r/columbusIN

Indiana voters faced a key question in this month’s primary: Are local politics still local? For six Republican state senators, the answer was a resounding no. President Trump still dominates the Republican Party, and his endorsements in Indiana proved it. Trump’s show of power will have lasting consequences for our state.

First, Bartholomew County: what are we doing? Less than 20% turnout for an election that garnered national attention is embarrassing. Democracy only works when people show up. Three of Bartholomew County’s four Statehouse representatives will now have leaders that demonstrated they are willing to cave to outside pressure. We can do better.

The current makeup of Indiana’s Senate has acted as a brake on increasingly partisan (and often dumb) legislation. That may now change. I suspect the Senate’s first move will be to replace the President Pro Tem, making it easier to pass more partisan bills. Senator Rodric Bray was early to push back against mid-decade redistricting because he knew the Senate didn’t have the votes (and it was dumb). And when he called a vote because of mounting pressure… the Senate didn’t have the votes (again, dumb). In turn, the legislative calendar was shortened, leaving more important issues unaddressed.

Now, expect another push to redraw Indiana’s congressional maps ahead of 2028 in favor of Republicans. Never mind the Congress does literally nothing, regardless of which party is in power. They’ve given up all powers to the executive: student loans, tariffs, etc. Perhaps the most recent egregious abdication of power has been the war in Iran. The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais earlier this month has renewed calls for Indiana to act. I agree that race should not determine representation, but we also have rules and norms: maps are drawn once a decade, after the census. That was the whole reason most Indiana senators opposed redistricting. Ironically, forcing Democrats into Republican districts could backfire and flip those seats blue. 

Next, expect efforts to close Indiana’s primaries. Right now, voters do not register by party to participate. There have already been calls to restrict primaries only to registered party members to prevent “meddling.” This argument would have more merit if taxpayers weren’t funding both elections. If parties want private elections, they should pay for them. Until then, let people vote. Plus, over 2,000 voters participated in the Democratic nomination for Indiana Senate District 41… which was unopposed. Partisanship begets partisanship, I guess.

Here’s the bottom line: Senator Greg Walker’s loss will be devastating for our community. If Michelle Davis is willing to break rules and norms for the sake of superfluous partisan power, what else will she cave on?

Our country continues on the path of decline, state by state. Classical liberalism and federalism are failing in favor of postliberalism and populism. Our Founders would be ashamed. The Republican Party, the party of Lincoln and Reagan, can do so much better. God is testing Indiana. Are you listening? This month’s election results tell me no.

For more, check out my Substack.

This election is about the direction of this country. I will fight for a stronger future for all of us.

For details, see https://bradmeyer.org/

WHAT WE FACE
Working people are doing everything right and still falling behind as the basic promise that hard work leads to a better life continues to break down. The daily reality for most is a race against rising costs, where wages stall while housing, food, and transportation consume nearly 60 percent of every paycheck.

This reflects a system where the rules have changed in ways that weaken workers’ financial security while protecting those at the top. Worker productivity has surged by over 60 percent since 2000, but workers have seen only a fraction of that gain in their paychecks. This gap between effort and reward has left 60 percent of adults living paycheck to paycheck, while 37 percent are one $400 emergency away from falling behind.

WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE
The balance in our economy has shifted away from workers and toward those who profit from their work. Real wages have not kept pace with the wealth workers are helping create, leaving households unable to absorb even small unexpected expenses. This insecurity is compounded by a tax code that places a heavier burden on work while deliberately giving an advantage to income that comes from wealth.

As worker bargaining power has been weakened, job quality has declined and families have lost the ability to build savings or move ahead. As core expenses take up more of each paycheck, gaps in overtime protections and restrictive contracts like non-compete agreements keep workers stuck and limit their ability to move ahead.

HOW WE GET IT DONE
We will make sure hard work actually pays, protect wages from being undercut, and create real paths to get ahead. 

Wages and Worker Power
• Establish a $20/hour national minimum wage.
• Raise the non-exempt salary threshold for overtime to $100,000.
• Expand eligibility for overtime pay.
• Pass the PRO Act to protect the right to organize.
• Ban restrictive barriers like non-compete agreements.

Fair Taxes
• Make the first $20,000 of all income tax-free.
• Tax capital gains for top earners as regular income.
• Eliminate tax loopholes used by the ultra-wealthy.
• Increase funding for tax enforcement on high-income evaders.

Lower Costs and Household Stability
• Directly reduce the cost of higher education.
• Roll back tariffs that drive up the daily cost of goods for families.

Growth, Infrastructure, and Workforce Alignment
• Invest in national broadband and physical infrastructure.
• Restore full funding to the Small Business Administration.
• Invest in vocational training and robust workforce pipelines.
• Align immigration policy with actual workforce and economic needs.

What a great, albeit chilly, morning at the Spring Blossom Parade in Nashville this morning. It was great to see so many faces, hand out candy, have a little froggy fun and engage in many a great conversation. Thanks for a great morning.

https://www.bradmeyer.org/intro-video/