Q&A
What do you consider the two most important issues facing Hoosiers who will see your name on their ballot this November? And if elected, what policies will you push for to address each one?
Property Taxes and Public Safety. Property Taxes and the assessed value of homes need to be reformed.I had a 67 year old woman call me up yesterday (8/28) about the issues she is having with her property taxes. She is on a fixed income and she is worried about not being able to pay her property taxes. This is something I have constantly heard while canvassing. Senator Mike Young has had a bill last year that would eliminate property taxes for 65 and older. I would push for legislation to eliminate property taxes for seniors and reform how homes are assessed so people do not get pushed out of their homes.
There needs to be mandatory sentencing for repeat violent offenders. Whenever I see a news report of people being caught and charged with a shooting, the first thing I do is check Mycase. This week there was a 22 year old and 3 year old that was shot and killed. The 22 year old was charged last year for having a machine gun and resisting law enforcement. Last month (7/2024) the gun charge was dismissed and all he got was probation. He has had multiple felonies before that.* If we want to live in a safe and civilized society, then the criminal scumbags need to be off the street.
*Editor's note: For context, in August, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported 22-year-old Jaishawn Johnson, who did have multiple felonies, and 3-year-old Armonie Booker were shot and killed in Indianapolis. The incident is still under investigation.
We've heard from many in our audience that they feel frustrated — sometimes disenfranchised — by our current political landscape. These feelings sometimes contribute to people deciding not to vote, and Indiana consistently ranks near the bottom of the list on voter turnout. What would you say to a potential voter who feels this way?
First, the voter list needs to be updated. I have gone through thousands of pages of voter information and found a lot of people have not voted in over 12 years, but they are still a registered voter in Indiana. If the voter list was updated then the real turnout would be at least double of what it is currently.**
The reason why voters are upset is because the basic needs of the voter are not being fulfilled from the government. Infrastructure & Public Safety are the 2 basic items local government should be focusing on. They are more focused on pickle ball courts than taking care of the roads.
Communication is another. I have reached out to multiple elected officials and never heard anything back. In fact, 2 of the Indy City Council members have blocked me on Facebook. I have emailed Indy Council member Kristin Jones multiple times to help a constituent get a speed limit put up but I never heard anything back. My own State Rep Justin Moed has refused to email me back about a bill he put up this year.***
I will always be available to talk on the phone, text, email, or even meet in person. My goal is to have town forums to discuss what bills the people want for the current session.
**Editor's note: WFYI reached out to Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell, who provided this statement: “Indiana Code § 3-7-38.2-2 requires counties to perform voter list maintenance every two years. Voter list maintenance took place in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. Though not a part of this office, the bipartisan Marion County Board of Voters Registration conducts voter list maintenance as required by Indiana code. Indiana law regarding voter list maintenance is complicated and this might be a case of an individual who is unaware of how the law is carried out. Per the Secretary of State’s website, ‘A person’s voter registration record is never removed from the statewide voter registration system. Instead, the record is flagged as active, inactive, or canceled.’ You can find more information on the state's website.
***Editor's note: WFYI was unable to independently verify this statement and emailed Jones and Moed for statements, but has not heard back.
Economic anxiety is top of mind for many in our audience and around the country, with a common concern being inflation and the high price of basic needs. In all the complexity around economic issues, what specific changes need to happen to help Hoosiers and their families?
There isn't much anybody can do on a state level. The Federal government and this administration has printed too much and devalued the dollar. The only thing that can be done on a state level is tighten the belt, spend less, have more tax deductions for the common person, and have less taxes. However, there are only a few Republicans that are willing to do that. If you look at most Democrats, they want to raise taxes. Indianapolis Democrats want to raise the wheel and excise tax in Marion County.****
****Editor's note: WFYI reached out to the Indianapolis Democratic Party, and it provided this statement: "The reason discussions like this are taking place is because our Republican controlled state government has consistently underfunded local governments, including Indianapolis. Cities across the state have had to pass these measures to ensure they meet their financial responsibilities. As a candidate for State House, Mr. Whitmer should know this. Democrats at the Statehouse will keep pushing to make sure every community has the resources they need to thrive."
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