurance appeals.

2. Housing

• Utility disconnections: Prevents utility companies from shutting off services on Fridays, weekends or holidays and eliminates punitive fees for reconnections and unpaid balances.

• Tenant rights: Strengthens renter protections, requiring landlords to provide 60 days’ notice before property sales and ensuring essential repairs are made promptly.

3. Education 

• Public school funding and support: Proposes a minimum $65,000 salary for K-12 teachers, fully funds the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to eliminate harmful waitlists and invests $50 million in critical school staffing.

Delivering for Hoosier families 

Yoder emphasized the caucus’s commitment to families in this budget year. “Budgets are moral documents. They show what we value, and we believe every dollar should go toward building a healthier, more prosperous future for all Hoosiers,” she said.

Assistant Minority Leader Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) highlighted the economic implications of the agenda: “Education and health care are not just moral priorities – they are economic imperatives. Strong schools create a skilled workforce, and affordable health care keeps families and communities strong. These investments are the foundation of Indiana’s long-term prosperity.”

Caucus Chair Rodney Pol Jr. (D-Chesterton) addressed the housing crisis: “Stable housing is a fundamental human right. Our bills ensure that no Hoosier has to fear sudden evictions or utility disconnections, and they hold landlords and utility companies accountable. Housing stability drives health, education and economic success.”

Contrasting priorities 

The urgency of the caucus’s agenda stands in stark contrast to the priorities – or lack thereof – highlighted by the majority party. Despite education being the second-largest budget item, it was notably absent from the Republican leadership’s press conference yesterday. “Hoosiers deserve more than silence on these critical issues,” Yoder said. “Our caucus is committed to doing the work and passing the policies that families need to thrive – not just survive.”