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Healthcare
3.67
Economics
4.00
Candidate Name
Stephanie Jo Yocum
District
State House District 88
Values
Grade
Values
Party
Democrat
Experience
Challenger
Grade
Democracy
3.67
Accessibility
3
Governance
4
Cost
Choice
4
4
Freedom
Voting
4
3
Community
3.67
A
Overall Grade
Education
4.00
Affordability
Equity
Opportunity
4
4
4
Environment
Public Safety
Inclusion
3
4
4
Stability
Funding
Belonging
4
4
4
Notable Information
Candidate Name
Candidate for:
State House District 88
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)
The proposed Medicaid cuts will have serious consequences for Hoosiers. They will decrease access to care, put additional financial strain on hospitals and providers, and will ultimately drive up healthcare costs for everyone. Rural hospitals, community health centers, and families are already struggling. In HD88 small providers are shutting down or laying-off medical providers and staff.
If elected, I will fight to protect access to affordable healthcare by opposing policies that shift costs onto Hoosier families and by supporting state investments that preserve essential healthcare services. I will advocate for policies that strengthen our healthcare workforce, including addressing the growing shortage of primary care providers and OB-GYNs, expanding access to maternal healthcare, and reducing barriers that prevent providers from practicing in Indiana. The loss of providers in our state increase costs - we have to address this and the issues, like reproductive health, that are driving these losses.
Healthcare is an economic issue, a quality-of-life issue, and a human rights issue. Every Hoosier deserves access to affordable, high-quality care, regardless of their zip code or income. I will work to ensure Indiana responds to these federal changes by protecting patients, supporting providers, and putting the health of Hoosier families first.
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)
While we may be "business-friendly" we rank near the bottom in quality of life. When has it become acceptable to give up Hoosier quality of life for corporate profit? Data Centers are a big issue in HD88 and much of the conversation centers on three questions 1) who gets to decide as it relates to data centers (local control vs. state control); 2) who benefits from these data centers; and 3) what will the impact on our resources and cost of those resources be?
Indiana should not hand over our land, water, energy grid, and tax dollars to large corporations without clear accountability and meaningful local input. AI data centers may bring investment, but they also raise serious questions about utility demand, water usage, farmland loss, tax abatements, infrastructure costs, and whether local communities will actually benefit.
If elected, I will support a framework that requires real transparency and accountability BEFORE deals are approved, including public disclosure of projected energy and water use, infrastructure needs, environmental impacts, and any proposed tax abatements or incentives. Communities should know what they are being asked to give up and what they are actually getting in return.
I also believe local voices must come first. State government should not override local decision-making or pressure communities into accepting large industrial projects that may not fit their long-term needs. Local officials, residents, farmers, and small businesses deserve a real seat at the table.
Indiana can welcome economic development while still protecting Hoosiers. That means requiring responsible planning, fair agreements, environmental safeguards, and accountability when corporations receive public support. Growth should strengthen communities, not leave families, farmers, and local governments carrying the costs.
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 using tax payer dollars to fund private schools or any other schools that are not held to the same standards and expectations as public schools. Protecting Public Schools is one of my top priorities AND it is one of the top issues I hear when talking to folks in my district. We have great schools here in D88 but recently some have had to layoff teachers and support staff. We will have a referendum on the ballot. Districts are looking ahead to significant funding shortages even IF their enrollment continues to grow. One Superintendent in D88 sent out a mailer naming that “SEA1 has created funding challenges," while my opponent is sending mailers saying that he has helped “increase k-12 funding by $640 million dollars." We know that means he has taken $640 million AWAY from public schools to funnel it into private schools.
Public schools are the foundation of our communities. They educate the vast majority of Indiana students, serve every child who walks through their doors, and are often the largest employers and community hubs in our towns and neighborhoods. When public schools are forced to cut programs, increase class sizes, or eliminate services, the impact extends far beyond the classroom, it affects families, workforce development, property values, and the long-term economic health of our communities. We are seeing that play out in real time in my district.
As a legislator, I would advocate for funding policies that prioritize public schools and provide them with the resources necessary to meet student needs. This includes ensuring state funding keeps pace with enrollment and inflation, fully funding special education and student support services, and fighting against any program that diverts taxpayer dollars away from public schools without the same accountability and transparency requirements.
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 one of the greatest challenges facing our democracy is the concentration of power in a way that reduces accountability and leaves too many Hoosiers feeling unheard. When one party holds overwhelming control, meaningful debate, compromise, and oversight become more difficult. At the same time, we have seen increasing efforts to blur constitutional boundaries—including the separation of church and state—and a political environment that too often relies on fear, division, and resentment instead of bringing people together to solve problems.
If elected, I will work to restore trust in government by listening to constituents, being transparent about my decisions, and approaching every issue with a commitment to the Constitution. I will defend local control, protect individual rights and liberties, and oppose efforts that use government to divide Hoosiers or undermine equal treatment under the law.
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 role of state and local governments should be to keep our communities safe, ensure due process is respected, and provide essential public services, not to divert local law enforcement resources away from the need in our communities.
I oppose policies that seek to score political points by targeting immigrant communities or creating fear. When people are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or send their children to school, our entire community is less safe.
I believe Indiana should focus on strengthening our schools, supporting our healthcare system, and growing our economy, not spending taxpayer dollars on duplicative immigration enforcement that is the responsibility of the federal government or that doesn't treat people with fairness, humanity, and respect.