10/21 Torchbearer Weekly Policy Update
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- Trump’s Border Czar Visits Indiana, Backs Stymied Immigration Bill
- Stellantis Announces $13B Investment in US Facilities, Including Kokomo
- Indiana is a Step Closer to a New Grading System for Schools. Here’s the Latest Draft.
- US Chamber of Commerce Sues Trump to Block $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas
- AES Cuts Proposed Rate Increase in Half After Talks with Indianapolis, Major Employers
- Most Indiana Kids Who Need After-School Programs Can’t Access Them, Report Finds
- Indiana Seeks Federal Waiver to Streamline Education Funding, ‘Align’ Accountability
- Share the Torchbearer Newsletter with Your Network!
- Important Dates
Trump’s Border Czar Visits Indiana, Backs Stymied Immigration Bill
White House Border Czar Tom Homan visited Indiana to promote the FAIRNESS Act and urge lawmakers to pass the immigration bill previously stalled.
Why it matters: The bill aims to strengthen immigration enforcement and protect local communities by ensuring compliance with federal detainer requests and penalizing employers who hire unauthorized workers.
- It reflects ongoing efforts to tighten border security and address illegal immigration impacts on local economies and public safety.
Driving the news: Homan highlighted significant achievements under President Trump's administration, including reduced border crossings and increased deportations, while accusing the previous administration of neglect.
- The event, initially public, was moved to a closed session in the House chamber, sparking protests outside.
What’s next: The bill's author, Rep. J.D. Prescott, plans to reintroduce the legislation in the next session starting January.
- Supporters, including Gov. Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita, emphasize its importance for Indiana's security and economy. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Stellantis Announces $13B Investment in US Facilities, Including Kokomo
Stellantis announced a $13 billion investment over four years to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity, aiming to increase domestic vehicle production by 50% and create over 5,000 jobs.
Why it matters: This significant investment enhances Stellantis' manufacturing footprint in the U.S. and supports local job growth.
- The initiative will introduce five new vehicle models, including a Dodge Durango and a midsize truck.
- New jobs will be spread across plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
The big picture: Stellantis aims to offset $1.7 billion in expected tariff costs on cars produced in Canada and Mexico by boosting North American profitability.
- The company plans to launch 19 refreshed products and updated powertrains through 2029.
What's next: Stellantis will relaunch previously discontinued models like the Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Charger to strengthen its market position. (IBJ)
Indiana is a Step Closer to a New Grading System for Schools. Here’s the Latest Draft.
State education leaders in Indiana are proposing a new school grading system that emphasizes student achievement and skill development over test scores.
Why it matters: This shift aims to create a more comprehensive and individualized assessment of student success, encouraging schools to focus on each student's growth rather than merely boosting overall test averages.
- Schools will assign points for academic mastery and additional skills, such as workforce credentials and communication abilities.
The big picture: Indiana schools have not been graded since 2018, and this new model seeks to provide a clearer, more transparent evaluation system.
- The proposed framework allows students to earn points for progress even if they're not yet proficient, and includes incentives for schools to support students at risk.
What’s next: The State Board of Education is set to vote on this framework by December 2025.
- Public feedback is being gathered online until November 17, with a hearing on the same day at the Indiana State Library.
Go deeper: The blend of academics and skills represents a significant departure from previous models, emphasizing a holistic view of student success. (Chalkbeat Indiana)
Here is the second draft rule and the Department of Education’s presentation.
US Chamber of Commerce Sues Trump to Block $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the Trump administration over new $100,000 fees for H-1B visas, claiming they violate the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Why it matters: The high fees could make it prohibitive for startups and small businesses to access the global talent pool, impacting sectors like tech and healthcare which rely on these visas.
- The Chamber argues that the policy is "misguided" and "unlawful," pushing for the court to block the fees.
The big picture: The lawsuit highlights the tension between business interests and the administration's immigration policies.
- While the administration claims the fees ensure quality, critics say it restricts access to skilled foreign workers.
What’s next: As the lawsuit unfolds, businesses are left uncertain about future hiring.
- The policy does not affect current visa holders, but new applicants face a lottery system with steep costs.
Go deeper: The Chamber's action underscores the broader debate on immigration reform and its impact on the economy. (Washington Post)
AES Cuts Proposed Rate Increase in Half After Talks with Indianapolis, Major Employers
AES Indiana has proposed to cut its planned electricity rate hike in half for residential customers, delaying further increases until 2030.
Why it matters: The proposal, following bipartisan backlash, aims to ease consumer concerns by reducing the impact on household budgets.
- The rate increase is now expected to add about $10 to the average household's monthly bill by 2027.
- Consumer advocates remain opposed, arguing that even the reduced hike is too high.
The big picture: The initial rate hike proposal sparked significant outcry from both residents and politicians, who deemed it excessively large.
- The new plan requires approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in spring 2025.
What’s next: The IURC will begin evidentiary hearings in the coming months, with public participation limited to written comments from witnesses.
- The Citizens Action Coalition and Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor continue to push for further rate reductions. (Indianapolis Star)
Trump Immigration Plan May Wipe Out 15M Jobs by 2035, Study Claims
The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is projected to reduce the U.S. workforce by 6.8 million people by 2028 and by 15.7 million by 2035, per a study first shared with Axios.
