Welcome to another edition of “What Have I been Up to and Why?” Just kidding, but I think I might stick to “The Hump Day Update” instead of just calling it a campaign update. I’ve been trying to work out a good routine, to include weekly updates, and having a regular day of the week will help me hold myself accountable to that end.
As mentioned in my previous update, I have been continuing to help the folks in Montezuma in whatever way I can, but they are doing so well, and I often find myself reflecting on whether or not I am adding any value to their efforts. As a Senator, I know that there’s a lot I could be doing to help them, but the challenge for me lately has been finding how I can help them as just a candidate. It has occurred to me, though, that sometimes it is not the role of a leader to do. Sometimes, it is the role of a leader to encourage, teach, and support others to be good leaders, and I think I’m going to lean into that more going forward.
I was able to get my Education Policy and video out for the world to see, but there were some strong reactions to my support of private and charter schools. That being said, I just posted a follow up to help clarify and explain my position a little better. I’ve also been working hard on updating my healthcare plan and adapting it from a nationwide plan to a state-level plan. Considering that it was little more than an outline a couple weeks ago, and now it’s about 70-75% of the way to being a committee-ready legislative proposal, it’s fair to say I’m making solid progress.
The Town Hall by the League of Women Voters on the Impact of Property Tax Reduction on Local Government has really opened my eyes to the reality that schools are not the only ones suffering from bad public policy in the State House. The property tax reform bill (SEA1) is likely to hurt everybody to some degree. In the same manner in which public schools are suffering now, I would expect to see all local governments to be suffering to some degree, especially in smaller communities, over the next few years. What’s worse is the reform won’t actually reduce property taxes. It will only slow down the rate in which they increase, and not by near enough to justify the kind of cuts that will need to be made to make it happen.
I was happy to attend the second public forum by We the People Indiana Revival. This time, they hosted candidates running for the Indiana State House of Representatives. There were some pretty recognizable names in attendance, such as Sheila Klinker, Tracy Brown, and Chris Campbell. There were also several newbies to the political arena; a couple of which even showed potential.
Looking ahead, I’ll be releasing my short form video of the Education Follow Up tomorrow, and kicking off what I’m calling my RoundTable Tour on the first day of Spring (March 20th) in Otterbein, IN. It’ll be my first solo event in a series of events that will take me to each city, town, and population center in my district. If you know how far our district stretches (from Tippecanoe almost all the way to Terre Haute), you know that will be no easy task. The goal is simple, though: To better understand and align myself with the ever-evolving needs of the People of District 23.
Well, time to get the kids off to bed. Until next time, 23, have yourselves a better-than-great weekend. I’ll be thinking about ya.
Genuinely,
Joshua Brant
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