https://progressiveindiana.net
In this week’s Concerned Clergy town hall meeting, Pastor David W. Greene Sr. and Rev. Tony Alexander discuss two critical issues facing Hoosiers: Secretary of State Diego Morales partnering with Turning Point USA to conduct voter registration drives in high schools (raising concerns about partisan indoctrination using taxpayer resources and lack of equal access for other groups), and INDOT’s proposal for a toll road across I-70 charging $15.60 for passenger vehicles and $84 for truckers. The toll road discussion reveals how working and middle-class families already struggling with rising utility bills, property taxes, and affordability challenges face yet another financial burden. Callers emphasize that the middle class is “tapped out” and being squeezed from all directions while political leaders from both parties remain complacent due to low voter turnout. The Turning Point USA discussion focuses on the inappropriate use of state resources for partisan political purposes, the hypocrisy of removing DEI and Black history education while allowing Charlie Kirk’s ideology into schools, and concerns about legal challenges to stop this taxpayer-funded indoctrination. The hosts stress the importance of civic engagement, voter registration, and holding elected officials accountable through voting.
WHAT’S INSIDE
00:02:20 - Opening and Prayer
• Rev. Alexander and Pastor Greene welcome listeners
• Prayer for military, Iran situation, national/state/local leaders
• Two agenda items tonight: Morales/Turning Point and I-70 toll roads
00:04:03 - Preview: Two Major Concerns
• Diego Morales using Turning Point USA / Charlie Kirk in high schools
• INDOT requesting federal funding for I-70 toll road across state
00:05:01 - I-70 Toll Road Proposal Details
• Toll road from Illinois border to Ohio border
• $15.60 for passenger vehicles, over $84 for 18-wheelers
• Marion County roads terrible but now adding toll costs
00:08:34 - Toll Roads Will Spread
• If I-70 gets toll, I-65 and I-69 will follow
• Truckers already complain about Indiana road conditions
• No guarantee toll money will actually fix roads
00:12:45 - Affordability and Middle Class Squeeze
• Working families already stretched on utilities, gas, property taxes
• Toll roads add another burden on top of existing costs
• Seniors on fixed incomes making difficult choices
00:15:17 - Federal Cuts and State Priorities
• Losing federal money for education, HUD, housing, SNAP
• Toll revenue for Governor Braun’s priorities before re-election
• Won’t help Marion County—not how he wins elections
00:16:32 - Caller Jim: Middle Class Tapped Out
• Middle class paying for everything, basically tapped out
• Need accountability—remove politicians without integrity
• Politicians get pensions and benefits on backs of working people
00:18:21 - Voting and Accountability
• Low voter turnout lets both parties become complacent
• Only way to create accountability is voting
• People don’t know who voted for what or why
00:20:24 - Rising Costs Compounding
• Gas prices rising due to oil tanker access issues
• Higher gas = higher grocery prices (domino effect)
• Healthcare costs also climbing—difficult times
00:26:05 - Commercial Break and Prayer
• Reminder to call in at 317-480-1310
• Prayer about monks walking from Texas to DC for peace
• Commercials
00:30:46 - Return from Break: Turning Point Focus Begins
• Returning to Concerned Clergy Radio Show
• Shifting focus to Secretary of State concerns
• Caller Jim made important points about accountability
00:31:37 - Diego Morales Turning Point Initiative
• Fox 59 reporting: Secretary of State tapping Turning Point USA in high schools
• Pairing voter registration with poll worker recruitment
• Republican strategy—Governor Braun aligned with president, removed DEI/Black history
00:34:04 - Hypocrisy: Blocking Facts, Allowing Indoctrination
• Can’t teach slavery facts but Charlie Kirk ideology allowed
• State money only for Turning Point—no equal access for other groups
• How is using taxpayer dollars for one partisan group legal?
00:36:32 - Legal Challenges and Trump Connection
• Pastor Greene hoping for lawsuits—should be illegal
• Trump had Charlie Kirk’s widow at State of the Union
• Shows coordination between national and state Republican strategy
00:40:12 - Caller Guy: Need Courts for Relief
• Must go to courts to stop this bullying behavior
• Charlie Kirk twists facts and Christianity
• Mentions James Tallarico (Texas) as counter to MAGA agenda
00:45:30 - Continued Discussion of Partisan Schools Access
• Extended conversation about Secretary of State favoritism
• Question of appropriate use of public education
• Concerns about indoctrination vs civic education
00:50:15 - Equal Access and Election Integrity
• All groups should have equal access to Secretary of State resources
• Partisan favoritism undermines election integrity
• Taxpayer money shouldn’t fund one ideology
00:55:40 - Voter Registration Importance
• Check Indiana voter portal to ensure registration
• Stay informed about what’s happening in legislature
• Bills often hidden in other legislation
01:00:15 - Closing and Call to Action
• Vote in every election to hold leaders accountable
• Check voter registration status
• Concerned Clergy continues weekly town hall
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