Progressive Indiana Network Special Events

Hear from Lilliana Young, a democrat running in Indiana House District 61. This district encompasses Bloomington. To hear her other interview from our event, check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack.

Hear from Ashley, a democrat running for Indiana House 16. This district includes: Monticello, Brookston, Rensselaer, North Judson, and Winamac. To hear his other interviews check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack.

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Hear from Micheal Potter, a democrat in Indiana running for House District 47. This district includes: Bargersville, Franklin, Marion, Trafalgar, Mt Pleasant, Fountaintown, Fairland, and Edinburgh. To hear his other interviews from the event, check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack.

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Hear from Tabitha, a democrat running in Indiana’s 8th district. This includes: Cliton, Terre Haute, Brazil, all the way down the west side of Indiana to Evansville. To hear all her interviews from the event check out PIN: HoosLeft & Hold’em Accountable on substack.

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Hear from Austing Meives, a democrat running for Indiana State House 23 (Puru, Logansport, Miami County). This interview comes from our event Portraits and Perspectives. To hear the rest of Austin’s Interviews check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on substack.

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Hear from Jackson Franklin, a democrat running in Indiana’s 5th congressional district. This interview is from our event Portraits and Perspectives. To hear the other 2 interview Jackson completed that day, check out the PIN Network: Hoosleft and Holdem Accountable.

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progressiveindiana.net

bradmeyer.org

Brad Meyer, progressive candidate for Indiana's 9th Congressional District, holds his second virtual town hall answering questions from viewers on YouTube, Facebook Live, and ProgressiveIndiana.net. Meyer, who spent 25 years in manufacturing leadership and 9 years as a Navy civilian subject matter expert before quitting to run for office, argues Democrats need to stop playing it safe and being cautious—instead fighting boldly for progressive policies. The Democratic primary is on May 5th. Topics covered include opposition to the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, strong support for universal single-payer healthcare, addressing the affordability crisis through progressive taxation and worker power, publicly funding elections, paid family leave, affordable housing, congressional stock trading, making college affordable, and the situation in Gaza.

Progressive Indiana Network is subscriber-supported independent media. To help us continue bringing you special events like this, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

