In a political climate that often feels loud, reactive, and performative, I wanted to create space for a deeper and more grounded conversation. In this episode, I sit down with Indiana State Representative Cherrish Pryor to examine the pressing issues shaping life in House District 94 and across Indianapolis.
We begin with affordability, which continues to dominate conversations with constituents. Rising utility bills, escalating daycare costs, and the broader cost of living crisis are putting pressure on families. As a member of the utilities committee, Rep. Pryor discusses holding companies accountable for rate increases and expanding access to affordable childcare so parents can work without financial strain.
From there, we explore support for immigrant-owned businesses in the International Marketplace and the policies needed to ensure those communities feel protected and valued. Housing affordability and property tax pressures follow, with a focus on preventing displacement and increasing affordable housing stock in neighborhoods like Guion Creek.
Public safety, mental health funding, worker protections, minimum wage increases, and the strength of unions all enter the conversation as part of a broader discussion about economic dignity. We also examine civil rights protections, infrastructure autonomy for local governments, environmental quality, Medicaid expansion, and equitable public education funding.
Throughout our discussion, I focus on how state-level decisions directly affect everyday lives. This episode is about representation in practice, the balance between policy and people, and what it truly means to serve a diverse and evolving district in Indiana.
