Many Hoosiers expect their state government to be responsive to the needs of Indiana’s most vulnerable. Yet, Republicans on the State Budget Committee last week refused to direct state surplus funding to food banks and low-income individuals and families amid the federal government shutdown.

What is the point of having more than $2 billion in surplus when Indiana residents go hungry? What is the benefit of a state budget that forecasts more than $400 million in surplus for this fiscal year when more than 571,000 Hoosiers’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are reduced?

“Now that we have been called to officially convene the 2026 legislative session in early December, there’s no excuse about the mechanics of how to move dollars to fund food banks,” Democratic Sen. Fady Qad

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