ISSUES
Hoosiers deserve leaders who focus on practical solutions that strengthen families, support our communities, and make government work better for the people it serves. Michele Henry is running for the Indiana House to bring common sense leadership to Indianapolis and ensure that the priorities of District 72 residents come first. From lowering utility costs to protecting our public schools and ensuring responsible economic development, Michele is committed to policies that put Hoosiers first.
DATA CENTERS
Indiana has become a hotspot for massive data centers, thanks to generous tax breaks for large corporations, many of them based out of state. But local families are starting to ask an important question: Who is really benefiting?
Communities are seeing higher electricity demand, concerns about water use, and potential long-term environmental impacts. At the same time, taxpayers are footing the bill through sales tax exemptions with very little oversight once these facilities are built.
I believe we need to put Hoosiers first. That means repealing the special sales tax break for data centers and putting a temporary pause on new projects so lawmakers and the public can fully understand the impact on local communities. Companies that want to operate in Indiana should meet strict transparency and reporting standards and be accountable to the people who live here.
ARTICLES ABOUT INDIANA DATA CENTERS
Utility Costs
Families across Indiana are feeling the squeeze from rising electric, gas, and water bills. No one should have to choose between paying their utility bill and putting food on the table.
When families are at risk of shutoff, they should be able to access assistance quickly and without unnecessary red tape. And during extreme heat or freezing temperatures, there should be a clear moratorium on shutoffs to protect public health and safety.
I will work to lower costs by placing clear limits on what utilities can pass on to consumers. That includes preventing companies from charging ratepayers for excessive corporate expenses and requiring full transparency about how they spend Hoosier dollars. If a utility operates in our state, it should answer to the people it serves.
Strengthening Public Schools
Indiana’s voucher program has grown into the largest in the country, with no income limits and few guardrails. Meanwhile, our public schools continue to face funding challenges.
Vouchers send hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to private schools that are not held to the same standards as public schools. They are not required to follow the same transparency rules, and they have more flexibility to deny admission to students, including those with disabilities.
I believe public dollars should strengthen public schools. It is time to rein in the voucher program and require any school receiving taxpayer funds to meet the same accountability, transparency, and student protections that public schools follow. Hoosier families deserve fairness and strong neighborhood schools they can rely on.