3:24 - U.S.-ISRAEL ATTACKS ON IRAN- Wildly inappropriate and undemocratic—president didn't go to Congress because he doesn't want to know what Americans think- Trump sabotaged Obama's Iran nuclear deal 7 years ago, destroying diplomatic pathway and making force the only option- Partners in West can't trust America to negotiate after experiencing political cost with no benefit6:50 - HEALTHCARE (CHRISTINE ON YOUTUBE)- Strong advocate for universal nonprofit single-payer healthcare- Member of Physicians for National Health Program- Americans die 4 years earlier, pay twice as much, double infant/maternal mortality, 80% with medical debt have insurance9:00 - AFFORDABILITY CRISIS- Root problem is inequality—wealth concentration at top while working people fall behind- Need progressive taxation (wealth tax, higher income taxes on rich, close loopholes, corporate tax reform)- Labor organizing key to giving workers bargaining power for fair wages13:38 - WHAT DISTINGUISHES A PROGRESSIVE (KEVIN ON FACEBOOK)- Progressive starts with "what does a just society look like?" and works from there to solutions- Populist starts with "blame those people"—even if solutions end up same, process matters- Example: 14 million families with food insecurity—progressive asks how to fix problem, solution happens to be taxing billionaires16:02 - NEGOTIATING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES (HOOSIERLEMON ON SUBSTACK)- Strongly supports negotiating drug prices- Current Medicare has gaps—doesn't address prescription prices, addiction, mental health, disabilities as well as needed- March is Disabilities Awareness Month18:00 - PUBLICLY FUNDING ELECTIONS (@FANTUSGREY ON YOUTUBE)- Publicly funding elections is great idea in theory- Concern: Current administration would undermine it—if federally controlled, Trump would find way to keep opponents from getting money- Already attacking ActBlue to keep money out of pockets of people who oppose him21:01 - PAID FAMILY LEAVE (HOOSIERLEMON ON SUBSTACK)- Yes, supports paid family leave- Every time government puts policy in place (like Americans with Disabilities Act), industry says it'll wreck economy, then it doesn't- Open to good ideas and solutions on implementation—could be through insurance or government systems23:01 - GAVIN NEWSOM AND "CULTURALLY NORMAL" COMMENT- Newsom said Democrats need to be "culturally normal"—abandon identity politics, focus on kitchen table issues- Brad: Challenge in Southern Indiana is explaining things to people with different priorities- Need to do better job communicating why issues like LGBTQ rights, environment matter to everyone—not stop caring, but reach out and communicate in way that resonates27:01 - TRANSGENDER IDS- Yes, transgender individuals should be able to update government-issued IDs to match gender expression- Purpose of ID is to identify who you are—picture/info needs to match what they see, not "what's covered by swimsuit"- Kansas revoking transgender IDs is intentional attempt to control expression and stir up hate29:11 - AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS (HOOSIERLEMON ON SUBSTACK)- Would support banning sale of residential properties to private equity, but federal limits on intrastate commerce- Biggest thing federal government can do: tax policy making it less attractive for private equity to buy residential properties- Public housing has role—government did it well after WWII, need creative solutions for today, also need immigrants to build housing34:04 - FIGHTING BACK AGAINST REPUBLICAN TACTICS (@FANTUSGREY ON YOUTUBE)- Republicans used brute strength to stop Obama's Supreme Court appointment—are you willing to fight back or engage in such behavior if necessary?- Brad: Wishes it weren't necessary, but it is—Reagan/Tip O'Neill era and Lee Hamilton age are gone- No reliable partners on other side for reasoned debate—they're trying to steal land under our feet, must stand up and stop it35:50 - PATH TO WINNING THIS DISTRICT (KEVIN ON FACEBOOK)- District went 64-32 Republican last time—is path through moderate swing voters or motivating non-voters?- Brad: Central issue of primary—need to give voters choice, not audition to be like Republicans- Democrats have better answers—reach across aisle to take them by hand and explain why our solutions better, not snuggle up to them- When Democrats play mild/soften, best they can offer is "next year will probably only suck about as much"—need to persuade with alternative vision41:12 - DESCRIBE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN ONE OR TWO WORDS- New York Times focus group: every Democrat preferred progressive to moderate, but described party unkindly- Brad: "Rebuilding"—seeing it in Harrison County (200 Democrats at dinner party), Brown County, Jackson County, Ripley County, Jefferson County42:27 - ELECTION SECURITY AND POLLING STATION INTERFERENCE (@FANTUSGREY ON YOUTUBE)- What steps being taken against possible interference shenanigans? What can candidate/campaign do to secure vote?- As candidate: help get out vote, help people understand limitations/risks, encourage voting- Need message that inspires people to vote—Republicans counting on apathy, need to give something worth getting off couch for44:25 - HAKEEM JEFFRIES FOR SPEAKER- When Democrats retake House, would you vote for Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker?- Jeffries has done good work with very difficult hand under current administration- Hasn't thought much about who should be in leadership—not going to be him as freshman, will think seriously about it in December46:42 - D.C. AND PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD- Would you support making D.C. and/or Puerto Rico states to balance anti-democratic lean in Senate?- Open to Puerto Rico statehood, but not from perspective of balancing Republican vs. Democrat- Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, current Commonwealth status doesn't serve them well—if they want statehood, should be seriously considered- On gerrymandering: could support federal law making it illegal as undemocratic principle48:55 - CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADING BAN (HOOSIERLEMON ON SUBSTACK)- Supports banning congressional stock trading (Trump brought up at State of the Union, Elizabeth Warren gave standing ovation)- Mutual funds reasonable, but shouldn't be able to invest in individual stocks or even particular sectors- Sectors could be manipulated through Congress—congressional members perform better than S&P, appears shady50:15 - MAKING COLLEGE AFFORDABLE (KATY SHEFFLER ON FACEBOOK)- Cost of college up 10x since 1970 (adjusted for inflation), debt load up 50% in last 20-30 years, starting salaries lower- People hurt most: those who get year or two in, find it's not for them—all debt, none of benefit- Make first year free for qualified students so they're not burdened if they decide college isn't for them- Government used to invest in college like roads/bridges/water treatment—now treat as private good, hugely unfair burden previous generations didn't have53:15 - PAC AND SUPER PAC DONATIONS (@FANTUSGREY ON YOUTUBE)- Not taking donations from PACs/super PACs at this time- Not against aligned organizations (like universal healthcare PAC) donating—won't take AIPAC money- Would prefer small donations only, but Republicans have enormous war chest (50%+ of Houchens money from out of state)- Can't afford to walk away from building war chest to make difference—if elected, would support laws limiting PAC donations55:40 - IRAN AND GAZA (HOLLY ON FACEBOOK)- Iran: Process issues with how attacks were done—illegal, doesn't bring American people in for buy-in- Iranian government has been saying "death to America" for 45 years, supported Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis- Gaza: Gut wrenching to see what's happening—only way past cycle of violence is two-state solution- U.S. should advocate with ally Israel for two-state solution, but Netanyahu has no interest—his approach leads to cycles of violence and repression, not sustainable peaceCLOSING:- Eight town halls completed, six more confirmed- Website: bradmeyer.org- Primary election: May 5th

