Blue 812 News Issue 28 - July 6
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.” — Thomas Jefferson
NATIONAL NUTCASERY
MAGA murder budget passes
On Thursday afternoon, House Republicans passed the MAGA murder budget 218-214. Only two Republicans, Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick, joined every Democrat in opposition. Right after voting in favor, Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) announced his resignation. Couldn’t have gone out with ‘no’?
IndyStar had a breakdown of how this bill will affect Hoosiers:
Fewer Hoosiers could qualify for Medicaid and SNAP
The Senate's version of the bill decreases the cap on taxes paid by hospitals that Indiana relies on to fund the Healthy Indiana Plan, our Medicaid expansion program. In mid-June, state leaders warned that the plan to reduce the tax from 6% to 3.5% would make the state unable to afford the current costs of HIP.
In the final days of Senate negotiations, lawmakers added a $50 billion fund to support rural hospitals and appease senators who were concerned about Medicaid cuts, but it's unclear how much Indiana will get from that fund.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also establishes work requirements for adults receiving Medicaid, and expands the age limits on work requirements for adults receiving food stamps.
Hoosier adults who are eligible for Medicaid must work a minimum of 80 hours a month starting in 2026. Almost 2 million Hoosiers are currently on Medicaid according to FSSA, and a 2024 Census data analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows 72% of adults on Medicaid in Indiana are working.
the working-age threshold raises from 55 to 64 for adults receiving food stamps, so older Hoosiers will have to work longer to receive nutrition assistance. In April 2025, more than 588,000 Hoosiers received SNAP benefits.
Independent of the federal Medicaid provisions, Indiana already passed work requirements for the Healthy Indiana Plan, so the federal requirements may not have a huge effect. As of July 1, the state has yet to submit a waiver request to the federal government to establish the work requirements lawmakers approved earlier this year. Bureaucratic limbo: the perfect place to bury accountability.
Saving expiring 2017 tax cuts
According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, an expiration of the 2017 tax cuts would result in Hoosiers paying $1,936 more starting in 2026.
Because the bill goes beyond the 2017 tax cuts with additional provisions like a temporary deduction for seniors and making auto-loan interest deductible for US-made vehicles, an analysis from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, another nonpartisan group, estimates that Hoosiers earning over $144,000 would receive the largest tax cuts.
According to the U.S. Census, the median household income in Indiana is $70,000. Hoosiers with that income might see about a $1,700 tax cut in 2026, or a little over 2%. I’d rather have PBS.
Eliminates clean energy tax credits
Hoosier homeowners will lose out on thousands of dollars in incentives for clean energy upgrades under the bill. Home upgrades and improvements such as solar panels or battery installations can be costly, but the current 30% credit on purchases in existing law is helping offset costs.
Many of the existing incentives sunset in the 2030s, but under the Senate-passed legislation, they will now all expire by mid-2026.
In addition to more expensive energy-efficient upgrades, advocates told IndyStar they are concerned about how ending these credits could impact the more than 4,000 solar jobs in the state.
Short-term tax breaks on tips and overtime
Hoosiers who regularly work overtime or in industries that receive tips may receive short-term tax benefits on those dollars under the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Specifically, the bill makes up to $12,500 worth of overtime pay ($25,000 for joint tax filers) tax deductible, or for Hoosiers working in tipped industries, their first $25,000 in tips. Both provisions would expire after 2028.
About 40% of tipped workers make so little that they already pay no federal income tax, so for many servers, bartenders, and salon workers, this “tax cut” is like giving a coupon to someone who already gets the item free.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, the top 20% of earners in tipped professions could get an average tax cut of $5,768, while the bottom 20% would only see $74. Since the same bill also slashes Medicaid, SNAP, and ACA subsidies, tipped workers could end up with even less of their paychecks.
texas-sized tragedy
The catastrophic flooding in central Texas, especially along the Guadalupe River near Kerr County, has become one of the deadliest weather disasters in recent state history. A massive storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain in just a few hours early Friday morning, causing the Guadalupe River to surge 26 feet in under 45 minutes, overwhelming campgrounds, homes, and roads. The region’s dry, compact soil couldn’t absorb the water, creating perfect conditions for flash flooding. Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for 7-17-year-old girls, was hit especially hard—16 campers are confirmed dead, 11 children and one counselor remain missing. The camp director also died attempting to save campers.
Over 850 people have been rescued so far. Rescue crews have pulled survivors from trees, rooftops, and debris fields using helicopters, boats, and drones, and President Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, unlocking FEMA aid and federal resources.
The tragedy has reignited debate over weather alert systems, infrastructure, and even summer-camp safety protocols. While the National Weather Service issued warnings, many residents say the alerts came too late or were inadequate.
If you’d like to donate to flood relief, the Texas Progressive Caucus and the Texas Democratic Party have partnered to create Hill Country Flood Help. 100% of donations go to supplies and vetted charities helping victims in Kerr County and surrounding areas.
If you’d rather give directly to victims, crowdfunding platform GoFundMe launched this hub where donors can search for Texas flooding fundraisers verified by its team.
STATEWIDE SHENANIGANS
college crackdowns
Indiana’s higher ed just got a full MAGA makeover, and the IU Board of Trustees is now basically a donor rewards program with a campus mailing address.
Indiana public colleges are slashing up to 20% of their degree programs Why? Because Governor Braun and his budget buddies decided that if a program doesn’t churn out enough graduates, it’s not worth saving. The new rule: at least 15 graduates every 3 years for a bachelor’s program, 7 for a master’s, 10 for an associate’s.
I’ve seen a lot of talk about this online, but can I talk folks down from the ledge a bit? At least at ISU, most of those programs were already closed. Recreational Therapy, for instance, was suspended in 2023. If you read the full list of programs, yes, it’s daunting. But the VAST majority are slotted for elimination or merging. I can’t imagine IU would close its Special Education program - I can see it merging with another department. But maybe I’m naive! I do hate that the state is involved at all.
