Suzanne Crouch, Lt. Governor and Republican candidate for governor
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch stopped by the Daily Reporter to further discuss policies she has campaigned on as she runs for governor of Indiana and some common topics she hears about as she travels across the state.
Just in the last week, Crouch listed the multiple stops she had made, ranging from Lake County in Northwest Indiana to ending her week in Hancock County for the Lincoln Day Dinner. During her travels, Crouch said an underlying theme she has heard is how Hoosiers are struggling due to inflation and the rising cost of living.
Crouch mentioned that it costs $11,400 more today than three years ago to meet basic household needs.
“People are struggling and they’re hurting and they’re having to make decisions, you know, on do they pay the rent, do they buy the groceries?” Crouch said.
She says that this is where her initiative Axe the Tax would come into play, which would work toward eliminating the state income tax. Crouch said that if the state income tax were eliminated then that would be a chance to give an average of $2,000 back in Hosiers pockets to be able to use as they see fit. Crouch said that by giving those funds back, they then can also be put back into the economy which will grow other revenues.
“I’m the only candidate that is saying we can eliminate an income tax or any kind of tax, and I’m talking about a tax cut. I’m not talking about a tax replacement,” Crouch said. “So my opponents say ‘You can’t do it. It’s too much money as a gimmick.’ But as former Vice Chair House Ways and Means Committee, as former auditor of the state, we can do it.”
Crouch said that by limiting government growth, ending wasteful government spending and finding efficiencies in government, they could move toward getting rid of the state income tax. In the past decade, Crouch said the state government spending has grown by 50%, but by limiting future growth and working towards being a no income tax state, that would help small businesses and attract people to live in Indiana. As far as a timeline of when the elimination of the state income tax would happen, Crouch said she has a goal of accomplishment before she leaves the office.
Alongside wanting to lower the costs for the growing population in Indiana, Crouch is focusing on making mental health and addiction a priority because of the rise in numbers since COVID.
Crouch said there has been a a 20% increase in anxiety and depression among the population but a 60% increase among young people. Also, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people.
“They are the future of Indiana. And it’s why if we ever have a situation like COVID again and I am governor, we won’t have mass mandates for lockdowns because what it’s done to all of us but particularly to our children, and so as governor, helping those that struggle making health care more accessible and affordable will be a top priority for me,” Crouch said.
Crouch said that since then they have been working to make sure there are multiple response teams in different areas of the state, so when someone is in crisis, there is someone near to help.
Crouch highlighted Senate Enrolled Act No. 1 that was passed in 2023 and authored by Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield), which put in place the infrastructure and the funding mechanism for the 988 Suicide Hotline and established mobile response teams to go out and help people that are in crisis.
Crouch said she even testified for that piece of legislation, which is highly unusual for governors and lieutenant governors to do, but she felt so passionate about the topic, having family experiences with those who have struggled.
“So when you see Hoosiers that struggle because of genes they inherit, none of us pick our genes. You know, to me, that’s where I want to help. And as governor, that will be a top priority for me,” Crouch said.
Talking about other issues, Crouch mentioned addressing the fentanyl crisis at the southern border by continuing to send National Guard troops and helping ensure safety at Indiana borders with local law enforcement.
Crouch said she would want to work on a Midwest state compact that would work with other states’ law enforcement agencies in the Midwest to help track and stop the flow of the illegal drugs, and then look at increased penalties to help stop “the revolving door on the criminal justice system.”
Crouch also said, as Secretary of Agriculture, she “plays hardball” to prevent China from being able to buy farmland, specifically near military sites. According to her campaign website, “the Indiana State Department of Agriculture is conducting a farmland loss study to determine how much land has been lost and to who.”
After discussing specifics on what she plans on doing in office as governor if elected, Crouch said she’s running for governor because she cares deeply for Indiana and for Hoosiers.
“It’s why I want to make a difference for Hoosiers, and I don’t want to spend four years sitting in an office playing it safe so I can get reelected,” Crouch said. “I’m going to be bold. I want to be transformative and want to make a difference.”