This episode features a direct, human conversation with Thomas D. Hall Jr., whose work in Indiana communities gives him a clear view of what families are facing and what real leadership requires. We talk about economic pressure, neighborhood safety, and rebuilding trust in systems that have failed too many people for too long. It’s an honest look at what it means to lead with empathy—and why Indiana’s future depends on it.

Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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progressiveindiana.net

madvoters.org

Scott Aaron Rogers and MADVoters Director of Advocacy Kaitie Rector review the final session of Indiana’s 2026 General Assembly, which adjourned sine die on Friday. The session was defined by the power of advocacy—from defeating redistricting at the beginning to killing the abortion pill bounty hunter bill, trans/non-binary legal erasure, early voting restrictions, and Ten Commandments in schools at the end. While numerous harmful bills passed (environmental deregulation, IPS takeovers, Medicaid/SNAP restrictions, ICE mandates, Christian nationalist curriculum, criminalizing homelessness), advocacy victories demonstrated that organized opposition can stop bad legislation even in a Republican supermajority. A bail amendment expanding judges’ authority to deny bail will appear on the 2026 ballot. Good bills that passed include child protection, childcare incentives, needle exchange extension, and hospital accountability. MADVoters will now focus on mobilizing voters for May primaries, supporting frontline democracy candidates, preparing voter guides, running their MADVoters Verified Politician (MVP) program, and participating in No Kings Day on March 28th.

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BILL-BY-BILL BREAKDOWN

5:18 - SB 277: ENVIRONMENTAL DEREGULATION (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Turns mandatory environmental protections into optional actions for IDEM

- Allows agency to choose if/when they respond to pollution or enforce regulations

- Passed 53-45 in House (15 Republicans joined 30 Democrats in opposition but not enough)

9:24 - HB 1033: JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Replaces Black voices on Marion County judicial selection committee with governor appointees

- Part of broader attack on Black democratic representation alongside IPS takeover

- Came out of nowhere with little warning

11:33 - HB 1423: IPS TAKEOVER BUREAUCRACY (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Takes powers from elected Indianapolis Public Schools board, gives to all-appointed board

- Creates new layer of bureaucracy

- Pro-charter interests make up board composition, quarter of Republican senators opposed but not enough

13:22 - HB 1343: IPS TAKEOVER (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Related IPS takeover bill that also passed

- Taxation without representation—appointed board not elected

- Fought from day one but passed on party lines

16:44 - SB 1: MEDICAID/SNAP WORK REQUIREMENTS (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Codifies Trump’s “big beautiful bill” federal requirements in strictest interpretation

- Tightens eligibility to kick people off SNAP and Medicaid even though fraud isn’t real problem

- Costs money in administrative workload, causes procedural disenrollment of eligible people

20:57 - SB 76: ICE COOPERATION MANDATE (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Perhaps most controversial bill of session forcing schools and organizations to comply with ICE requests

- Punishes sanctuary policies by withholding state funding

- Creates climate of fear in immigrant communities

24:25 - SB 88: CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE CURRICULUM (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Originally had Ten Commandments language (later removed)

- Kept language about waiting until marriage to have children as part of “good citizenship”

- Mandates colleges accept Classic Learning Test (unvalidated conservative Christian alternative to SAT/ACT)

27:29 - SB 200: PATHWAY FOR TURNING POINT USA (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Currently only applies to federal youth patriotic organizations like Boy Scouts

- Paves path for Turning Point USA if federal government grants them access

- Governor Braun wants partnership with Turning Point schools

30:13 - SB 239: CHARTER SCHOOL CONVERSION (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Makes it easier to convert existing public schools into charter schools

- Part of broader privatization push alongside IPS takeover bills

- Next layer of school privatization after winning voucher fight

30:54 - SB 285: CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Makes being homeless a Class C misdemeanor with up to $500 fine

- 60% of Indiana’s homeless population is Black—disproportionate impact

- Doesn’t address root cause, just criminalizes poverty

33:42 - BAIL AMENDMENT (PASSED - ON 2026 BALLOT)

