Rep. Miller May recap
Dear neighbor,
My thoughts are with the three victims of the train crash in Ohio this week and their families. Ram Masan, 50, O Ny Zar, 34 and Intisar Mi, 5, were all from Fort Wayne. While we wait for more information to become available from the investigation, my family and I extend our deepest condolences and support to the families affected.
Indiana Energy Saver Program
Earlier this month, the Indiana Office of Energy Development announced the Indiana Energy Saver Program, which will work to cut Hoosier’s energy bills. Eligible applicants will receive a no-cost home energy audit to identify potential improvements. Audits will begin this summer. For more information and to apply, click here.
In a time when many Hoosiers are struggling to make ends meet, initiatives like this one can make a world of difference for those in need. I look forward to seeing the impact this program will have for Hoosiers in Fort Wayne and throughout the state.
State Will Independently Audit the IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) will be independently audited. Earlier this month, the state hired an independent firm, FTI Consulting, to perform a forensic audit of the agency and its affiliates. We also froze funding for the IEDC’s venture capital firm, Elevate Ventures, and spending from the IEDC’s nonprofit.
The forensic audit will take a magnifying glass to the IEDC’s financial records and business practices. They’ll also investigate potential misconduct, fraud or impropriety. It will take six months to a year for the consulting firm to complete the audit.
You can read more about the audit here.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Observed sine 1949, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Each year, Mental Health America releases a toolkit with a theme. The theme for 2025 is “Turn Awareness into Action.” This theme encourages people to move beyond understanding mental health issues and to actively engage in supporting those affected. A link to the toolkit is available here.
Mental Health Awareness Month is crucial since it educates people about available services, advocates for those who are struggling and reduces the stigma surrounding mental illness. A simple conversation can inspire someone to look for treatment options or mental health care. We must normalize the discussion as much as possible since nearly one in five U.S. adults has a mental health condition.
In Fort Wayne, there are resources available for those who are struggling, including the Maple Heights Mental Health Clinic and the Parkview Behavioral Health Institute. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can dial 988 to connect with a trained responder.
Congrats to Our College and High School Graduates!
Congrats to the Class of 2025! Graduation is a big milestone that starts a new chapter in young people’s lives. Whether you’re finishing up high school and headed to college or a trade or wrapping up a degree, I wish you success as you begin your post-graduation journey!
Indiana Opts Out of SUN Bucks Program
Sometimes, a child’s only reliable meals is their schools’ free or reduced breakfast and lunches. Last summer, Indiana participated in a federal program called SUN Bucks to support these kids during the summer. Each child received $120 per month to help cover the cost of food. This money can also be used for free summertime meals and meals-to-go programs. The SUN Bucks program served 669,000 children.
However, these children won’t get support this summer. Indiana opted out of the SUN Bucks program, even though it costs the state no money to participate. It’s unclear why the state opted out of this program. Thankfully, families can still get meals through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) food service locations. But eliminating the SUN Bucks program makes things hard for our families. Sometimes, rural areas only have one meal site per county. If you take a look at the nutrition map from the Indiana Department of Education, most meal sites are located around urban areas. Providing money to families directly gave them more flexibility so they’re not limited by grab-and-go meals, especially for children with allergies or severe dietary restrictions.
I’m saddened that Indiana opted out of this program. Grocery prices are skyrocketing, and I think now more than ever, we need to support our kids.
In service,
Rep. Kyle Miller