In other education news, Gov. Mike Braun appointed three new members to the Indiana University Board of Trustees, effective immediately, on July 1.
Dr. David Hormuth: Cardiothoracic surgeon with four IU degrees and a $1,611 donation to Republican PACs, including $1,000 to Sen. Todd Young. Also tossed $15 to ActBlue, probably by accident.
Marilee Springer: Corporate attorney and GOP donor. She gave $2,100 to Indiana Republicans and WinRed in 2024. Her specialty? Tax law. Her vibe? Tax cuts for billionaires, not tuition relief.
Isaac White: Student trustee from Kelley School of Business. No donation records yet, but give him time.
Braun has now personally picked six of the nine trustees, turning IU’s board into a political clubhouse with a side of donor perks. At least we know how cheap it is for a seat to destroy a state flagship university.
LOCAL FOCUS
commission coincidence
Several City Council members hope to create a Historic Preservation Commission, but its ordinance, co-sponsored by five City Council members and crafted with the input of members of the Historic Neighborhood Coalition, adheres too closely to the state code’s template, leading to an ‘unfavorable’ rating from Area Planning. “This is a terrible ordinance for the city of Terre Haute,” plan commission member John Hanley said, decrying the notion that an “unelected [historic preservation] commission” could take “complete control of the city.”
Though the historic preservation ordinance appears to be a response to a request by Gibson Development to rezone property on Ohio Boulevard near Deming Park to accommodate apartments, which neighboring residents vocally opposed, City Council President Todd Nation denies that. “Although the timing might make it look like this is a response to the Ohio Boulevard situation, it’s really more of a coincidence than a causality,” he said. “The Historic Neighborhood Coalition has been working on advancing a Historic Preservation ordinance all this year, predating the Ohio Boulevard proposal’s becoming public…This is an issue that many of us, myself included, have been trying to advance for many years.” More at TribStar from Yahoo!
GOOD TROUBLE
from catsonacouch Instagram: For those that don't know, the entire point of our cat account is to have more followers than JD Vance and to make sure he doesn't know a moment's peace for the next four years at least. Well, whenever we're able, we like to spread the petty around, and today we're spreading it to the Heritage Foundation.
Did you know that the Heritage Foundation allows people to register for their upcoming events using a contact form, and that you could put whatever you wanted in the contact form, and it accepts it? Use a private browsing tool if you'd like, but it's a non-government form, and if you don't accept cookies, they shouldn't be tracking activity. Waste their time and fill their forms with bad data.
BONUS GOOD TROUBLE STILL AVAILABLE FOR VIP MISCHIEF-MAKERS:
The BMV is trying to sneak in new rules that would ban all gender-marker updates on ID cards, in a move to target transgender and other gender diverse Hoosiers for discrimination! Be polite but clear, and let them know you OPPOSE this senseless, discriminatory move. Indiana Youth Group has created this webform, or you can write in directly with the info in last week’s newsletter. All written comments must be submitted by JULY 18.
RESOURCE CENTER
Last week, MADVoters launched their latest advocacy series, Time's Up. This series dives into the impact of 20 years of single-party rule in Indiana. After two decades of controlling Indiana's policies, priorities, and budget, time's up! Indiana is ready for change.
Click through for a great, easy-to-understand explainer about what’s happened to our state in the last 20 years. It also includes the Summer of Solidarity conversation guide I linked last week, and good explainers on the civic process in the Hoosier state.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nasty Women - Vigo County calendar | Indivisible Wabash Valley calendar
Tuesday, July 8th at 3pm: Mingle with the Mayor at Grand Traverse Pie Company. At this informal and relaxed gathering, various topics will be covered each month with opportunities to ask questions and voice concerns. Free pie and coffee will be served courtesy of Clinton Gardens.
Tuesday, July 8th at 5:30 pm: Vigo Dems Night at the Fair photo & ice cream social. Photo will be PROMPTLY at 5:30.
Sunday, July 13th at 2pm: Craftivism in the Park at Fairbanks Park. “Join us! Let's make art, not war! 2-4PM - Every 2nd Sunday of the month! Use our supplies or bring yours to share. Refreshments on us, first-come, first-served. Family-friendly vibes encouraged. All ages & skill levels welcome! Can't wait to see you there!!” Register here.
Tuesday, July 15th at 5pm: Indiana Nasty Women - Vigo County meeting at the Vigo County Public Library in meeting room A.
Tuesday, July 15th at 6:30pm: Indivisible - Wabash Valley meeting at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1875 Fruitridge Ave.
SAVE THE DATE: John Lewis Day of Action Thursday, July 17th possibly Fairbanks Park. Look for more information soon from Indivisible Wabash Valley
END ON A HIGH NOTE
Flint, MI finished replacing their lead pipes.
ICEBlock, an app that alerts users to nearby ICE presence, has launched to the top of the App Store. Apple only.
Parisians have begun swimming in the Seine for the first time in over 100 years after a ban was lifted.
Ten out of 12 patients with Type 1 diabetes didn’t need insulin for a full year after receiving experimental stem cells. A small study, but exciting!
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down a 176-year-old abortion ban in a 4-3 vote led by liberal justices. This ruling is a reminder that Elon Musk spent millions attempting to elect a conservative judge to this court… and failed. Money well spent!
The Trump administration cannot categorically deny entry to people at the southern border to claim asylum, a federal judge ruled in a 128-page opinion. It’s a major slapdown of a rule change Trump made on his first day in office. Score one for the rule of law.
Trump's time in the White House runs out in:
Excellent newsletter! Very helpful. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