- Constitutional amendment expanding judges’ authority to deny bail beyond murder cases

- Can now deny bail for “substantial risk subjects” if no release conditions protect community safety

- Concern about increased pretrial detention and jail overcrowding before people proven guilty

36:16 - HB 1001: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY (PASSED - MIXED)

- Intended to increase housing affordability

- More controversial than HB 1002, passed but not unanimously

- MADVoters didn’t take position due to potential amendments

36:16 - HB 1002: UTILITIES (PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY)

- Utilities-related budget bill

- Passed with broad bipartisan support

- Could have been better, but Democratic amendments rejected

40:05 - HB 1036: DCS IN-PERSON ASSESSMENTS (PASSED UNANIMOUSLY - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Requires DCS to conduct in-person assessment before closing investigation

- Ensures kids aren’t slipping through the cracks

- Bipartisan support

40:31 - HB 1177: CHILDCARE INCENTIVES (PASSED UNANIMOUSLY - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Incentivizes businesses to provide childcare

- Gives communities access to TIF revenue for childcare (treating it as infrastructure)

- Childcare workers still underpaid, childcare deserts still exist, but step in right direction

43:38 - SB 236: ABORTION PILL BOUNTY HUNTERS (FAILED - DIED IN HOUSE)

- Would have banned abortion pills and enabled $100,000 citizen bounty hunters

- Passed Senate quickly but House wouldn’t schedule it

- Major victory for reproductive rights advocacy

46:16 - SB 182: TRANS/NON-BINARY LEGAL ERASURE (FAILED - DIED IN COMMITTEE)

- Would have legally defined people as only XX or XY chromosomes

- Erased trans, non-binary, and intersex Hoosiers from legal recognition

- BMV still subject to executive order banning gender-affirming state ID’s

49:49 - SB 4: LIBRARY DEFUNDING EVOLVED (PASSED AS GOOD BILL)

- Originally would have given local government budget control over libraries (defunding threat)

- Concerning language removed after advocacy, moved to HB 1406 which passed anyway

- Ended with good provisions: fiscal impact analysis of executive orders, child care voucher funding

- Library funding concern now in HB 1406 passed via conference committee

51:47 - SB 91: NEEDLE EXCHANGE EXTENSION (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Extends syringe exchange program to 2031 (originally 10 years, whittled to 2, bumped to 5)

- Reduces spread of HIV and hepatitis, destigmatizes addiction, improves health outcomes

- Passed despite Republican fear-mongering about increasing drug use

52:39 - SB 225: HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY (PASSED - AWAITING SIGNATURE)

- Increases oversight of hospital business practices

- Protects patients from aggressive debt collection

- Requires more advanced notice of hospital closure (weaker than failed SB 85 but still good)

53:27 - EARLY VOTING REDUCTION (FAILED - BILL KILLED)

- Amendment filed after public comment to reduce early voting from 28 to 16 days

- Would have affected primary election weeks away with counties already planning

- Advocacy killed entire bill after massive pushback—defined session’s power of advocacy

54:59 - TEN COMMANDMENTS IN SCHOOLS (FAILED - KEPT GETTING REMOVED)

- Language appeared in multiple bills mandating Ten Commandments display in public schools

- Original bill died, language moved to another bill, got pulled out again

- Win for religious freedom (freedom of AND freedom from religion)

57:39 - WHAT’S NEXT FOR MADVOTERS

- Focusing on mobilizing voters for May primaries (voter education, engagement, registration)

- Supporting candidates on frontlines of democracy with needed resources

- No Kings Day March 28th participation

- Political engagement department creating voter guides and education materials

- Running MADVoters Verified Politician (MVP) program for general election

- Entirely volunteer-powered—reach out at madvoters.org to help

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progressiveindiana.net

indianaruralsummit.org

beinvolved.bloomington.iu.edu/organization/collegedemsatiu

Three young Democratic organizers discuss building the next generation of Indiana political leadership at the kickoff of Indiana Rural Summit’s campus tour. Ben Baranko (freshman), Isaac Chapman Whitehead (junior), and Zach Harrison (grad student in social work) explain their political awakenings and organizing experiences. They address how growing up under Trump has shaped them, why young men shifted right in 2024, and the importance of competing everywhere. Harrison highlights the Rural Summit’s success: 91 of 100 State House races and all 25 Senate races have Democratic candidates following January’s historic candidate filing event—the largest in decades. The campus tour connects students with candidates across Indiana universities (upcoming stops at Purdue, Ball State, IU Kokomo). The panel also hears from Michael Syczylo representing his wife Carrie’s House District 60 campaign and House District 62 candidate Amy Oliver.

