ADVISORY: State Rep. Gregory W. Porter To Address Defunding of Martin University on CNN Saturday Morning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indiana Democratic Party

Contact: Sam Barloga, 219-671-8662

[email protected]

January 31, 2025

ADVISORY: State Rep. Gregory W. Porter To Address Defunding of Martin University on CNN Saturday Morning

INDIANAPOLIS - State Rep. Gregory W. Porter will be a guest on CNN's First of All with Victor Blackwell tomorrow morning at 8:15 AM ET to address state funding being eliminated for Indiana's only Predominantly Black Institution, Martin University, in Governor Mike Braun's budget proposal.

Rep. Porter has been leading the efforts to stop Governor Braun's attacks on Hoosiers of color in his first days in office. Governor Braun has eliminated programs that help Hoosiers of color, such as funding for court interpreters and higher education in his anti-DEI executive orders.

Rep. Porter and members of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus launched a protest rally at the Statehouse to oppose these measures during Governor Braun's first State of the State Address on Wednesday.

"The active intervention to end or attack anything in the budget that gives state dollars to people of color is sickening. I won't mince my words: It's racist. Black Hoosiers and other minorities pay taxes, so we deserve to benefit from the state budget as much as our white counterparts," said Rep. Porter in a press release on the defunding of Martin University. "Martin University is Indiana's only predominately Black institution. The only reason why it's not an official HBCU is because it's relatively young. Now they will receive zero state dollars, which is a complete cut from 2023. He also cut the College Success Program, which encourages minority and first-generation, low-income students to attend college. That means a total of $10 million in support for minority students has been eliminated."

WHO: State Rep. Gregory W. Porter

WHAT: Appearance on CNN's First of All with Victor Blackwell.

WHEN: Saturday, February 1 at 8:15 AM ET.

WHERE: CNN

###