Policy Advocacy

When Hoosiers are financially stable, they can achieve their full potential and better contribute to their communities. We recognize that historic and ongoing discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ability, and other social identities contribute to economic inequities for Hoosier families, and we know that policy plays an important role in dismantling inequities and in creating financial well-being for all. Our policy work, then, encompasses:

Foundations

Certain needs form the base from which Hoosiers can plan for a bright, successful future. These include health, housing, and transportation as well as the education and training necessary to seek family-sustaining employment and, for families, quality, affordable child care. We focus on policies that support access to these foundations:

  • Safe, Stable Housing
  • Reliable and Affordable Heat, Water, Electricity and Internet
  • Transportation
  • Physical and Mental Health Services
  • Education and Skills Training
  • Child Care

Good Jobs

Hoosiers consistently tell us that a top need in their communities is good jobs with higher wages and benefits. We promote public policies that establish basic wage and job quality standards, including:

  • Family-Sustaining Wages
  • Insurance and Savings Options 
  • Paid Leave
  • Reasonable Accommodations & Job Safety
  • Fair Scheduling

Strong Personal & Public Safety Nets

While employment is an important pathway to financial well-being, work alone does not always provide enough income to meet basic needs. There are also times Hoosiers cannot work due to lack of opportunities, caregiving obligations, health needs, or other barriers. Assets such as home equity and emergency savings can provide a buffer against dips in income, while a strong public safety net must be available to ensure that Hoosiers that lack assets or sufficient income can still afford the basics. Our safety net work encompasses access to:

  • Asset Development Opportunities
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Tax Credits
  • Work Sharing and Unemployment Benefits

We also work on program effectiveness through strategies like:

  • Mitigating the Cliff Effect

Financial Drains

While we must be attentive to the income side of the financial stability equation, we must also watch out for financial drains and create policies to protect Hoosiers from these resource-depleting sources. Our policy work in this area includes: 

  • Payday and Other Forms of Predatory Lending
  • Student Loans
  • Debt Collections
  • Medical Debt

A Fair Tax Code

When it comes to taxes, Hoosiers want to see that each person and business is contributing their fair share to the services and supports we need to have quality of life and quality of place. A fair tax code means: 

  • Everyone Pays Their Fair Share
  • Investments in Families, like Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
  • Sufficient Revenue to Fund Needed Infrastructure & Services