Brett Clark

Healthcare One in five Hoosiers are dealing with a mental illness and we must continue working toward solutions. 988 is already moving, that's someone to call. We are working on someone to send. The final piece will include somewhere to go. This must be a priority and allow for mental health care for everyone regardless of their zip code. Getting this right is critical and will not only make Indiana better but safer. Jails should NOT be our de facto mental health system. Environment / Energy Parks and forests matter. Ag land preservation matters. It is our heritage. Water is fundamental to not only our farmers, but our entire way of life. The time to start making sure we have good water policy is not when it's too late. Ask some of the western states how critical this is. We need to work toward a water plan, much like communities do with their comprehensive planning efforts. The new LEAP project has brought the issue of water to the forefront and we must keep this conversation moving. Brett Clark will lead on Indiana water rights and conservation. Education Parents should have the ultimate say when it comes to how their children are educated. Choice here is key and Indiana is a national leader. Every child is unique and no one knows your child better than you. Education shouldn't be a one size fits all model. Ultimately, our goal should be to support our kids and their parents while recognizing good teachers for the heroes they are. Infrastructure / Transportation Most of us simply want to drive to work or school and not have to worry about the condition of our roads and bridges. In Putnam County, there are currently eleven bridges closed. In Hendricks County, the growth is almost outpacing our efforts to keep up. We must look for ways to improve and be more efficient. We must work with all of our partners and stakeholders. This will require a lot of study and a long term plan, but we can get there. Criminal Justice / Public Safety One of the most fundamental duties of our government is to provide for public safety. Brett Clark spent thirty-three years as a sworn law enforcement officer and Sheriff. Indiana has approximately twenty-four thousand people in our prison system but no former Sheriffs in either chamber of our legislature and only a few members with any law enforcement experience. Public safety, corrections, and mental health issues are some of the most challenging and important ones that we face. Brett Clark will be able to contribute to these conversations on day one. Taxes / Budget Indiana 2023- SB3 (public law 163) created a committee to take a deep dive on our state financial condition. They will look at pension obligations, reserves, taxing methods, budgets, and expenses among other issues. No easy task. The committee was charged with producing a report no later than December 1, 2024. We should use this information to plot a course forward with an eye toward finding efficiencies, smaller government and lowering taxes, especially for our seniors and those on fixed incomes. These discussions won't be easy but if we are to keep Indiana competitive, while maintaining an affordable quality of life, we must have them sooner rather than later. Guns Article 1, section 32 of our own Indiana Constitution provides that the people shall have the right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the state. Indiana is a permitless carry state that still provides cost free permits for interstate reciprocity. We need to stand together to make sure our rights are protected. Abortion / Contraception Brett Clark is pro-life and believes it is critical to love both babies and their mothers. Let's support moms and make it possible for them to raise their children. Let's support babies by removing barriers to adoption and giving them the opportunity to live and be raised in a loving home. Let's support loving families who want to adopt. We can do this.