Why it matters: Fewer workers in the labor force could have dramatic effects on the U.S. economy, from lower economic growth to reductions in the nation's goods and services produced.
The big picture: The drop in workers could alter the nation's projected demographics and make it difficult to revive manufacturing jobs — or to attract workers in health, agriculture and energy as the population ages.
- Projected new workers entering the workforce wouldn't fully make up the difference, leading to the net reductions, per the National Foundation for American Policy, a Washington, D.C.–based think tank that focuses on trade and immigration.
Zoom in: The study estimates that, of the projected decline in U.S. workers by 2028, 2.8 million would stem from legal immigration changes and 4 million from illegal immigration crackdowns.
- Roughly a third of the 15.7 million fewer workers in 2035 would result from policies on legal immigration.
State of play: President Trump, since taking office, has promoted stepped-up enforcement by the U.S. Border Patrol, and by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeting undocumented immigrants.
- The most significant targets in Trump's crackdown include immigrants who've had temporary protection to stay in the U.S. — more than 1.2 million people who fled wars, oppression, natural disasters and poverty.
- Legal immigration changes also include a pause on refugee admissions, a 2025 travel ban, and new limits on international student work programs.
The other side: White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Axios in a statement that Trump's agenda to create jobs will capitalize on "untapped potential" while enforcing immigration laws.
- "There is no shortage of American minds and hands to grow our labor force," Jackson said.
- Jackson added that over one in ten young adults in the U.S. are neither employed nor in higher education nor pursuing vocational training.
- In April, President Trump signed an executive order "to modernize American workforce programs to prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future."
What to watch: The Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement would decrease average annual GDP growth by about half a percentage point between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2035, the study warned.
- The analysis also concluded that the immigration policies would raise the federal debt.
- The study's findings result from estimating the loss of workers through 2028 and 2035 under the Trump administration's immigration policies, using the Congressional Budget Office's publicly available tools to examine the impact.
Caveat: The analysis doesn't factor in the likely economic hit from limiting U.S. companies' access to high-skilled foreign workers through new rules and administrative actions, which the study notes could also slow productivity growth.
What we're watching: The administration has set a goal of deporting a record 1 million immigrants each year — even though the highest number of removals by ICE in a single fiscal year was 409,849 in FY 2012 under Obama.
- The National Foundation for American Policy warns that if Trump were to achieve one million annual deportations, the likely effect on the labor force would be larger than what this analysis suggests. (Axios)
Most Indiana Kids Who Need After-School Programs Can’t Access Them, Report Finds
Five in six Indiana parents who want an after-school program for their child can’t find one, mainly due to cost, transportation, and limited options, according to new survey data from the Afterschool Alliance.
Why it matters: After-school programs offer a "safe, structured" environment post-school hours, essential for child development and parental peace of mind.
- 411,972 Hoosier children lack access, impacting parents' ability to work.
By the numbers: Only 83,820 Indiana children are enrolled in after-school programs, despite demand from parents of nearly half a million kids.
- Programs cost families about $76.90 weekly, with Indiana kids spending 5.8 hours per week in them.
What they're saying: “Every child deserves access to quality after-school programs,” said Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance.
- 89% of Indiana parents support more public funding.
What's next: Greater support from governments, businesses, and philanthropy is needed to bridge the gap. (Inside Indiana Business)
Indiana Seeks Federal Waiver to Streamline Education Funding, ‘Align’ Accountability
Indiana is requesting the federal government's permission to overhaul its use of education aid, aiming to align with federal law and give schools more flexibility.
Why it matters: The state wants to prioritize student learning over federal bureaucracy, potentially impacting how schools manage their resources.
- The changes would take effect in the 2026-27 school year if approved.
- Indiana officials argue the new system would reduce compliance costs, freeing up $2.2 million annually for educational priorities.
Streamlining federal programs: The proposal includes consolidating funds from over 15 federal programs into a single block grant.
- This approach mirrors Indiana's management of COVID-era relief funds, which the state claims was more efficient.
Rethinking school improvement funds: Indiana's plan includes creating an “Education Innovation Grant” to replace the federal School Improvement Grant.
- Officials believe this change will better address underperformance in schools and promote student-centered solutions.
Teachers’ union urges caution: The Indiana State Teachers Association warns that the waiver could weaken oversight and divert resources from those most in need.
- Despite this, state leaders see the proposal as a commitment to innovation, aiming to empower local decision-making and reduce bureaucratic barriers. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
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Important Dates:
Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight: Monday, October 27th at 1:00 pm
Interim Study Committee on Commerce and Economic Development: Wednesday, October 29th at 10:00 am
Code Revision Committee: Thursday, October 30th at 10:30 am
State Fair Advisory Committee: Thursday, October 30th at 1:30 pm
State Board of Education Meeting: Wednesday, November 5th at 9:00 am
Government Reform Task Force: Wednesday, November 5th at 1:30 pm
Strategic Energy Growth Task Force: Monday, November 17th
Organization Day: Tuesday, November 18th