State Rep. Garcia Wilburn explains ‘no’ vote on budget

Submitted by Office of State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn

On Friday the Indiana House of Representatives passed a final version of House Bill 1001, the two-year state budget. State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) voted ‘no’ on the budget out of a concern for public school, public health, early learning funding, and a belief that budget writers could produce a better budget to shield Hoosier families during uncertain economic times.

Specifically, HB 1001:

1. Increases traditional public school funding by only 3.3 percent in 2026 and 1.6 percent in 2027, while brick-and-mortar charters receive a 4.8 percent increase in 2026 and a 3.7 percent increase in 2027. Traditional public schools will have limited state funding growth while losing $744 million in property tax revenue because of Senate Enrolled Act 1.
2. Pauses the expansion of the private school voucher program for only one year, then implements universal vouchers in 2027. Vouchers will increase by 10.1 percent in 2026 and 23.4 percent in 2027.
3. Decreases the eligibility level for On My Way Pre-K from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 135 percent of the federal poverty level. Fewer working families will be eligible to qualify for pre-K.
4. Reduces the funding for the Health First Indiana program to $80 million, a $145 million cut from the 2023 biennial budget.

Garcia Wilburn released the following statement after her ‘no’ vote:

“I will always give credit where credit is due – it was heartening to see an increase in the cigarette tax in this year’s budget, which is something I have been advocating for since becoming a lawmaker due to the positive public health impacts of this policy.

“However, that wasn’t enough to convince me that this budget is the best we could do as the General Assembly.

“It’s inefficient to keep growing the funding for three different school systems alongside our constitutionally mandated traditional public school system, which delivers great results for House District 32 families. This budget tells HD 32 families that the school corporations they overwhelmingly choose – Carmel Clay Schools, Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation and MSD Washington Township – are not a priority, and I can’t support a budget that does that. Additionally, amid potential funding cuts for Medicaid and the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education, I believe special education needed an extra-large boost, which it doesn’t receive in this budget.

“I also struggled to support a budget that axes critical public health funding by $145 million over the next two years and lowers the income eligibility requirement for families to qualify for On My Way Pre-K. Hoosiers move to our communities because they are great places to raise a family and focus on your health and wellness, but these cuts jeopardize these community values.

“This budget could have done more to support working families, and that’s why I voted against it today.”