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BREAKDOWN

1:44 - INTRODUCTIONS AND POLITICAL AWAKENINGS

- Ben Baranko: Freshman, student engagement director, co-hosts Next Gen Indiana podcast, got involved with Indivisible Central Indiana during 2024 election

- Isaac Chapman Whitehead: Junior, IU Dems president, interned for Trish Whitcomb in May 2024, competed everywhere including non-competitive races

- Zach Harrison: Grad student in social work, Rural Summit youth director, first became politically aware at age 7, came from Hoosier Action with Michelle Higgs

7:24 - BEN: HOW HAS GROWING UP UNDER TRUMP SHAPED YOU POLITICALLY?

- Has energized him despite “dark place”—looks to past democratic wins for inspiration of what’s possible

- “There is this ideal America we can all be working towards...this true democracy, this true freedom”

- Hasn’t made him cynical though it’s understandable—gives clear vision and goal to work towards

9:14 - ISAAC: WHY IS THE RIGHT OUT-ORGANIZING THE LEFT ON CAMPUS?

- It’s about guts—Democratic leaders lack clear vision and message for candidates to sell to students

- Points to NYC mayoral primary with highest youth turnout in history—candidate energized folks with compelling message

- Democrats doing it right focus on kitchen table issues that affect constituents’ daily lives

12:42 - ZACH: DO DEMOCRATS HAVE GUTS? ARE THEY SPINELESS/WEAK?

- It’s not just guts—it’s about giving rural voters the time of day, having candid face-to-face discussions

- Door knocking in rural neighborhoods: people ecstatic someone bothered to talk about marijuana legalization, renters’ rights, solar energy

- January filing day had largest gathering of Democratic candidates in decades: 91 of 100 House races, 25 of 25 Senate races filled

17:32 - BEN: WHY DID YOUNG MEN SHIFT RIGHT IN 2024?

- Republicans met young men where they are: on social media with effective personalities and economic messaging

- Young men want to feel they have spot in future workforce and economy—Democrats looked past that demographic

- Not heavy party affiliation—young men respond to who seems sensible/common sense and good on economy

20:49 - ISAAC: WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY IN SMALL TOWNS?

- Politically: electing leaders like Amy Oliver and Carrie Syczylo who will do the work in HD 60 and 62

- Policy: remote work initiatives, programs like Tell City paying people to move there

- Bold Democratic platform that messages common sense policies and talks to voters where they are

24:15 - ZACH: HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN OPTIMISM DESPITE CLIMATE CRISIS?

- Seen neighbors organize on data centers, marijuana, renters’ rights—people stepping up who’ve never been engaged before

- Hope and anger propelling social justice forward regardless of circumstances, party language falling away in local conversations

- Rural Summit raising $30,000 for 20 interns at $1,500 each—long overdue investment in next generation of leaders

28:14 - MICHAEL SYCZYLO PRESENTATION (CARRIE’S HD 60 CAMPAIGN)

- Representing wife Carrie running for House District 60 in Martinsville

- Got involved because politics directly impacted every aspect of their lives—personal, business, daughters’ careers

- Fighting data centers in Minervia, community tired of not having voice or seat at table

32:02 - AMY OLIVER: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF CAMPAIGNING?

- Running for HD 62: all of Brown County, rural Monroe and Jackson counties

- Extrovert who gets energy from talking to people about important issues, not interested in “soap opera” small talk

- Grew up at dinner table with newspaper editor father and teacher mother talking about the world

34:14 - AMY: WHAT ARE PEOPLE’S BIGGEST CONCERNS IN YOUR DISTRICT?

- Public schools under attack—”starvation of public schools” not “school choice”

- Money follows child to private/charter schools with no accountability, no audits, don’t know where tax dollars go

- Rural schools facing declining enrollment from demographic shifts, families can’t afford to live in rural communities

44:02 - AMY: CLOSING WORDS?

- At tipping point, people realizing what’s happening and motivated to make change

- Need to raise awareness about extremism of Indiana legislature’s Republican supermajority

- Need 34 Democrats in House to break supermajority (would love 51 to flip chamber)

progressiveindiana.net

indianaruralsummit.org

beinvolved.bloomington.iu.edu/organization/collegedemsatiu

Progressive Indiana Network is subscriber-supported independent media. To help us continue bringing you special events like this, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.