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Healthcare
4.00
Economics
3.67
Candidate Name
Michael Potter
District
State House District 47
Values
Grade
Values
Party
Democrat
Experience
Challenger
Grade
Democracy
4.00
Accessibility
4
Governance
4
Cost
Choice
4
4
Freedom
Voting
4
4
Community
4.00
A
Overall Grade
Education
3.33
Affordability
Equity
Opportunity
4
4
3
Environment
Public Safety
Inclusion
4
X
4
Stability
Funding
Belonging
3
3
4
Notable Information
Candidate Name
Candidate for:
State House District 47
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)
I will work with the Democratic House Caucus and across the aisle with those willing to draft legislation and budgets which replace some of that lost funding. Likewise, proper funding formulas and legislation are needed across the budget and taxing to ensure revenue is generated and spent in appropriate ways (education, infrastructure, non-elected government employee salaries, etc.). I expect this to be a job where I work for the people of Indiana. I will also work to support candidates up and down the ballot who also rebuilding our Medicaid funds.
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)
Indiana needs a moratorium on data center development to buy time to produce a data center management plan. We need to know what Indiana's overall roll should be/will be in data processing. With an overall understanding of Indiana's role nationally and globally, we can get an understanding of how many total data centers will be needed in the state and decide where the best locations might be (should they be clustered along telecommunications highways or evenly distributed across the state). From this understanding, power needs can be better understood and water needs can be better understood. With this knowledge, site selection can be targeted and managed. Communities can be informed of the general plans. The current shotgun approach is not working for the people of Indiana.
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)
I oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to fund private schools. We don't improve public schools by defunding them. That doesn't mean a blank check and no accountability. Failing public schools need to addressed and corrected. I can see a path to managing the largest public school systems/districts (like Indianapolis Public Schools) separately from the other 99% of Indiana public schools. The school system of a major metropolitan area is quite different than a small consolidated rural school. There does not have to be a one size fits all solution.
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?
The rule of law. As a society we continue to let certain people skirt the law and excessively enforce laws on other people. A name or a large bank account are no reason to allow people to ignore the rule of law. We need to close loopholes and enforce the law equally for all. Outdated laws should be removed and new laws dealing with new technologies and climate or immigration situations (new issues) need to be drafted. I think term limits on elected officials and the Supreme Court would help with the insider politics which lead to laws either targeting groups for some situations or overlooking groups for other situations.
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?
Hunting illegal immigrants IS NOT the job of local and state governments. If local and state governments come across illegal immigrants while conducting their normal business (like arresting they can let the person know of their status and let federal immigration enforcement know. Federal immigration enforcement can take it from there. Except in the case of significant criminal activity, I think an illegal immigrant should be released as another arrest might (misdemeanor type cases) and given time to correct their immigration status. Our overall immigration policy needs an overhaul. We need to support and encourage the proper channels of immigration.