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Healthcare
3.00
Economics
3.33
Candidate Name
Alex Wait
District
State House District 5
Values
Grade
Values
Party
Democrat
Experience
Challenger
Grade
Democracy
3.67
Accessibility
3
Governance
4
Cost
Choice
3
X
Freedom
Voting
3
4
Community
3.00
B+
Overall Grade
Education
3.33
Affordability
Equity
Opportunity
4
3
3
Environment
Public Safety
Inclusion
X
X
3
Stability
Funding
Belonging
4
3
3
Notable Information
Candidate Name
Candidate for:
State House District 5
Democrat
Challenger
Notable Information
MADVoters Survey Responses
Healthcare: The Big Beautiful Bill is projected to cut $31 billion from Indiana’s Medicaid funding, including almost $13 billion in hospital funding, over the next decade. What will you do if elected to ensure healthcare affordability and access given these changes? (Source: Indiana Hospital Association)
Unfortunately, we are not going to be able to significantly address this problem as long as the Republicans own a trifecta and supermajority in Indiana's state government. That being said, there are policies we can push for and actions we can take to soften the blow of Trump's horrible bill. As part of the BBB, Indiana was awarded nearly $207 million dollars from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. That is a small drop in the bucket compared to the expected funding losses but if we break the Republican supermajority, Democrats will finally be able to influence where and how our state's money is spent. With a seat at the table, we can make sure that money is sent where it needs to go as well as provide oversight and accountability. Our goal should be to minimize the pain for rural and overstretched communities. As State Representative, I will also push for the legalization of cannabis which will add much-needed tax dollars to our state's coffers. There is at least a dozen states which use a fraction of cannabis tax dollars to fund public health initiative including Republican-led states such as Montana, Alaska, and Arkansas. I'm glad to see Governor Braun opening the door to legalization here but the process is not moving fast enough. This is an easy, no-brainer way to put badly-needed money into our healthcare system. I understand these are imperfect solutions. But we have to use the resources at our disposal to keep our local hospitals afloat until we can vote in better representation. Luckiy, we have an opportunity to do just that this November.
Economics: AI and data centers are having a huge impact on jobs and communities across the nation, particularly in Indiana. What is Congress’s role in addressing this developing technology? What action will you take to hear and represent the concerns of Hoosiers on this topic?
Economics: Dozens of AI data centers are planning to come to Indiana, drawn by the state’s “business-friendly” reputation. How should Indiana manage these large industrial site proposals and their potential impact on communities? (Source: Citizens Action Coalition)
I support development. In fact, I would love to see vacant land transformed into a community center where our kids can have access to a public pool, or a childcare facility to ease the burden placed on parents living in House District 5. That way our local union workers still get paid and our community gets something it needs. What we don’t need are the biggest corporations in the world constructing megaprojects near us that will increase the cost of living for Hoosiers. Even worse, it was our state government which invited companies to build these massive data centers in Indiana and made it easy for them to bypass local opposition. As State Representative, I will introduce a bill that will require companies to let local communities know exactly how much we will be spending for these projects BEFORE they break ground. No more NDAs, no more vague promises of donations to local schools, give us the hard facts in writing if you want to build in our community. We deserve a veto if a data center does not benefit us. I will also author a bill to strengthen Indiana’s biometric privacy laws that will require big tech companies to inform Hoosiers of their data collection policies and obtain consent. This will also define when and how your personal data will be used and destroyed by these companies. If all else fails and these companies continue to find loopholes to build their massive projects in our communities, I will call for a three-year moratorium on the construction of data centers in Indiana until we can study their economic and environmental impacts.
Education: Describe your stance on the Department of Education and its role in education administration, funding, and protections for students with disabilities.
Education: Since 2012, Indiana has spent over $5.5 billion in taxpayer dollars on charter schools and the private school voucher program. If elected, would you support or oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to funding private schools and charter schools? Why or why not? (Source: ICPE)
When the state government cuts money for schools, they are hurting our children. That’s simply a fact. This comes after years and years of funding cuts for our public schools which are killing our state. I do not oppose charter schools or private schools but I do oppose the Indiana Statehouse purposely starving our public schools of funding under the guise of "school choice." 90% of Hoosier kids attend public schools, their parents have already made their choice and it's time we support them by strengthening our public schools. Here’s what I propose:
- We cannot keep asking our educators to do more with less. We need to end this completely unnecessary war on our teachers and give them the support they are begging for.
- When funding cuts are made to our schools, the only way to make up for those budget shortfalls is for local governments to increase taxes which come out of your bank accounts. How about our state government funds our schools properly so taxpayers aren’t left holding the bag?
- As State Representative, I will vote NO on any more budgets or bills that cut funding for our public schools. Enough is enough!
Democracy: In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge or threat facing our democracy right now? If elected, what will you do to help overcome this challenge or threat?
I believe gerrymandering is the biggest threat to our democracy and one that is only increasing in scope. More states are choosing to redraw district lines for entirely partisan reasons and this race to the bottom will not end well for either party. Gerrymandering erodes trust in our elections, promotes extremist candidates, and discourages participation in elections voters view as predetermined. We have got to make it so career politicians can’t choose their own voters. As State Representative, I will introduce a bill to create a non-partisan redistricting commission to draw new maps for Indiana every ten years as required by Article IV, Section 5 of our state constitution. No more violating our constitution! This commission will be independent of the legislature and the governor’s office. It would be composed of members of both parties along with independent voters. Republicans and Democrats united to defeat Governor Braun's ill-conceived gerrymandering push last year. That should be a signal to Indiana politicians that everyday Hoosiers are sick and tired of this nonsense. We are ready for fair maps.
Community: Describe your stance on ICE and its role in immigration enforcement and detention.
Community: What role or responsibility do local and state governments have with regards to immigration enforcement?
The U.S. Constitution is clear that establishing and enforcing immigration law is a federal responsibility. However, that does not mean that the federal government can force local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. I believe that it is the right of any community to pass ordinances and laws which impact immigrant communities without stepping on federal jurisdiction. We have seen many communities in Indiana successfully exercise those rights without triggering legal battles with the federal government. Unfortunately here in Indiana, the Republican supermajority in the statehouse is trying to speak for all local government and force them to comply with ICE enforcement tactics whether they agree or not. AG Rokita recently attempted to sue our county sheriff for an alleged failure to cooperate with ICE. This baseless lawsuit was eventually thrown out but this is just one example of how far our current state government will go to trample the rights of local communities. This November, let's send a message to self-interested politicians like Todd Rokita that their attempts to steamroll the will of local government will not be tolerated.